Successful clozapine rechallenge following recurrent clozapine-associated pancreatitis: a case report

Abstract

Abstract Background Acute pancreatitis is a rare but recognised complication of clozapine leading to termination of treatment. Case presentation We present the case of a 39-year-old man with treatment-resistant schizoaffective disorder and a history of recurrent acute pancreatitis attributed to clozapine. After 15 years of unremitting symptoms with disruptive and aggressive behaviour, he was admitted for a clozapine rechallenge. Despite experiencing two further episodes of acute pancreatitis during clozapine treatment that led to its temporary withdrawal, clozapine was successfully re-established under gastroenterology consultation with close monitoring which resulted in progressively marked improvement of his mental state. Conclusions This case demonstrates that patients who develop pancreatitis during clozapine treatment may be cautiously rechallenged with specialist gastroenterology support.

Keywords

• Clozapine
• Schizophrenia
• Side effects
• Re-challenge
• Acute pancreatitis