Pharmacopsychiatry 2022; 55(01): 48-56
DOI: 10.1055/a-1562-2521
Review

COVID-19: Risks, Complications, and Monitoring in Patients on Clozapine

Selene R. T. Veerman
1   MHO Noord-Holland Noord and the Dutch Clozapine Collaboration Group, Netherland
,
Jan P. A. M. Bogers
2   MHO Rivierduinen and the Dutch Clozapine Collaboration Group, Netherland
,
Dan Cohen
1   MHO Noord-Holland Noord and the Dutch Clozapine Collaboration Group, Netherland
,
Peter F. J. Schulte
1   MHO Noord-Holland Noord and the Dutch Clozapine Collaboration Group, Netherland
› Author Affiliations

Abstract

The Dutch Clozapine Collaboration Group is frequently asked for advice about the management of clozapine-treated patients when infected with or vaccinated against SARS-CoV-2. We provide state of the art information about the risks of SARS-CoV-2 infection for patients on clozapine and we give advice on measures to be taken, especially in regard to the monitoring of clozapine plasma levels, WBC count and differentiation during COVID-19 and after vaccination. We present an overview of relevant editorials, observational studies, and case studies, in which COVID-19 was reported in patients on clozapine. Patients using clozapine may have a higher risk of infection than patients with schizophrenia spectrum disorders (SSD) using other antipsychotics. SARS-CoV-2 infection can result in a dangerous increase of clozapine plasma levels, and granulocytopenia and lymphocytopenia (generally mild and short-term) may also occur, usually not as a result of clozapine treatment. Clozapine intoxication, pneumonia and delirium are the main complications of COVID-19 in patients on clozapine. In order to prevent clozapine intoxication, reduction of the original dose by half is generally recommended in clozapine users who contract COVID-19. When a cytokine storm is suspected in an advanced stage of COVID-19, reduction by three quarters seems more appropriate. If COVID-19 patients on clozapine develop granulocytopenia, SARS-CoV-2, rather than clozapine, should be considered as the cause. Schizophrenia patients in general and clozapine users in particular belong to a high-risk group that warrants early vaccination on a medical indication.



Publication History

Received: 23 May 2021
Received: 21 July 2021

Accepted: 24 July 2021

Article published online:
01 September 2021

© 2021. Thieme. All rights reserved.

Georg Thieme Verlag KG
Rüdigerstraße 14, 70469 Stuttgart, Germany

 
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