Knee Buckling as an Atypical Adverse Effect of Clozapine: A Case Report

Cureus. 2024 Mar 9;16(3):e55865. doi: 10.7759/cureus.55865. eCollection 2024 Mar.

Abstract

Clozapine has become a widely popular and effective medication in the treatment of refractory schizophrenia and refractory bipolar disorder. Although the use of clozapine proves to be an effective resort, it has to be closely monitored due to its narrow therapeutic range and multiple dangerous adverse effects. In rare cases, clozapine has been known to cause an antagonistic myoclonic jerk that leads to knee buckling. Here, we present the case of a 29-year-old female who is being treated for schizoaffective disorder, bipolar, manic type, who reported two instances of knee buckling associated with falls while taking clozapine.

Keywords: clozapine side effects; drug-related side effects and adverse reactions; knee buckling; negative myoclonus; therapeutic range.

Publication types

  • Case Reports