Pediatric clozapine intoxication

Am J Emerg Med. 1996 Sep;14(5):462-3. doi: 10.1016/S0735-6757(96)90152-7.

Abstract

Clozapine is a tricyclic dibenzodiazepine derivative used as an antipsychotic in adults. Clozapine's safety in children has not been established. This report describes three unintentional clozapine ingestions in pediatric patients. These are the first reported cases of clozapine intoxication in children. All three patients demonstrated dramatic alterations in mental status and tone, and two demonstrated extrapyramidal effects. Serum clozapine levels obtained in two patients were within the average range of steady state plasma concentrations for adults. These cases show the dramatic presentations of pediatric ingestion of clozapine and the differences between adult and pediatric intoxications.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic / poisoning
  • Antipsychotic Agents / poisoning*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Clozapine / poisoning*
  • Extrapyramidal Tracts / drug effects
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Infant
  • Male

Substances

  • Antidepressive Agents, Tricyclic
  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Clozapine