inst psychotic symptoms without producing any clear-cut extrapyramidal side effects, and it shows an interesting activity against negative symptoms which are poorly treated by classical neuroleptics. Because of these features, Clozapine has been said to represent a great advance in the treatment of psychosis (Pitner, Mintzer, Pennypacker & Jackson, 1995; Koponen, Leinonen, Kuoppasalmi & Tiihonen, 1994).
Regarding clozapine treatment, Koponen, Leinonen, Kuoppasalmi and Tiihonen (1994) have noted that one of the medication's more serious side effects is agranulocytosis.
Agranulocytosis is a disorder of the blood in which the number of white cells is markedly reduced, usually resulting in the development of infected ulcers on the skin and in the throat, intestinal tract, and other mucous membranes. The condition is usually caused by something interfering with the production and release of white cells in the bone marrow.
Acute cases of agranulocytosis are characterized by chills, fever, and prostration. Because white blood cells are an important defense against invading microorganisms, agranulocytosis may cause a simple bacterial infection to become life-threatening.
A comprehensive review of the nature of clozapine and its success rates and side effects has been provided by Klimke and Klieser (1995) who report that clozapine is viewed by most psychiatrists and other relevant medical personnel as a prototype of an atypical neuroleptic; this because it has good antipsychotic efficacy but only rarely produces extrapyramidal symptoms. In addition, the authors note that clozapine tends to be highly effective in patients who are completely nonresponsive to classic neuroleptics.
Regarding the foregoing, Klimke and Klieser (1995) state that clozapine treatment improves the quality of life for one-third of treatment patients as well as reduces the costs of rehospitalization rates. However, they point out that the drug has...