Korean Journal of Psychopharmacology  1998;9(1):91-97

Granulocyte-Colony Stimulating Factor(G-CSF) Treatment of Clozapine-induced Agranulocytosis.

Chuleung KIM 1 ; Sangeun SHIN

Affiliations

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Keywords

Clozapine; Agranulocytosis; G-CSF

Country

Republic of Korea

Language

Korean

Abstract

After 31 weeks of treatment with clozapine, severe agranulocytosis was diagnosed in a 35-year-old male schizophrenic patient. The patient was treated sucessfully with a granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF). The leukocyte court was 300/mm(3) on admission. After 10 days treatment with G-CSF, the hematological status normalized. Despite its clinical advantages, the use of clozapine has been limited by a propensity to induce agranulocytosis in 1-2% of the patients who are treated with this compound. In addition to case report, authors reviewed the indications for clozapine treatment and the present knowledge base regarding the incidence, monitoring and management of agranulocytosis. Unfortunately, clozapine-induced agranulocytosis cannot be prevented, so regular blood examination and education for patient and family member are very important and early treatment with G-CSF seems warranted in severe cases of clozapine-induced agranulocytosis.