Title:Leukopenia Associated with Risperidone Treatment
Volume: 12
Issue: 2
Author(s): Matthew Morrison, Autumn Schultz, Deborah L. Sanchez, Maria C. Catalano and Glenn Catalano*
Affiliation:
- Mental Health and Behavioral Sciences Service, James A. Haley Veterans Hospital, 13000 Bruce B. Downs Boulevard #116A, Tampa, Florida 33612,United States
Keywords:
Atypical antipsychotic, leukopenia, neutrophil count, risperidone, side effects, white blood cell count.
Abstract: Background: Risperidone is an atypical ant ipsychotic agent that was originally approved by
the United States Food and Drug Adminstration for the treatment of schizophrenia. There are many side
effects that are frequently associated with the use of risperidone. These include weight gain, anxiety,
extra-pyramidal side effects, and elevated prolactin levels. More infrequently, the use of risperidone has
been linked to leukopenia.
Objective: To describe the relationship between the administration of risperidone and the development
of leukopenia in this patient.
Method: We present the case of a 66-year-old gentleman who developed leukopenia after the initiation
of risperidone to control agitation due to delirium. We will review the previous cases of leukopenia
associated with risperidone, and will review possible risk factors for the development of leukopenia,
based on the reported cases.
Results: In this case, there was noted to be a close temporal relationship between the increase in
risperidone dose and the rapid drop in white blood cell count.
Conclusion: This patient’s case supports the premise that patients may develop leukopenia after
treatment with risperidone. The development of risperidone induced leukopenia may be more likely if
the patient had a prior episode of leukopenia associated with the use of another antipsychotic agent.
