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Initial experience with clozapine in Woodbridge Hospital
Singapore Medical Journal
|August 1, 1997
Summary
Clozapine effectively treated treatment-resistant schizophrenia in Asian patients, with 78.9% showing improvement. The medication was well-tolerated, with hypersalivation being the most common side effect.
Area of Science:
- Psychiatry
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Schizophrenia is a complex mental disorder.
- Treatment-resistant schizophrenia poses significant challenges.
- Atypical neuroleptics like clozapine are used for refractory cases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the efficacy of clozapine.
- To evaluate the side-effect profile of clozapine.
- To study clozapine in Asian patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
Main Methods:
- A 12-week open-label trial of clozapine.
- Patients underwent neuroleptic washout prior to treatment.
- Weekly assessments included BPRS, CGI, and Simpson-Angus Scale.
Main Results:
- 78.9% of patients achieved clinical improvement.
- No significant difference in extrapyramidal side-effects observed.
- Mean daily dosage was 356.6 mg.
- Hypersalivation was the most frequent adverse effect.
Conclusions:
- Clozapine demonstrates significant efficacy in local Asian patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
- The drug is well-tolerated within this population.
- Clozapine represents a viable treatment option for refractory schizophrenia.