Work

Clozapine‐Associated Neutropenia With COVID‐19 Infection and the Role of Filgrastim

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: ABSTRACT Clozapine is the gold standard, evidence‐based treatment of choice for treatment‐resistant schizophrenia. However, clozapine can induce serious, life‐threatening adverse effects, including neutropenia and agranulocytosis. There is accumulating evidence to suggest that rechallenging with clozapine should be considered in most patients with clozapine‐associated neutropenia (mild to moderate neutropenia) who do not respond to other treatments. Ruling out other causes of coincidental neutropenia is important when the neutropenia occurs after 2 years of treatment on clozapine, as the risk of developing neutropenia becomes negligible after 2 years and becomes nonspecific to clozapine. When our patient developed neutropenia whilst taking clozapine during Covid‐19 infection, she benefitted from Filgrastim [a Granulocyte‐Colony Stimulating Factor (G‐CSF)], which provided symptomatic treatment.

Source: Progress in Neurology and Psychiatry

DOI: 10.1002/pnp.70019

Author: Devender Singh Yadav

Institution: Heatherwood Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Schizophrenia research and treatment

Subfield: Psychiatry and Mental health

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $3,200