Monitor for Cardiac Risks Early and Late

Clozapine carries serious cardiac and metabolic risks, notably myocarditis and cardiomyopathy. Myocarditis typically manifests within the initial six to eight weeks of treatment, while cardiomyopathy poses a greater risk around nine months into therapy. Heavy alcohol consumption exacerbates these risks. Symptoms to watch for include fever, tachycardia, fatigue, dyspnea, chest pain, and flu-like signs. Laboratory indicators of these conditions can include eosinophilia and elevated levels of C-reactive protein, CK, and troponin I.