# Electric Shock Sensation and Recurrent Falls as a Side Effect of Clozapine Therapy: A Case Report

## TL;DR

A patient on clozapine therapy experienced electric shock sensations and falls, which improved after switching medications.

## Contribution

Reports a rare side effect of clozapine therapy involving electric shock sensations and falls.

## Key findings

- A 42-year-old female developed electric shock sensations and bilateral leg fractures while on clozapine.
- Switching to aripiprazole and tapering clozapine alleviated the symptoms.
- Clozapine's side effects require careful monitoring, especially during dose adjustments.

## Abstract

Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic that acts by blocking mainly dopamine 4 receptors. It is usually prescribed for treatment-resistant schizophrenia as well as treatment-resistant bipolar disorder. Clozapine has a wide profile of side effects that result from blocking different receptors all over the body. A 42-year-old Middle Eastern female is known to have suffered from schizoaffective disorder for many years and had frequent relapses despite compliance with treatment. She was commenced on Clozapine; the patient started complaining of an electric shock sensation throughout her body that resulted in recurrent falls with bilateral leg fractures. She was started on sodium valproate to exclude the possibility of seizure activity but the electric shock sensation did not subside. The decision was made to switch her to aripiprazole and gradually taper down and stop Clozapine which improved her symptoms. Careful monitoring of patients who receive Clozapine is recommended especially during the tapering phase due to the risky adverse events it can bring about. It is essential to understand the side effects in order to tackle them as soon as they arise.