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Pseudophaeochromocytoma associated with clozapine treatment

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

Sarah E Prasad  and
Harry G Kennedy
Sarah E Prasad
Affiliation:
Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum, Dublin 14, Ireland
Harry G Kennedy
Affiliation:
Central Mental Hospital, Dundrum, Dublin 14 and Academic Department of Psychiatry, Trinity College Dublin, Ireland
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Abstract

We describe a 44 year old man with treatment resistant schizophrenia who developed pseudophaeochromocytoma on clozapine with high blood pressure, tachycardia and elevated 24 hour urinary catecholamines. All resolved on discontinuing clozapine. We reviewed the literature and found five other cases. We suggest that this is a common side effect, transient in some patients. Elevated plasma noradrenaline does not appear to be relevant to the unique benefits of clozapine.

Keywords

SchizophreniaClozapineNoradrenalineHypertensionTachycardiaPseudophaeochromocytoma
Type
Case Reports
Information
Irish Journal of Psychological Medicine , Volume 20 , Issue 4 , December 2003 , pp. 132 - 134
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 2003

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