A Case of Olanzapine-Induced Neutropenia

Ji, Yong Jin

Abstract

The author reported a case of a 44-year-old man who developed leukopenia and neutropenia during pharmacological therapy with olanzapine for schizophrenia. He was found to have a significantly decreased WBC level (1.6x109/L, neutrophils 34%) without any signs of medical conditions such as infection, hematologic disorder, or nutritional deficiency. The patient did not use any other neuroleptics or drugs that could induce hematological toxicity. The author concluded that the neutropenia in this case was attributed to the use of olanzapine medication. The author also tried to review current literatures on untoward hematological effects caused by olanzapine therapy. Clinicians may need to be cautious about the potential risk for hematological toxicity caused by olanzapine medication. Patients who were treated with olanzapine should be monitored for WBC level, especially in those patients with previous history of drug-induced neutropenia/agranulocytosis, or those are on high-dose olanzapine.