Immunologic and Coagulation Disorders in Chlorpromazine-Treated Patients

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Abstract
Prevalence of immunologic and coagulation disorders in 75 schizophrenic patients treated with chlorpromazine or other antipsychotic drugs was evaluated. Four groups were studied: Group A, chlorpromazine treatment for more than 2 1/2 yr; Group B, chlorpromazine and other antipsychotic drug treatment for more than 2 1/2 yr; Group C, chlorpromazine treatment for less than 2 1/2 yr; Group D, no chlorpromazine, but other antipsychotic drug treatment. Significant serum Ig[immunoglobulin]M elevation and prolongation of partial thromboplastin time were noted in patients who had long-term chlorpromazine treatment. The latter was caused by a circulating inhibitor resembling that seen with systemic lupus erythematosus. There was significant correlation between IgM level vs. chlorpromazine dose or treatment duration and partial thromboplastin time vs. chlorpromazine dose or treatment duration. In Groups A and B, 63% had a positive antinuclear antibody test (.gtoreq. 1:80), 40% had antibodies to native DNA, and 58% had antibodies to nucleoprotein. These antibodies were negative in the other groups. T lymphocyte percentages were below normal in 13 of 41 patients treated with chlorpromazine. Twenty of 42 patients in Groups A and B, and none of 28 in Groups C and D had splenomegaly. Most patients on long-term chlorpromazine treatment developed 1 or more immunologic abnormalities.