Clozapine use in children and adolescents.
BACKGROUND
Although the role of clozapine is well established for treatment-resistant schizophrenia, it is rarely used in pediatric populations, mainly due to its potentially serious adverse effects.


OBJECTIVE
To summarize practical aspects of use of clozapine in treating children with schizophrenia and management of associated adverse effects.


METHODS
Available studies in the literature using clozapine in the pediatric population are summarized and the NIMH experience in treating refractory childhood-onset schizophrenia cases with clozapine is discussed.


CONCLUSIONS
Despite a higher incidence of adverse effects in children, clozapine appears to be a uniquely beneficial second-line agent for treating children with refractory schizophrenia.
Gogtay
Nitin
N
Montreal Neurological Institute, Canada. gogtayn@mail.nih.gov
Rapoport
Judith
J
D000293:Adolescent; D017668:Age of Onset; D017109:Akathisia, Drug-Induced / Q000209:etiology; D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003024:Clozapine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004351:Drug Resistance; D006801:Humans; D009503:Neutropenia / Q000139:chemically induced; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000453:epidemiology; D012640:Seizures / Q000139:chemically induced; D015430:Weight Gain / Q000187:drug effects
D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D003024:Clozapine