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Case report
Clozapine toxicity: a cautionary palliative care tale
  1. Michael Macfarlane1,
  2. Julita Shahab1 and
  3. Derek Willis2
  1. 1 Severn Hospice, Shrewsbury, UK
  2. 2 Medical, Severn Hospice, Telford, UK
  1. Correspondence to Dr Michael Macfarlane, Severn Hospice, Shrewsbury SY3 8HS, UK; mike.macfarlane{at}nhs.net

Abstract

Objective This case report presents an unusual case of clozapine toxicity secondary to reduced smoking habit mimicking a patient approaching end of life.

Methods It is a cautionary tale for palliative care specialists, perhaps unaware of the effect of cigarette smoke on metabolism of this antipsychotic, to be aware of.

Results Following specialist advice and change of antipsychotic medication, this patient’s condition improved to the point that he was discharged from the hospice.

Conclusion Palliative care specialists should be aware that reducing cigarette consumption can alter metabolism of clozapine, potentially causing drug accumulation and toxicity with features which mimic deterioration towards end of life. Specialist advice should be sought in such a situation.

  • hospice care
  • pharmacology
  • terminal care

https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjspcare-2019-001988

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    Footnotes

    • Contributors Each of the authors was involved in the clinical care of this patient. The article has been written by MM and approved by JS and DW.

    • Funding The authors have not declared a specific grant for this research from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

    • Competing interests None declared.

    • Patient consent for publication Not required.

    • Provenance and peer review Not commissioned; internally peer reviewed.