Monitoring

Antipsychotics are initiated in secondary care, where baseline measurements are taken. The NICE guidelines state that regular monitoring of people with schizophrenia should be carried out by GP’s and other primary health care professionals at least once a year. Frequent monitoring of specific parameters may be necessary during the course of treatment, which is dependent on the individual risk factors and the antipsychotic drug.



























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* A full blood count is mandatory for clozapine as it can cause agranulocytosis and neutropenia. This is to be carried out in secondary care by the clozapine monitoring service, every week for the first 18 weeks, then every two weeks for one year then every four weeks.

 

† For all inpatients, those with cardiovascular risk factors and those on haloperidol, pimozide, sertindole and clozapine.

 

± Weight, BMI and fasting plasma glucose should be measured more frequently with olanzapine and clozapine.

 

§ Blood pressure and pulse should be repeated frequently during first few months of treatment.