Continuation of clozapine during chemotherapy and a stem cell transplant

Abstract

Cancer incidence rates in the UK have increased by more than a third over the last four decades, so the likelihood of requiring concurrent chemotherapy and clozapine is increasing. In this situation clinicians are faced with a clinical conundrum: to stop clozapine and risk a psychotic relapse, or to continue clozapine and risk a potentially fatal agranulocytosis. This case report describes how a multidisciplinary team (MDT) worked together to balance the mental and physical health needs of a patient.