title: Safety and efficacy of long-term low-dose clozapine aftercare treatment in a patient with learning difficulties who suffered from neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Antipsychotic medication continues to be an essential component in the treatment of schizophrenia. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is one of the most serious complications of neuroleptic treatment and the optimal therapeutic aftercare regimen for patients is unclear. Also, it is not clear if low-dose neuroleptic maintenance in such patients is safe and efficient enough over time.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a case of a 56-year-old woman suffering from schizoaffective disorder, who was successfully treated with a low dosage of clozapine for 6.5 years following a NMS episode.
  
  
  RESULTS
  To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of such a long-term beneficial use of low-dose clozapine in a patient who previously underwent such a serious complication.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Large-scale studies are needed to substantiate this observation. (Int J Psych Clin Pract 2002; 6: 121-123).
authors.forename: Ilya
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Reznik
authors.forename: Baruch
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Spivak
authors.forename: Rima
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Melman
authors.forename: Moshe
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kotler
authors.forename: Abraham
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Weizman
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Mester
keywords: Aftercare Treatment; Antipsychotics Maintenance; Clozapine; Mental Retardation; Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS); Schizoaffective Disorder