CLOZAPINE CASES WITH FATAL, TOXIC OR THERAPEUTIC CONCENTRATIONS

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.