title: Infection-associated clozapine toxicity.
abstract: Three case vignettes are presented documenting the rise in serum clozapine that occurred at a time of acute infection in these patients. The literature on this phenomenon is scant. The physiological processes that occur in the acute phase of the inflammatory response are summarized and provide an explanation of how clozapine levels may rise in response to infection. The risk of clozapine toxicity occurring in association with infections is highlighted.
authors: Department of Forensic Psychiatry, Capital and Coast District Health Board, Wellington, New Zealand. pdarling@xtra.co.nz
authors: Pam
authors: P
authors: Darling
authors: Mark Arthur
authors: MA
authors: Huthwaite
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity*; D002097:C-Reactive Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D003024:Clozapine / Q000493:pharmacokinetics / Q000627:therapeutic use / Q000633:toxicity*; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D004927:Escherichia coli Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D018410:Pneumonia, Bacterial / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D011605:Psychoses, Substance-Induced / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology*; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology; D014552:Urinary Tract Infections / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D002097:C-Reactive Protein; D003024:Clozapine