A patient, Hari has been diagnosed to have schizophrenia. Which of the following acts as a limiting factor in the use of clozapine as an antipsychotic drug in this patient?: (A) Its potential to cause agranulocytosis, (B) Its inability to benefit negative symptoms of schizophrenia, (C) High incidence of extrapyramidal side effects, (D) Production of hyperprolactinemia
Answer is A. -Major adverse effects of clozapine are agranulocytosis and seizures. -High risk of causing lipodystrophy syndrome. -Does not prominently block dopamine receptors --> Negligible risk of extrapyramidal symptoms or hyperprolactinemia Effective against both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.