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Clozapine infection warning — GPhC CRA MCQ

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HardCNS TherapeuticsClozapine infection warningGPhC CRA

A patient taking clozapine presents with a sore throat, fever and mouth ulcers. He asks to buy paracetamol and says his next blood test is due next week. What is the most appropriate action?

Educational content. Not a substitute for clinical judgement or local policy.

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Correct answer: E — Advise urgent same-day contact with the clozapine monitoring service or prescriber

Clozapine can cause neutropenia and agranulocytosis, and infection symptoms require urgent assessment. The monitoring service or prescriber should be contacted without waiting for the next routine test. Symptomatic treatment alone could delay recognition of a serious adverse reaction. Clozapine dose changes must be specialist-led.

Reference: BNF; NICE CKS