Clozapine side effects.

The most striking difference between the side-effect profiles of atypical clozapine and the typical antipsychotics is the low level of extrapyramidal symptoms and prolactin-induced side-effects associated with clozapine (related to a low dopamine receptor blockade) together with a relatively high level of other side-effects (mainly related to blockade of other receptor types). The clozapine side-effects can be subdivided into A) rare but serious side-effects, including agranulocytoses, seizures, cardiovascular complications, and neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and B) common and more harmless side-effects, including hypersalivation, anticholinergic side-effects such as constipation and urine incontinence, weight gain, and sedation. With prevention, early recognition, and use of antidotes, most of the clozapine-related side-effects can be avoided or limited.