Clozapine-related paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia: A case report

Abstract

Clozapine is considered to be more effective than other antipsychotic drugs for treating treatment- resistant schizophrenia. However, side effects of clozapine include agranulocytosis and, less commonly, cardiovascular disease, which is occasionally fatal. We describe a 56-year-old woman who developed clozapine-related paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia during clozapine dose titration and had a recurrence despite being treated with verapamil. For treatment-resistant schizophrenia, a slow titration of the clozapine dose is necessary, and potential cardiac side-effects should be monitored.