Evidence map›Paper›PMID 42483438›Full record

ArticleBioMedicine2026

The adverse effects of clozapine on blood markers and electrocardiographic findings in patients with schizophrenia.

Papageorgiou Anastasios, Vrettou Christina, Koukouli Andriana, Kalogirou Sofia, Gkrampovari Maria, Tampaki Despoina, Bartzi Dimitra, Tsatsou Ioanna, Tasoulis Athanasios

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Article in BioMedicine, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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1 · What the graph read from it

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2 · The registry

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3 · Its place in the literature

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4 · The record

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

9 authors.

Papageorgiou AnastasiosInternal Medicine Department, Psychiatric Hospital of Attica "Dafni", Athens, Greece.
Vrettou ChristinaSecond Psychiatric Department, Psychiatric Hospital of Attica "Dafni", Athens, Greece.
Koukouli AndrianaInternal Medicine Department, Psychiatric Hospital of Attica "Dafni", Athens, Greece.
Kalogirou SofiaInternal Medicine Department, Psychiatric Hospital of Attica "Dafni", Athens, Greece.
Gkrampovari MariaInternal Medicine Department, Psychiatric Hospital of Attica "Dafni", Athens, Greece.
Tampaki DespoinaInternal Medicine Department, Psychiatric Hospital of Attica "Dafni", Athens, Greece.
Bartzi DimitraOncology Department, Hellenic Airforce General Hospital, Athens, & Medical School, University of Crete, Herakleion, Greece.
Tsatsou IoannaOne Day Clinic, Hellenic Airforce General Hospital, Athens, Greece.
Tasoulis AthanasiosInternal Medicine Department, Psychiatric Hospital of Attica "Dafni", Athens, Greece.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Introduction: Clozapine remains the gold-standard antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, but its use is hindered by rare but serious adverse effects, such as hematologic abnormalities and myocarditis. Purpose: This study investigated the adverse impacts of clozapine on blood markers and electrocardiographic (ECG) findings among patients with schizophrenia, emphasizing in early detection of life-threatening complications. Methods: All patients initiated on clozapine at a psychiatric hospital in Athens, Greece, between January 2022 and June 2024 were considered for inclusion. Thirty-one patients with complete clinical and laboratory data were monitored for hematological, biochemical, and ECG changes at baseline, days 5-10, and after 1-2 months. Parameters evaluated included white blood cell (WBC) counts, differential counts, C-reactive protein (CRP), hepatic enzymes, creatine phosphokinase (CPK), troponin, and ECG changes. Results: Of the 31 patients, two (6.5%) developed clozapine-induced myocarditis within the first three weeks, confirmed by clinical symptoms, ECG abnormalities, and elevated troponin levels, necessitating immediate clozapine discontinuation. Four patients exhibited prolonged QTc, two overlapping with myocarditis cases. Eleven experienced elevated CRP, while eosinophilia and transient hepatic or muscular enzyme elevations were also common, especially during rapid titration phases; indicating inflammatory responses or mild organ involvement. No cases of agranulocytosis or severe eosinophilic complications occurred. Conclusions: Clozapine can induce significant hematologic, inflammatory, hepatic, muscular, and cardiac adverse effects, particularly during rapid titration. Systematic monitoring of blood markers and ECGs was vital in early detection and management of these complications, especially myocarditis. The findings underscore the importance of cautious titration protocols and tailored surveillance strategies to enhance clozapine safety in clinical practice.

Indexed as

Adverse effectsBlood markersClozapineElectrocardiogramSchizophrenia

Identifiers

PMID42483438
PMCPMC13387402

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.