What should be monitored weekly for a patient on Clozaril?

Clozaril (clozapine) is an atypical antipsychotic medication primarily used for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. One of the significant risks associated with clozapine is agranulocytosis, a potentially life-threatening decrease in white blood cell (WBC) counts. Due to this risk, patients on clozapine require regular monitoring of their white blood cell counts to ensure their safety.

Specifically, the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) must be monitored weekly for the first six months of treatment, then bi-weekly for the next six months, and subsequently every four weeks if the counts remain stable. This monitoring is crucial to detect any significant decreases in WBCs early and to prevent serious complications, including infections, that can arise from low white blood cell counts.

While monitoring blood pressure, liver function, and heart rate are important aspects of managing overall health in patients on various medications, the unique requirement for weekly white blood count monitoring is specifically linked to the safety profile of clozapine therapy.