The efficacy of clozapine in a group treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients -

Typical neuroleptics drugs and psychosocial therapy have been reported to be effective in approximately % 70 of patients who meet the criteria for schizophrenia. However, approximately % 30 of the patients is treatment-resistant. Clozapine is a new agent for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. The aim of this study was to examine the efficacy of clozapine in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Fourty seven treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients who admitted to KTU Medical Faculty Farabi Hospitals have been participated in this open study. At baseline and treatment months 1, 3, 6, 12, 18 or endpoint, patients were evaluated with the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Clinical Global Impression (CGI) and UKU Side Effects Rating Scale. The statistical analyses were performed by using SPSS packet program. Clozapine significantly reduced total BPRS scores and CGI scores at the end of the study. Clozapine was found in 18-month trial in decreasing positive and negative symptoms in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Of interest was the rapid improvement in symptoms. The most frequent side effects were found as sedation, hypersalivation, weight gain and other anticholinergic side effects. The results of this study confirm the previous findings of clozapine superiority in treatment-resistant schizophrenia