![[dr. bob]](/dr-bob-sm.gif)
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 6 of 6. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by baseball55 on June 20, 2014, at 20:26:08
My nephew, who has schizophrenia, was finally stabilized on clozaril two months ago. He is now in the hospital with abnormal white blood cell counts. They removed some bone marrow from his back today to do tests. I know clozaril can be dangerous. Can anyone explain this to me?
Posted by SLS on June 21, 2014, at 8:51:47
In reply to clozaril, posted by baseball55 on June 20, 2014, at 20:26:08
> My nephew, who has schizophrenia, was finally stabilized on clozaril two months ago. He is now in the hospital with abnormal white blood cell counts. They removed some bone marrow from his back today to do tests. I know clozaril can be dangerous. Can anyone explain this to me?
In a minority of people (0.7%), Clozaril (clozapine) suppresses the production of granulocyte neutrophil white blood cells that normally occurs in the bone marrow. The mechanism behind this type of agranulocytosis is poorly understood, but may include genetic factors. Neutrophils are critical for the function of the immune system. Blood tests are required every two weeks to screen for agranulocytosis.
The purpose of the bone marrow tests is to screen for other reasons for the depressed numbers of white blood cells, including leukemia.
- Scott
Posted by Christ_empowered on June 21, 2014, at 9:14:39
In reply to Re: clozaril » baseball55, posted by SLS on June 21, 2014, at 8:51:47
maybe its time for something new? Sometimes, adding an anticonvulsant to a neuroleptic makes things better. Apparently, Remeron makes some antipsychotics work better, and helps with negative symptoms. Remeron can also help akathisia.
Antipsychotic polypharmacy is not well studied, but sometimes works. Abilify+loxapine is one combo I'm seriously considering asking my doc about.
Sometimes, higher than normal doses of atypicals can help. I don't know why. I seem to recall reading that high dose zyprexa has been found effective in some studies.
Posted by Phillipa on June 21, 2014, at 9:47:29
In reply to clozaril, posted by baseball55 on June 20, 2014, at 20:26:08
Baseball I am so sorry. Sounds like he is one of the ones that Clozaril just isn't the right med for. I saw so many miracles with this med when new. I do hope your nephew is okay and it's the med. Phillipa
Posted by baseball55 on June 21, 2014, at 20:20:11
In reply to Re: clozaril » baseball55, posted by Phillipa on June 21, 2014, at 9:47:29
He went home from the hospital today. I guess the bone marrow test ruled out leukemia. They stopped the clozaril last week. When I visited him, he was most concerned about finding a med that stopped the voices. Clozaril worked for him and other drugs have not worked.
Posted by Phillipa on June 21, 2014, at 23:03:13
In reply to Re: clozaril, posted by baseball55 on June 21, 2014, at 20:20:11
Glad no leukemia. But a shame he had to stop the clozaril as I watched it work on people that nothing had before and they resumed a pretty normal lifestyle. P
This is the end of the thread.
Psycho-Babble Medication | Extras | FAQ
Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.org
Script revised: February 4, 2008
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/cgi-bin/pb/mget.pl
Copyright 2006-17 Robert Hsiung.
Owned and operated by Dr. Bob LLC and not the University of Chicago.