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Lethargy and myalgia after 6mo of clozapine

Obtain the patient's WBC and absolute neutrophil count weekly for the first 6 months of med therapy.

User Aviyaron
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Final answer:

To monitor the patient's response to clozapine medication, it is recommended to obtain the patient's WBC and absolute neutrophil count weekly for the first 6 months of therapy. This helps determine if the counts are within a safe range to proceed with the medication.

Step-by-step explanation:

Based on the symptoms described, the patient may be experiencing side effects from clozapine medication, such as lethargy and myalgia (muscle pain).

To monitor the patient's response to the medication, it is recommended to obtain the patient's WBC (white blood cell) and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) weekly for the first 6 months of therapy. This is important because clozapine can suppress the bone marrow and decrease WBC and ANC, which can increase the risk of infections.

By monitoring the WBC and ANC levels, the healthcare team can determine if the patient's counts are within a safe range to proceed with the medication or if any adjustments need to be made.

User Saddie
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