The safety and tolerability of clozapine in aged patients: a retrospective clinical file review.

OBJECTIVES

A clinical file review was conducted of clozapine use in three aged psychiatry services in Melbourne, Australia, to compare its safety and tolerability with findings reported in the literature.

METHODS

The review period spanned the intervals from 2008 to the services' origins between 11 and 15 years earlier. The files of all patients treated with clozapine during this period were checked with respect to adverse effects and the reasons for ceasing treatment.

RESULTS

Clozapine was prescribed to 75 patients (mean age 74.2 years, range 65-89) with doses ranging from 25-800 mg daily (mean 296 mg). Treatment was stopped within the review period in 37 (49%) cases. Reasons for discontinuation included death (n=14), non-fatal adverse events (n=12), patient choice (n=8) and other factors (n=3). While none of the 14 deaths could be linked directly to treatment, orthostatic hypotension might have contributed to a single fatal cerebrovascular accident. There were three cases of "red alert" leukopenia, none of which progressed to agranulocytosis. In general, side effects were more frequent than in a previous report concerning aged patients, most probably because clozapine doses were higher. CONCLUSIONS; Most of the adverse events leading to treatment cessation occurred within the first month, emphasising the need for slow titration. Strict monitoring procedures ensured that there were no fatal haematological adverse events.