Life-threatening thrombocytosis following GCSF treatment in a case of clozapine-induced agranulocytosis

Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2012 May-Jun;34(3):320.e1-2. doi: 10.1016/j.genhosppsych.2011.09.011. Epub 2011 Oct 21.

Abstract

Clozapine was introduced in European market in 1972 as an effective treatment for schizophrenia without extrapyramidal side effects. Within a short while, the clozapine story virtually came to a halt following detection of life-threatening neutropenia and agranulocytosis. Judicial use of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (GCSF) can be life saving with infrequent side effects in these cases. Here we are presenting a case of clozapine induced agranulocytosis managed with GCSF but had transient but life-threatening thrombocytosis, a very uncommon complication of GCSF therapy. Expression of GCSF receptors on the surface of megakaryocytic lineage is thought to be the cause of this unusual phenomenon.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Agranulocytosis / chemically induced*
  • Clozapine / administration & dosage
  • Clozapine / adverse effects*
  • Clozapine / therapeutic use
  • Critical Illness*
  • Female
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / administration & dosage
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / adverse effects*
  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor / therapeutic use
  • Humans
  • India
  • Middle Aged
  • Thrombocytosis / chemically induced*
  • Thrombocytosis / physiopathology

Substances

  • Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor
  • Clozapine