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Pediatric clozapine intoxication
Insights
Unintentional clozapine ingestion in children can cause severe mental status and tone changes, with some experiencing extrapyramidal effects. Pediatric clozapine intoxication presents differently than in adults, highlighting safety concerns.
Area of Science:
- Pharmacology
- Pediatric Toxicology
- Clinical Case Reports
Background:
- Clozapine, a dibenzodiazepine derivative, is an established antipsychotic for adults.
- The safety and toxicological profile of clozapine in pediatric populations remain largely uncharacterized.
Abstract:
Clozapine is a tricyclic dibenzodiazepine derivative used as an antipsychotic in adults. Clozapine's safety in children has not been established. This report describes three unintentional clozapine ingestions in pediatric patients. These are the first reported cases of clozapine intoxication in children. All three patients demonstrated dramatic alterations in mental status and tone, and two demonstrated extrapyramidal effects. Serum clozapine levels obtained in two patients were within the average range of steady state plasma concentrations for adults. These cases show the dramatic presentations of pediatric ingestion of clozapine and the differences between adult and pediatric intoxications.