Here is the most recent Q and A between the webmd doctor and me. Not only is my doctor making errors, but the pharmacist is also making errors. I have written another follow up question and I will let you know when I hear back from him.

ME--Thanks Dr G! I have now started this med. I started on 50MG and will be on that until Fri when I start 100MG.

Everything I have read suggests that weekly blood tests are a requirement. However, my doctor is prescribing them bi-weekly. Is this incorrect (at least he was until I told him I would be more comfortable with weekly tests and he honored that)? Also, the pharmacy filled a 28 day supply of the meds. Is this normal? Are both my doctor and pharmacist incorrect in their prescriptions or am I reading the wrong information? Thanks again!

Dr. G--Dear Sarah,
It's not up to the doctor to decide how often the white blood cell counts gets measured; it's mandated by a national registry called the REMS (Risk Evaluation Mitigation Strategy -- see:
https://www.clozapinerems.com/CpmgClozapineUI/faqs.u). The schedule is determined the national REMS program in order to monitor the (rare) risk for immunosuppression, which could be life-threatening if it goes undetected -- weekly for the first 6 months, then every 2 weeks for 6 months, then monthly. Pharmacies can only dispense enough drug until the next blood draw (the REMS trademarked logo says "no blood, no drug"). These rules are set in stone.
Dr. G.