Life-threatening constipation associated with clozapine.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this paper was to describe the association of clozapine with life-threatening constipation.


METHODS
Case report.


RESULTS
A 53-year-old man presented to the emergency department with severe abdominal pain and bilious vomiting after being on clozapine for over a year for schizoaffective disorder. Surgery revealed severe faecal impaction in the large and small bowel. Clozapine was ceased. There were significant difficulties in the subsequent psychiatric management. Clozapine was gradually reintroduced with concurrent laxative administration, which resulted in another episode of severe constipation with faecal impaction.


CONCLUSIONS
Clozapine can be associated with potentially life-threatening constipation. Psychiatrists, especially consultation liaison psychiatrists, physicians, surgeons and radiologists, should be aware of the seriousness of clozapine-induced constipation and its potentially fatal complications.
Consultation Liaison Psychiatry, Wyong Mental Health Unit, Wyong Hospital, NSW, Australia.
Sanil
S
Rege
Tim
T
Lafferty
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003248:Constipation / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005244:Fecal Impaction / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D054368:Laxatives / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D054368:Laxatives; D003024:Clozapine