The Efficacy of L-Carnitine in the Management of Acute Clozapine Intoxication

Clozapine is a dibenzodiazepine that is used atypical antipsychotic drug. Clozapine-induced cytotoxicity could be attributed to increases in reactive oxygen species (ROS) that oxidize mitochondrial proteins and disrupt cellular respiration.

L-Carnitine (4-N-trimethylammonium-3-hydroxybutyric acid) is an endogenous mitochondrial membrane compound that is essential for the normal functions of mitochondria. L-Carnitine is an effective ROS scavenger that prevents lipid peroxidation.

In an animal study, it was observed that clozapine decrease L-Carnitine level in plasma which results in metabolic disorders. Subsequently, the use of supplementation L-Carnitine was recommended to attenuate clozapine-induced side effects.

An in-vitro study investigated the cytotoxic effects of clozapine on human lymphocytes and the possible protective role of L-Carnitine, the results revealed that clozapine-induced cytotoxicity attributed to oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction which significantly improved upon L-Carnitine administration.

In clinical toxicology, acute clozapine toxicity results in significant morbidities and mortalities in absence of a specific antidote. Therefore, it is essential to adopt pharmaceutical intervention based on the proposed mechanism of clozapine-induced cytotoxicity.

The objective of the current research is to assess the potential beneficial effects of L-Carnitine on the acute clozapine poisoning outcome.

The study will include patients with moderate and severe acute clozapine poisoning. The patient's condition will be assessed on admission using a Poisoning Severity Score.

Patients with acute clozapine poisoning will be assigned randomly into two groups; the Conventional group and the L-Carnitine group. Then, all patients will be closely followed up for vital signs, Glasgow Coma Scale, and Electrocardiogram. Clinical and laboratory reassessments will be performed. Lastly, the outcomes will be assessed and statistical analysis of the results will be performed.

Ethical approval was obtained from the Research Ethics Committee of the Faculty of Medicine, Alexandria University. This Ethics Committee is constituted and operates according to ICH GCP Guidelines and applicable local and institutional regulations and guidelines that govern the Ethics Committees operation. Written informed consent will be obtained from clozapine-intoxicated patients or their guardians (minors or those with disturbed mental status). Full details regarding the study's aim and procedures will be provided to all participants. A code number will be assigned to ensure confidentiality and anonymous analysis of data.

Study design:

Clinical controlled randomized clinical trial (phase II) will be conducted in Poison Center. The total required sample size is 40 patients, similar to the sample size calculated in the clinical trial that verified the efficacy of IV lipid emulsion in managing clozapine toxicity.

The diagnosis will be based on the history of intake of a large dose of clozapine along with the presence of the pill container. The diagnosis of acute clozapine toxicity will be supported by the clinical findings that include significant central nervous system depression, hypotension, tachycardia, and prolongation of QT interval.

All patients will be subject to the following:

* History taking: Sociodemographic data, the amount of ingested drug, time past since ingestion, pre-hospital management, current medical complaints, past medical and surgical history.
* Clinical assessment: Glasgow coma scale, vital signs, and general examination).
* Laboratory investigations that included: arterial blood gases (ABG), complete blood count, serum sodium and potassium levels, blood glucose level, liver functions (bilirubin, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT)), renal functions (urea, creatinine, blood urea nitrogen (BUN)) and cardiac enzymes.
* Electrocardiogram.
* Calculation of Poisoning Severity Score (PSS) that classifies poisoning severity as none (0), minor (1), moderate (2), severe (3), and fatal (4).

Eligibility Criteria:
Inclusion Criteria:

* The study will include patients with moderate and severe acute clozapine poisoning. The patient's condition will be assessed on admission using a Poisoning Severity Score.

Exclusion criteria:

* When the diagnosis of acute clozapine poisoning is unconfirmed.
* Patients with significant comorbidities, especially advanced neurological and cardiac diseases.
* Patients that ingest other drugs other than clozapine.
* Patients who presented late to the poison center (\>24 hr) following clozapine intake.
* Patients received treatment before hospital admission.