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Blackman G, Oloyede E, Horowitz M, Harland R, Taylor D, MacCabe J, McGuire P. Reducing the Risk of Withdrawal Symptoms and Relapse Following Clozapine Discontinuation-Is It Feasible to Develop Evidence-Based Guidelines? Schizophr Bull 2021; 48:176-189. [PMID: 34651184 PMCID: PMC8781383 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbab103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Clozapine is the only antipsychotic that is effective in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. However, in certain clinical situations, such as the emergence of serious adverse effects, it is necessary to discontinue clozapine. Stopping clozapine treatment poses a particular challenge due to the risk of psychotic relapse, as well as the development of withdrawal symptoms. Despite these challenges for the clinician, there is currently no formal guidance on how to safely to discontinue clozapine. We assessed the feasibility of developing evidence-based recommendations for (1) minimizing the risk of withdrawal symptoms, (2) managing withdrawal phenomena, and (3) commencing alternatives treatment when clozapine is discontinued. We then evaluated the recommendations against the Appraisal of Guidelines for Research and Evaluation (AGREE) II criteria. We produced 19 recommendations. The majority of these recommendation were evidence-based, although the strength of some recommendations was limited by a reliance of studies of medium to low quality. We discuss next steps in the refinement and validation of an evidence-based guideline for stopping clozapine and identify key outstanding questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham Blackman
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK,Psychosis Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK,To whom correspondence should be addressed; Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK; tel: 44-20-7848-5228, fax: 44-20-7848-0976, e-mail:
| | - Ebenezer Oloyede
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK,Psychosis Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK,Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - Mark Horowitz
- Division of Psychiatry, University College London, London, UK,North East London NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Robert Harland
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK,Psychosis Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - David Taylor
- Institute of Pharmaceutical Science, King’s College London, London, UK
| | - James MacCabe
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK,Psychosis Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | - Philip McGuire
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, UK,Psychosis Clinical Academic Group, South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
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Blackman G, Oloyede E. Clozapine discontinuation withdrawal symptoms in schizophrenia. Ther Adv Psychopharmacol 2021; 11:20451253211032053. [PMID: 34552710 PMCID: PMC8450618 DOI: 10.1177/20451253211032053] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic used in treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Whilst clozapine is highly effective, there are some clinical scenarios, such as the emergence of severe side effects, that necessitate its discontinuation. There is an emerging literature suggesting that discontinuing antipsychotics, in particular clozapine, can cause an array of withdrawal symptoms. We review the evidence for the existence of clozapine-induced withdrawal symptoms, and in particular focus on withdrawal-associated psychosis, cholinergic rebound, catatonia and serotonergic discontinuation symptoms. To date, there has been surprisingly little clinical guidance on how to minimise the likeliness of withdrawal symptoms in patients who are stopped on clozapine abruptly or gradually. We discuss the key outstanding questions in this area and why there is a need for guidance on the management of withdrawal symptoms associated with clozapine discontinuation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Graham Blackman
- Department of Psychosis Studies, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, Camberwell, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Ebenezer Oloyede
- Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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Kikuchi K, Yasui-Furukori N, Yokoyama S, Hasegawa C, Kokubun A, Katsukura S, Shimizu T, Shimoda K. Clozapine-associated severe eosinophilia following lithium rebound neutropenia: A case report. Neuropsychopharmacol Rep 2020; 40:388-391. [PMID: 32951324 PMCID: PMC7722653 DOI: 10.1002/npr2.12143] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2020] [Revised: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 08/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Clozapine use is complicated by an increased risk of hematological adverse effects such as neutropenia and, rarely, eosinophilia. Case presentation We present the case of a 48‐year‐old man with treatment‐resistant schizophrenia. On day 12 after clozapine initiation, he had a cough with a temperature of 39.8°C. On day 16, his leukocyte count had increased to 9320 cells/mm3 (neutrophils 7550 cells/mm3 and eosinophils 680 cells/mm3). We discontinued lithium because of neutrophilia and damage to renal function on day 20. His eosinophil count increased until day 29, reaching 6750 cells/mm3. We suspected a drug‐induced reaction and discontinued clozapine on day 30. His eosinophil count gradually decreased, reaching the normal range by day 40. However, his leukocyte and neutrophil counts also gradually decreased to below than the normal range by day 40. His leukocytes and neutrophil counts had recovered by day 55. Conclusion We concluded that this patient had clozapine‐associated severe eosinophilia following lithium rebound neutropenia. The eosinophil count increased reaching 6750 cells/mm3 with bronchitis and hepatitis during clozapine treatment. The leukocyte and neutrophil counts gradually decreased to below than the normal range by day 40 after discontinuation of lithium.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kota Kikuchi
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Norio Yasui-Furukori
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Saaya Yokoyama
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan.,Department of Psychiatry, Okamotodai Hospital, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Chie Hasegawa
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Atsuhiko Kokubun
- Department of Diagnostic and Generalist Medicine, School of Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Shinichi Katsukura
- Department of Diagnostic and Generalist Medicine, School of Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Taro Shimizu
- Department of Diagnostic and Generalist Medicine, School of Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University Hospital, Tochigi, Japan
| | - Kazutaka Shimoda
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Dokkyo Medical University, Tochigi, Japan
