title: Leucocytosis in clozapine-treated patients as predictor of loss of treatment response?
abstract: Anecdotal evidence tends to suggest clozapine treatment as a cause of leucocytosis in schizophrenic patients, however, no conclusive evidence is available on this topic. We report the clinical cases of two schizophrenic men who were diagnosed with clozapine-related leucocytosis. The clozapine treatment was performed at a dose between 200 and 400 mg/day. When leucocytosis appeared, there was a loss of response to clozapine in both patients. Clozapine-induced leucocytosis in schizophrenic patients could be correlated to occurrence of psychotic symptomatology.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Naples SUN, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Vincenzo
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Prisco
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Naples SUN, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Teresa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Iannaccone
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Naples SUN, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Volpe
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Naples SUN, Naples, Italy.
authors.forename: Michele
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fabrazzo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D003024:Clozapine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D007964:Leukocytosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000175:diagnosis; D008297:Male; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine