There have been previous reported deaths due to clozapine-induced
constipation. In all these cases, patients have experienced prior abdominal
symptoms over a period of weeks or months. Clozapine is an anti-psychotic
drug, and it is widely used for treatment of schizophrenia. The important
side-effects of clozapine include postural hypotension, weight gain,
tachycardia, cardiomyopathy, cardiomyositis, seizures, hypersalivation and
agranulocytosis. However, constipation induced by clozapine need to be
addressed since it may cause fatal consequences. Constipation associated with
clozapine is thought to be mediated by the drugs' pronounced dosedependent
cholinergic and serotonergic antagonism. Hence, a clozapineinduced
rapidly fatal bowel ischaemia is the highlight of this report and this
risky side-effect should be aware by the psychiatrist or physician before
commencing the treatment.