The effect of clozapine on preexisting tardive dyskinesia.
Since the 1950s, the main treatment for schizophrenia has been the use of neuroleptic therapy. However, these medications may produce tardive dyskinesia in those patients who require prolonged neuroleptic treatment. With the advent of clozapine, patients with preexisting tardive dyskinesia began therapy and their symptoms did not worsen--and, in many cases, their symptoms improved dramatically. In this study, the mean Abnormal Involuntary Movement Scale (AIMS) scores from baseline to 6 months are compared for 12 patients in a private partial hospitalization program for schizophrenia. The findings reveal a drastic decrease in AIMS scores after 1 month of clozapine therapy and a steady decrease in scores throughout the 6 months of analysis.
Littrell
K
K
Schizophrenia Treatment and Rehabilitation, Inc. (STAR), Decatur, Georgia 30030.
Magill
A M
AM
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004409:Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009460:Neurologic Examination / Q000187:drug effects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012565:Schizophrenic Psychology
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine