Emergence of obsessive--compulsive symptoms and tics during clozapine withdrawal.
Treatment with clozapine may be associated with the appearance of obsessive-compulsive (OC) symptoms in up to 10% of schizophrenic patients. We present the first report of the emergence of de novo OC symptoms during clozapine withdrawal in two schizophrenic patients, associated in one with Tourette's syndrome-like tics. Resumption of clozapine led to the complete disappearance of the OC symptoms and a substantial alleviation of the tics. It is suggested that an imbalance between the dopamine and serotonin systems may account for this complication.
Poyurovsky
M
M
Tirat Carmel Mental Health Center, Research Unit, Israel.
Bergman
Y
Y
Shoshani
D
D
Schneidman
M
M
Weizman
A
A
D000328:Adult; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003024:Clozapine / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004298:Dopamine / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009771:Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder / Q000139:chemically induced*; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D012701:Serotonin; D003024:Clozapine; D004298:Dopamine