Can Clozapine Be Prescribed When Neutrophil Count Is High?

Posted on Fri, 9 Jun 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 9 Jun 2017 Answered on

Thu, 6 Jul 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : I was notified by a pharmacy yesterday that they would not dispense my client his clozaril because he had ELEVATED neutrophils. I thought we should be concerned if the neutrophils were DECREASED. Please advise.

Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (55 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Consultation

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks for your question.

You are right about this. Pharmacies should not deny filling a clozapine prescription because of a high neutrophils -- only if there are LOW neutrophils. The pharmacy is incorrect here. You may want to have your prescribing doctor call them to authorize them to fill it.

Dr. Sheppe

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj