The neuroleptic drug clozapine is used in the treatment of schizophren
ia and is characterized by not having the extrapyrimidal side-effects
usually shown by neuroleptics. Unfortunately clozapine has other side-
effects, which limit its use. This study presents methods for the anal
ysis of clozapine and desmethylclozapine in whole blood and tissue. Ca
se histories and pathology findings are described for 3 autopsy cases
with fatal concentrations of clozapine, 5 with toxic concentrations an
d 2 with therapeutic concentrations together with the concentrations f
ound in a living person.