Clozapine-Induced Agranulocytosis

Introduction to Agranulocytosis Risk

• Agranulocytosis occurs in approximately 0.4-1% of patients regardless of the dose administered, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 1
• The risk for seizures increases as the dose increases, especially with rapid dosage changes, occurring in approximately 3-5% of patients at higher doses, as noted by the American Academy of Pediatrics 1, 2

Patient-Specific Risk Factors

• Pediatric patients may have higher rates of agranulocytosis compared to adults, as reported by the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 1

Clinical Outcomes and Monitoring

• The agranulocytosis is usually reversible if clozapine is stopped immediately upon detection, according to the American Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry 1, 4
• Mortality from agranulocytosis has decreased to less than 10-15% with proper monitoring, down from 76% in the 1960s, as noted by the American Academy of Pediatrics 2