Warning Over Schizophrenia Drug Clozapine

(April 1, 2007) -- Health professionals are being urged to monitor patients on a schizophrenia drug after a review found five people have died from its side-effects.

The Intensive Medicines Monitoring Programme says one person has died from an acute blood disorder, as a result of using Clozapine.

It says four other deaths were caused by another side effect, severe constipation.

Pete Ellis, from the University of Otago and Wellington School of Medicine, says health professionals need to be aware of the potential complications.

He says it is has been acknowledged the drug can cause constipation, but this is the first evidence that it can be fatal.

Mr Ellis says health professionals can still confidently prescribe the drug but should discuss whether it is causing significant side effects with patients.

Source: NewsRoom

Last updated: 04/07

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