Clozapine therapy and clinical outcomes in Kentucky psychiatric hospitals.
We reviewed the protocol for determining patient eligibility to receive clozapine in Kentucky state psychiatric facilities. Results of a retrospective review of the clinical outcomes of the initial 42 patients who received clozapine under this protocol are reported. Patients receiving clozapine were severely ill patients with a mean duration of illness and mean length of current hospitalization of 11 years and 2 years, respectively. Symptomatic response was dramatic with a reduction in total Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS) and Clinical Global Impression (CGI) ratings of 48.4% and 36.3%, respectively. The time patients spent in restraints decreased significantly following clozapine initiation. Clozapine was well tolerated, with sedation being the most common adverse effect reported. One patient experienced a seizure and another developed leukopenia. Following 12 weeks of clozapine treatment, the patient discharge rate was 42.9%.
Division of Pharmacy Practice and Science, College of Pharmacy, University of Kentucky, Lexington 40536-0082.
R A
RA
Littrell
J
J
Powell
C
C
Reynolds
R
R
Heine
W R
WR
Coyle
V
V
Stillner
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006778:Hospitals, Psychiatric; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
D003024:Clozapine