Myocarditis after administration of clozapine.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: Clozapine is an atypical antpsychotic medication with established efficacy in patients diagnosed of resistant schizophrenia. However, clozapine has multiple side effects. Cardiac complications such as myocarditis and cardiomyopathy have always been related with treatment with clozapine. METHODS: A 42 year old Caucasian male, with history of schizophrenia developed a acute myocarditis after commencement of clozapine. RESULTS: The patient recovered with intensive medical support. The symptoms occurred approximately 20 days after starting clozapine. CONCLUSIONS: Myocarditis is an ingreasingly recognized complication associated with clozapine. Use of clozapine must be based on a balance of its risks and benefits on an individual basis which for the most part defines its use in treatment refractory schizophrenia. Appropriate monitoring of adverse events is an essential part of the clinical usage of clozapine and should be charted for at least two years.