Side effects of clozapine in the treatment of psychotic disorders in adolescents: A retrospective study

Abstract

A retrospective study was conducted of 53 consecutive inpatients (through 1990) with psychotic disorders. The patients were between 13 and 18 years of age. In all cases this was the first time they had been treated with clozapine. The adverse effects seen under clozapine are discussed. During the use of clozapine assessments were made of liver enzymes, leukocytes, blood pressure and body temperature. There was an increase in liver enzyme values in 37.7% of the patients, leukopenia under 4000/mm3 in 15.1%, an increase in body temperature in 3.8% and bradycardia together with hypotensive dysregulation in 1.9%.