What rare but serious condition is associated with the use of clozapine?

Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic medication that, while effective in treating schizophrenia, carries certain risks, one of which is agranulocytosis. Agranulocytosis is a potentially life-threatening decrease in the number of white blood cells (neutrophils) in the blood, which compromises the immune system and increases the risk of serious infections.

Patients on clozapine must have their white blood cell count monitored regularly to detect any drop in neutrophil levels promptly. This monitoring is crucial because agranulocytosis can occur without any prior warning signs, making early detection and intervention vital to avoid severe complications.

The other conditions associated with antipsychotic medications, such as cardiotoxicity, severe hypertension, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome, are important to be aware of, but they are either less specific to clozapine or occur less frequently when compared to agranulocytosis. Thus, understanding the risks specific to clozapine underscores the importance of careful patient management and monitoring in those undergoing treatment with this medication.