[Maintenance therapy in schizophrenia using clozapine]

Most of the experience with the atypical neuroleptic of Clozapine (Leponex, Sandoz) pertains to active treatment. In conjunction with possible risks, at present its administration in selected groups of patients is recommended. The authors describe the results of an intraindividual comparison of Clozapine in 11 patients with the diagnosis of schizophrenia (according to ICD-9), 7 men, mean age 30.5 years with previous neuroleptic treatment. The average period for comparison was 2.3 years (1.5-4 years), the mean daily dose of Clozapine was 200 mg (50-400 mg). During Clozapine treatment the hospitalization period was significantly shorter and the number of hospital admissions was lower. The frequency of undesirable effects was equal during both periods. During Clozapine treatment morning sleepiness and hypersalivation were more frequent and during treatment with neuroleptics extrapyramidal undesirable effects. In none of the patients they caused discontinuation of treatment. Transient leukopenia after Clozapine in one patient was improved after reduction of the dose. The paper is supplemented by the case-history of female patient treated by Clozapine monotherapy during 17 years.