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Friday, May 16, 2008 ysimm asks

Q: Thalessemia and Clozaril

My son who is schizophrenic and on clozaril for the last 6years just had a physical done and the report said that there was evidence of dormant thalessemia.  Do you think that it is the clozaril that is doing this?

 

Also of late he has developed a breathing problem.  It is not affecting him physically but he has this involuntary whistle all the time coming from his chest.

 

Do you think all of this is related to the side effects of the clozaril?.  He also has to take a low dose of lexapro.

 

any thoughts appreciated

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Answers (1)
5/20/08 9:35pm

ello ysimm,

 

Sorry I didn't get back to you right away; however, I was researching your question more thoroughly.

 

Definitely bring this up to both your son's primary care doctor and his psychiatrist or the other professional who is prescribing the Clozaril.  These doctors should be in contact with each other or at least each should be aware of the other's treatment of your son and his lab test results, and symptoms and medications prescribed should be exchanged between the doctors.

 

I have Googled "thalassemia Clozaril causes" and come up without results in the first 10 Web sites listed.

 

But you should log on to medlineplus.gov for info on Thalassemia, which is also called Cooley's anemia:   http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/thalassemia.html

 

People of Mediterranean backgrounds are often at risk for certain types of anemia, including Cooley's.

 

Put your mind at ease by asking the psychiatrist, and by asking the primary care doctor, too, if the primary care person is not aware your son takes Clozaril (though I suspect the medical doctor does know).

 

I hope I have at least given you some introductory points to consider.

 

I wish you the best of everything with your son's health.

 

Chris

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