Ethnic neutropenia and clozapine.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present paper was to examine the concept of benign ethnic neutropenia and to consider the implications of ethnicity in the current clozapine regulatory system.


METHODS
The case of a young Palestinian man who lost access to clozapine due to a fall in his neutrophil count, is presented herein, and a brief review of ethnic variations in neutrophil levels is given.


RESULTS
This patient's clozapine was ceased, with unfortunate consequences, despite his having normal immune function.


CONCLUSIONS
By using normative haematological data established in white populations, the Australian clozapine regulatory system places some non-white patients at a considerable disadvantage.
Bray
Amanda
A
Cumberland Psychiatric Hospital, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. abray@med.usyd.edu.au
D000328:Adult; D018692:Antimanic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018912:Arabs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000523:psychology; D001315:Australia; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D018020:Lithium Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008297:Male; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D009504:Neutrophils / Q000187:drug effects; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D028761:Withholding Treatment
D018692:Antimanic Agents; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D018020:Lithium Compounds; D003024:Clozapine