Clozapine induced pericarditis: A case report

Clozapine is a second-generation antipsychotic often used for treatment-refractory schizophrenia and has many adverse effects. Cardiac adverse events potentiated by clozapine include myocarditis which is a black box warning. Even more rarely, there are multiple cases of pericarditis reported in the literature. This is a case report of a 32-year old male with paranoid schizophrenia who developed pericarditis after initiation and titration of clozapine in the inpatient psychiatry unit. Patient presented with chest pain, persistent tachycardia, and orthostatic hypotension two weeks after titration of clozapine. The diagnosis of pericarditis was supported by the repeat electrocardiogram which revealed PR depressions, the audible friction rub, and the pleuritic/episodic nature of the chest pain. All other possible causes of pericarditis were ruled out and clozapine was suspected as the most likely explanation. The pericarditis resolved with treatment of colchine and ibuprofen on evidence from a repeat echocardiogram. This case report demonstrates and supports few cases of clozapine induced pericarditis in the literature. Cardiac events of clozapine can be life-threatening; therefore, greater baseline and subsequent cardiac monitoring may be implicated in the future.

Automated summary

Clozapine, a second-generation antipsychotic used for treatment-refractory schizophrenia, can lead to cardiac adverse events such as myocarditis and pericarditis. This case report highlights the rare occurrence of clozapine-induced pericarditis and emphasizes the importance of cardiac monitoring for patients on clozapine therapy.