Clozapine-associated elevation in serum triglycerides.

Abstract

This study was conducted to determine serum lipid level changes in patients who received clozapine or haloperidol. Medical records of 222 inpatients treated with clozapine or haloperidol were reviewed. Age, weight, gender, daily antipsychotic dose, total cholesterol level, serum triglyceride level, and concurrent medications were recorded. Clozapine-treated men had significantly higher follow-up serum triglyceride concentrations over baseline than did haloperidol-treated men. Female patients experienced serum triglyceride level elevations regardless of antipsychotic treatment. Changes in total cholesterol levels were not significantly different between treatment groups. An increase in serum triglyceride levels occurred in clozapine-treated patients; screening for serum triglyceride elevations may be warranted before treatment with clozapine.