van der Horst MZ, van Houwelingen F, Luykx JJ. Isolated nausea and vomiting as the cardinal presenting symptoms of clozapine-induced myocarditis: a case report.
BMC Psychiatry 2020;
20:568. [PMID:
33246443 PMCID:
PMC7694895 DOI:
10.1186/s12888-020-02955-9]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic proven to be superior in the treatment of treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Myocarditis is a rare, but well-known complication of treatment with clozapine. Only few cases have been reported in which nausea and vomiting were prominent symptoms. This is the first described report in which nausea and vomiting were the only presenting symptoms of clozapine-induced myocarditis.
CASE PRESENTATION
We report a case of a 58-year-old woman, suffering from schizoaffective disorder, who is being treated with clozapine. Two weeks after initiation of clozapine, she developed nausea and vomiting, in absence of any other clinical symptoms. Laboratory examination and magnetic resonance imaging confirmed the diagnosis of clozapine-induced myocarditis. Clozapine was discontinued and the patient recovered fully.
CONCLUSIONS
This case emphasizes the importance of recognizing myocarditis as a cause of isolated nausea and vomiting in patients treated with clozapine. Early recognition improves clinical outcome and reduces mortality.
Collapse