Clozapine for psychosis in Parkinson's disease.
The clinical efficacy of clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic, in treating levodopa-induced hallucinations was investigated in five patients with Parkinson's disease under open label conditions. Two patients could not tolerate clozapine, even in doses as low as 12.5-25 mg daily, because of extreme sedation. Three patients could tolerate clozapine and experienced improvement or elimination of their hallucinations at doses below 100 mg daily. Despite a significant risk of adverse effects, cautious use of clozapine in low doses may be beneficial for patients with levodopa-induced psychosis who do not respond to more conservative measures.
Pfeiffer
R F
RF
Section of Neurology, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha 68198-2045.
Kang
J
J
Graber
B
B
Hofman
R
R
Wilson
J
J
D000368:Aged; D003024:Clozapine / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003984:Dibenzazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006212:Hallucinations / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D007980:Levodopa / Q000009:adverse effects*; D008297:Male; D010300:Parkinson Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000188:drug therapy
D003984:Dibenzazepines; D007980:Levodopa; D003024:Clozapine