Clozapine is a clinically useful drug for patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia; however, it has a serious side effect of agranulocytosis. Therefore, for its early detection and improved prognosis, frequent blood monitoring is required. Under the government-issued declaration of emergency to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus, the blood monitoring interval for clozapine in Japan was temporarily extended. In this article, we outlined clozapine treatment overseas, described the circumstances leading to extension of the blood monitoring interval under the declaration of emergency in Japan, and discussed the situation in our department and the need to prolong the examination interval during clozapine administration. The spread of the novel coronavirus was unprecedented and the implementation of preventative measures took time. However, we expect the relevant organizations to promptly respond to the next epidemic. In addition, the permanent extension of the examination interval during clozapine administration needs to be discussed in general.
Authors' abstract
Can the Examination Interval during Clozapine Administration be Extended?: Discussion of Experience in Temporarily Extending the Examination Interval under the Declaration of Emergency to Prevent the Spread of the Novel Coronavirus
Department of Psychiatry, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine
Psychiatria et Neurologia Japonica
123: 69-74, 2021
Accepted in revised form: 8 October 2020.
Accepted in revised form: 8 October 2020.
<Keywords:schizophrenia, clozapine, COVID-19>