Monitoring the safe use of clozapine: a consensus view from Victoria, Australia.
Clozapine is an important antipsychotic agent that has a unique profile of clinical benefits, but that has also been associated with several serious and potentially life-threatening safety concerns. In order to minimise the impact of haematological adverse events, health professionals treating patients with clozapine are currently required to register their patients on a centrally administered data network and to conform to strict protocols. The consensus statement documented in this article extends existing protocols by recommending monitoring of patients treated with clozapine for additional adverse effects during treatment. This consensus statement reflects the current practice at five major public psychiatric hospitals in Victoria, Australia, for the monitoring and management of clozapine-related adverse events, and has been implemented at these sites because of emerging safety concerns associating clozapine with cardiovascular and metabolic adverse effects.
Berk
Michael
M
Department of Clinical and Biomedical Sciences, Barwon Health, The University of Melbourne, Geelong, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Fitzsimons
Joanna
J
Lambert
Timothy
T
Pantelis
Christos
C
Kulkarni
Jayashri
J
Castle
David
D
Ryan
Elizabeth W
EW
Jespersen
Sean
S
McGorry
Pat
P
Berger
Gregor
G
Kuluris
Bill
B
Callaly
Tom
T
Dodd
Seetal
S
D000380:Agranulocytosis / Q000139:chemically induced; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000139:chemically induced; D006801:Humans; D006949:Hyperlipidemias / Q000139:chemically induced; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine