title: A target-dose finding study of clozapine in patients with schizophrenia.
abstract: Evidence from recent studies suggests that clozapine plasma concentrations greater than 350 ng/ml are correlated with therapeutic response. However, little is known about the clozapine dosages required to achieve these plasma concentrations. The purpose of this study was to determine if a target dose of 6 mg/kg/day of clozapine would produce a steady state plasma concentration of > 350 ng/ml. Twelve patients with schizophrenia by DSM-III-R criteria who were refractory to treatment with standard antipsychotics were treated with clozapine utilizing a 10- to 14-day titration to a target dose of 6 mg/kg/day. The mean (+/- SD) clozapine plasma concentration achieved after 5 days at the target dose was 584 +/- 417 ng/ml. Thus, although the target dose successfully produced therapeutic plasma concentrations for most patients, a wide variation was also apparent.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Ohio, USA.
authors: J A
authors: JA
authors: Bennett
authors: P E
authors: PE
authors: Keck
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D003024:Clozapine / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000097:blood / Q000493:pharmacokinetics; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D004351:Drug Resistance; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007297:Inpatients; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010865:Pilot Projects; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine