Treatment of clozapine-induced agranulocytosis with recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Is clozapine-induced agranulocytosis amenable to treatment with recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rG-CSF)? Will this treatment provide benefits in terms of morbidity, mortality, and costs compared with current treatment?

METHOD:

Five patients with clozapine-induced agranulocytosis (granulocytes < 500/cu mm) were treated with the rG-CSF filgrastim, in addition to standard agranulocytosis therapy protocol.

RESULTS:

Time from onset until resolution of agranulocytosis was 8.2 +/- 2.1 days compared with a historical study of seven cases where filgrastim was not used and 15.7 +/- 3.7 days were required for resolution.

CONCLUSION:

rG-CSF (filgrastim) may be an effective and cost-reducing way to provide improved treatment for clozapine-induced agranulocytosis. More research is required.

• Authors: G Gullion, H S Yeh
• Journal: The Journal of clinical psychiatry (J Clin Psychiatry) Vol. 55 Issue 9 Pg. 401-5 (Sep 1994) ISSN: 0160-6689 [Print] United States
• PMID: 7523362 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Recombinant Proteins
• Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
• Clozapine
• Filgrastim

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Agranulocytosis (chemically induced, drug therapy)
• Clozapine (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Drug Administration Schedule
• Female
• Filgrastim
• Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Recombinant Proteins (administration & dosage, therapeutic use)
• Schizophrenia (drug therapy)
• Treatment Outcome