Clozapine: a mimicry of phaeochromocytoma.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To report a case of clozapine-induced hypertension with raised urinary catecholamines.

CLINICAL PICTURE:

A 27-year-old man fulfilling DSM-III-R criteria for catatonic schizophrenia was treated with clozapine. He later developed both hypertension and raised urinary catecholamines which mimicked phaeochromocytoma.

TREATMENT:

Clozapine was withdrawn.

OUTCOME:

Both blood pressure and urinary catecholamines normalised.

CONCLUSIONS:

Clozapine may induce sympathetic hyperactivity.

• Authors: J K Li, V T Yeung, C M Leung, C C Chow, G T Ko, W Y So, C S Cockram
• Journal: The Australian and New Zealand journal of psychiatry (Aust N Z J Psychiatry) Vol. 31 Issue 6 Pg. 889-91 (Dec 1997) ISSN: 0004-8674 [Print] England
• PMID: 9483266 (Publication Type: Case Reports, Journal Article)

Chemical References

• Catecholamines
• Clozapine
• Norepinephrine
• Epinephrine

Topics

• Adult
• Blood Pressure (drug effects)
• Catecholamines (urine)
• Clozapine (adverse effects, therapeutic use)
• Diagnosis, Differential
• Epinephrine (urine)
• Humans
• Hypertension (chemically induced, diagnosis)
• Male
• Norepinephrine (urine)
• Pheochromocytoma (diagnosis, urine)
• Schizophrenia, Catatonic (drug therapy)