Abstract. Delirium is an encephalopathy characterized by disorientation, confusion, and short-term memory impairment. It can be caused by a variety of pharmaceuticals that includes clozapine. The etiology in clozapine cases includes anticholinergic effects and a neuroleptic malignant syndrome-like picture. The risk for a clozapine induced delirium is greater at high dosages, during dose increases, and with polypharmacy. Resolution follows clozapine dose reductions and/or medicine discontinuations.
Sanyal S, Van Tol HH. Review the role of dopamine D4 receptors in schizophrenia and antipsychotic ation. J Psychiatr Res 1997; 31: 219-232.
Centorrino F, Albert MJ, Drago-Ferrante G, Koukopoulos AE, Berry JM, Baldessarini RJ. Delirium during clozapine treatment: incidence and associated risk factors. Pharmacopsychiatry 2003; 36: 156-160.
Karagianis JL, Phillips LC, Hogan KP, LeDrew KK. Clozapine-associated neuroleptic malignant syndrome: two new cases and a review of the literature. Ann Pharmacother 1999; 33: 623-630.
Sanyal S, Van Tol HH. Review the role of dopamine D4 receptors in schizophrenia and antipsychotic ation. J Psychiatr Res 1997; 31: 219-232.
Centorrino F, Albert MJ, Drago-Ferrante G, Koukopoulos AE, Berry JM, Baldessarini RJ. Delirium during clozapine treatment: incidence and associated risk factors. Pharmacopsychiatry 2003; 36: 156-160.
Karagianis JL, Phillips LC, Hogan KP, LeDrew KK. Clozapine-associated neuroleptic malignant syndrome: two new cases and a review of the literature. Ann Pharmacother 1999; 33: 623-630.