Clozapine-induced agranulocytosis in Japan: Changes in leukocyte/neutrophil counts before and after discontinuation of clozapine.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the prevalence, background factors, and progression of and recovery from clozapine-induced agranulocytosis in Japan.

METHODS

Data on treatment-resistant schizophrenia patients registered with the Clozaril Patient Monitoring Service (CPMS) between July 29, 2009 and January 20, 2016 were extracted. Patients with a neutrophil count <500/mm3 were defined as having agranulocytosis, and those with a leukocyte count <3,000/mm3 or a neutrophil count <1,500/mm3 but not meeting the criteria for agranulocytosis were defined as having leukopenia/neutropenia.

RESULTS

Of 3,746 patients, agranulocytosis and leukopenia/neutropenia were observed in 38 (1.0%) and 182 (4.9%) patients, respectively. Age was significantly higher in the agranulocytosis group (p < .001). Decreased leukocyte counts 1 week prior to discontinuation were observed only in the agranulocytosis group. The median number of days to recovery from agranulocytosis and leukopenia/neutropenia was 10 and 4, respectively, with more variation in the latter.

CONCLUSIONS

Although some patients with leukopenia/neutropenia might carry less pathologic significance, the results of this study reconfirmed the importance of regular blood monitoring for preventing agranulocytosis.