Clozapine-associated elevation in serum triglycerides.
OBJECTIVE
This study was conducted to determine serum lipid level changes in patients who received clozapine or haloperidol.


METHODS
Medical records of 222 inpatients treated with clozapine or haloperidol were reviewed. Age, weight, gender, daily antipsychotic dose, total cholesterol level, serum triglyceride level, and concurrent medications were recorded.


RESULTS
Clozapine-treated men had significantly higher follow-up serum triglyceride concentrations over baseline than did haloperidol-treated men. Female patients experienced serum triglyceride level elevations regardless of antipsychotic treatment. Changes in total cholesterol levels were not significantly different between treatment groups.


CONCLUSIONS
An increase in serum triglyceride levels occurred in clozapine-treated patients; screening for serum triglyceride elevations may be warranted before treatment with clozapine.
Gaulin
B D
BD
Department of Psychiatry, Worcester State Hospital, MA 01604, USA. bruce.gaulin@dmh.state.ma.us
Markowitz
J S
JS
Caley
C F
CF
Nesbitt
L A
LA
Dufresne
R L
RL
D000328:Adult; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006220:Haloperidol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006753:Hospital Records; D006760:Hospitalization; D006801:Humans; D015228:Hypertriglyceridemia / Q000139:chemically induced*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D014280:Triglycerides / Q000097:blood*
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D014280:Triglycerides; D003024:Clozapine; D006220:Haloperidol