Posted by SLS on June 21, 2014, at 8:51:47
In reply to clozaril, posted by baseball55 on June 20, 2014, at 20:26:08
> My nephew, who has schizophrenia, was finally stabilized on clozaril two months ago. He is now in the hospital with abnormal white blood cell counts. They removed some bone marrow from his back today to do tests. I know clozaril can be dangerous. Can anyone explain this to me?
In a minority of people (0.7%), Clozaril (clozapine) suppresses the production of granulocyte neutrophil white blood cells that normally occurs in the bone marrow. The mechanism behind this type of agranulocytosis is poorly understood, but may include genetic factors. Neutrophils are critical for the function of the immune system. Blood tests are required every two weeks to screen for agranulocytosis.
The purpose of the bone marrow tests is to screen for other reasons for the depressed numbers of white blood cells, including leukemia.
- ScottSome see things as they are and ask why.
I dream of things that never were and ask why not.- George Bernard Shaw
poster:SLS
thread:1067117
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20140609/msgs/1067137.html