Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jun 11, 2026

Methods for Studying the Mechanisms of Action of Antipsychotic Drugs in Caenorhabditis elegans
Published on: February 4, 2014
Clozapine-withdrawal catatonia
1Dept. of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA, UCLA-Psychiatry Residency Program Education Office (116A3), 16111 Plummer St., Bldg. 10, North Hills, CA 91343, USA. mitaliwadekar@gmail.com
Background:
Case reports in which abrupt clozapine discontinuation led to a return of psychosis, autonomic instability, or catatonia have been previously presented in the literature.
Objective:
The authors report on symptom presentation and resolution in a case of abrupt withdrawal of clozapine medication.
Method:
The authors describe the condition and history of the patient, a 49-year-old woman with schizophrenia, the medical support she received, and the re-initiation of her clozapine medication.
Results:
Symptoms of catatonia and autonomic instability resolved by Day 4 of treatment.
Conclusion:
Patients and their caregivers need to be educated about the effects of abrupt cessation of clozapine administration.
Related Concept Videos
Psychosis: Goals of Pharmacotherapy
Psychosis and Antipsychotic Drugs: Overview
Antipsychotic Drugs: Typical and Atypical Agents
Antipsychotic Drugs: Therapeutic Uses and Side Effects
Despite these side effects, antipsychotics are used therapeutically for various purposes, including managing schizophrenia, preventing nausea and vomiting, curbing...
Mania and Antimanic Drugs: Overview
Positive Symptoms of Schizophrenia: Hallucinations and Delusions
Thought Disorders
Disorganized and unusual thought processes mark thought disorders in schizophrenia. One key feature is disorganized speech, where an individual's conversation includes loosely...