Clozapine: a mimicry of phaeochromocytoma

Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 1997 Dec;31(6):889-91. doi: 10.3109/00048679709065519.

Abstract

Objective: To report a case of clozapine-induced hypertension with raised urinary catecholamines.

Clinical picture: A 27-year-old man fulfilling DSM-III-R criteria for catatonic schizophrenia was treated with clozapine. He later developed both hypertension and raised urinary catecholamines which mimicked phaeochromocytoma.

Treatment: Clozapine was withdrawn.

Outcome: Both blood pressure and urinary catecholamines normalised.

Conclusions: Clozapine may induce sympathetic hyperactivity.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Blood Pressure / drug effects
  • Catecholamines / urine
  • Clozapine / adverse effects*
  • Clozapine / therapeutic use
  • Diagnosis, Differential
  • Epinephrine / urine
  • Humans
  • Hypertension / chemically induced*
  • Hypertension / diagnosis
  • Male
  • Norepinephrine / urine
  • Pheochromocytoma / diagnosis*
  • Pheochromocytoma / urine
  • Schizophrenia, Catatonic / drug therapy

Substances

  • Catecholamines
  • Clozapine
  • Norepinephrine
  • Epinephrine