Effects of clozapine on smoking in chronic schizophrenic outpatients.
BACKGROUND
The effects of clozapine administration on smoking were examined in chronic schizophrenic outpatients.


METHODS
Twenty-nine of 30 schizophrenic outpatients enrolled in a university-affiliated Community Mental Health Center clozapine clinic were retrospectively surveyed by semistructured questionnaire regarding smoking before and after clozapine administration.


RESULTS
Smokers comprised 62% (N = 18) of patients, and within this group, there was a significant decrease in reported daily cigarette use during clozapine treatment compared with level of use when patients had been treated with typical neuroleptics (1.67 +/- 1.13 vs. 1.26 +/- 0.72 packs/day, p = .025).


CONCLUSIONS
Clozapine may alter smoking behaviors in chronic schizophrenics.
George
T P
TP
Department of Psychiatry, Yale University School of Medicine, CT, USA.
Sernyak
M J
MJ
Ziedonis
D M
DM
Woods
S W
SW
D000328:Adult; D000553:Ambulatory Care; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003024:Clozapine / Q000494:pharmacology* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003069:Coffee; D004326:Drinking / Q000187:drug effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D015995:Prevalence; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D011618:Psychotic Disorders / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000523:psychology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D016540:Smoking Cessation; D000074606:Smoking Prevention
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003069:Coffee; D003024:Clozapine