Factors associated with subjective side-effects during clozapine treatment.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

Clozapine is associated with subjectively unpleasant or clinically serious side-effects, which may affect treatment adherence. The aims of the study were to explore the association of clozapine+ norclozapine serum concentration and other factors with subjective side-effects in schizophrenia patients.

METHODS:

In this cross-sectional study, 237 patients with a diagnosis of schizophrenia, schizo-affective or other non-organic psychoses completed the Liverpool University Neuroleptic Side Effect Rating Scale (LUNSERS), a self-report scale measuring side-effects of antipsychotics and a clinical questionnaire. Clozapine+ norclozapine serum concentration of 190 patients was measured. Of the patients 80 (33.7%) were on antipsychotic combination therapy.

RESULTS:

Higher clozapine+ norclozapine concentrations were associated with the depression-anxiety factor of LUNSERS and antipsychotic combination treatments were associated with sympatichotonia-tension factor. Younger patients reported sedation more often than older patients.

CONCLUSION:

According to the present results, high clozapine concentrations were associated with depression-anxiety symptoms, but the causality remains unknown.

• Authors: Niko Seppälä, Esa Leinonen, Merja Viikki, Anssi Solismaa, Timo Nuolivirta, Olli Kampman
• Journal: Nordic journal of psychiatry (Nord J Psychiatry) Vol. 69 Issue 3 Pg. 161-6 (Apr 2015) ISSN: 1502-4725 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 25225739 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Antipsychotic Agents
• norclozapine
• Clozapine

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Antipsychotic Agents (blood, therapeutic use)
• Anxiety (epidemiology)
• Causality
• Clozapine (analogs & derivatives, blood, therapeutic use)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Depression (epidemiology)
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Medication Adherence
• Middle Aged
• Psychotic Disorders (drug therapy)
• Risk Factors
• Schizophrenia (drug therapy)
• Self Report
• Sleep Stages
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Young Adult