Treatment outcome with clozapine in tardive dyskinesia, neuroleptic sensitivity, and treatment-resistant psychosis.
Thirty-eight chronically ill psychotic patients were treated with clozapine for indications of tardive dyskinesia, severe extrapyramidal side effects caused by other neuroleptics, or treatment-resistant psychosis. Fifty-five percent of all patients and 40% of schizophrenics improved with clozapine. Abnormal involuntary movements were suppressed during treatment and, with 1 exception, returned to baseline levels after clozapine was discontinued. Our results support the conclusion that clozapine's efficacy in refractory cases and its lack of neurological side effects make it a unique neuroleptic with advantages over conventional antipsychotic agents. The drug appears to be safe when treatment is accompanied by frequent clinical and hematologic monitoring.
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001480:Basal Ganglia Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000517:prevention & control*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003984:Dibenzazepines / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003984:Dibenzazepines; D003024:Clozapine