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Lander M, Bastiampillai T, Sareen J. Review of withdrawal catatonia: what does this reveal about clozapine? Transl Psychiatry 2018; 8:139. [PMID: 30065280 PMCID: PMC6068101 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-018-0192-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Revised: 03/05/2018] [Accepted: 05/11/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Withdrawal symptoms are common upon discontinuation of psychiatric medications. Catatonia, a neuropsychiatric condition proposed to be associated with gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) hypoactivity due to its robust response to benzodiazepines, has been described as a withdrawal syndrome in case reports but is not a well-recognized phenomenon. The authors undertook a review of withdrawal catatonia with an aim to understand its presentation as well as the medications and psychoactive substances it is associated with. The review identified 55 cases of withdrawal catatonia, the majority of which occurred upon discontinuation of benzodiazepines (24 cases) and discontinuation of clozapine (20 cases). No other antipsychotic medications were identified as having been associated with the onset of a catatonic episode within 2 weeks following their discontinuation. Increasing GABA activity and resultant GABA receptor adaptations with prolonged use is postulated as a shared pharmacological mechanism between clozapine and benzodiazepines that underlie their association with withdrawal catatonia. The existing evidence for clozapine's activity on the GABA system is reviewed. The clinical presentations of benzodiazepine withdrawal catatonia and clozapine withdrawal catatonia appear to differ and reasons for this are explored. One reason is that benzodiazepines act directly on GABAA receptors as allosteric agonists, while clozapine has more complex and indirect interactions, primarily through effects on receptors located on GABA interneurons. Another possible reason for the difference in clinical presentation is that clozapine withdrawal catatonia may also involve receptor adaptations in non-GABA receptors such as dopamine and acetylcholine. The findings from our review have implications for the treatment of withdrawal catatonia, and treatment recommendations are provided. Further research understanding the uniqueness of clozapine withdrawal catatonia among antipsychotic medication may give some insight as to clozapine's differential mechanism of action.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew Lander
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada.
| | - Tarun Bastiampillai
- Discipline of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Jitender Sareen
- Departments of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Community Health Sciences, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada
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Loxapine and Cyproheptadine Combined Limit Clozapine Rebound Psychosis and May Also Predict Clozapine Response. Case Rep Psychiatry 2016; 2016:6123913. [PMID: 27433365 PMCID: PMC4940529 DOI: 10.1155/2016/6123913] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/07/2016] [Accepted: 06/08/2016] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Clozapine has been consistently shown to be superior to other antipsychotics in the treatment of psychosis. However, clozapine usage has been limited due to required routine blood monitoring and the potential for life threatening side effects. We report a case of a 66-year-old female patient, who developed clozapine-induced agranulocytosis after 10 weeks of clozapine treatment and was subsequently successfully treated with a combination of loxapine and cyproheptadine. The combination is thought to mimic the pharmacological profile of clozapine, rendering it as a possible alternative to traditional clozapine treatment.
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Salomon C, Hamilton B. Antipsychotic discontinuation syndromes: a narrative review of the evidence and its integration into Australian mental health nursing textbooks. Int J Ment Health Nurs 2014; 23:69-78. [PMID: 23211033 DOI: 10.1111/j.1447-0349.2012.00889.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
In light of the high number of people discontinuing antipsychotics each year, it is essential that nurses develop a robust understanding of all aspects of the discontinuation experience. While there is a large body of published work documenting post-discontinuation relapse rates, less is known about other aspects of the discontinuation experience. This paper presents the results of a narrative review of international studies of antipsychotic discontinuation syndromes and their relevance to nursing practice. Four key mental health nursing textbooks used in student nurse education in Australia are examined to assess how this evidence has been incorporated into clinical recommendations. This review finds that the evidence for discontinuation syndromes could be more widely disseminated and applied than it is at present. Strikingly, this evidence has not been incorporated into key mental health nursing textbooks in Australia at all. Slow integration into nursing published work may be influenced by a number of clinical and research uncertainties. We consider the impact of this silence on key nursing roles of psycho-education and adverse event monitoring during antipsychotic discontinuation periods. Further robust research should be conducted into discontinuation syndromes as a matter of urgency. Given the high number of consumers potentially impacted upon by discontinuation syndromes, nurse authors and educators should consider revising key nursing textbooks to include the currently available information about discontinuation syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carmela Salomon
- Department of Nursing, School of Health Sciences, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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Conroy DA, Brower KJ. Alcohol, toxins, and medications as a cause of sleep dysfunction. HANDBOOK OF CLINICAL NEUROLOGY 2011; 98:587-612. [PMID: 21056213 DOI: 10.1016/b978-0-444-52006-7.00038-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/30/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Deirdre A Conroy
- University of Michigan Addiction Resarch Center, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2700, USA
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Hanisch F, Friedemann J, Pillmann F, Gutmann P. Combined treatment with quetiapine and sertindole in therapy refractory insomnia after clozapine discontinuation. J Psychopharmacol 2010; 24:1725-6. [PMID: 19939868 DOI: 10.1177/0269881109348159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
Insomnia associated with chronic schizophrenia and after clozapine discontinuation represents a common, but mostly not predominant, complaint and often does not respond sufficiently to classical hypnotics. We report the case of a 46-year-old patient with schizophrenia who developed a rebound insomnia confirmed by polysomnography after discontinuation of long-term treatment with clozapine and changing to sertindole therapy. Zolpidem, zolpiclone and chloral hydrate only led to short-term improvement of subjective sleep quality. An add-on therapy with 300 mg quetiapine resulted in improved subjective quality of sleep regarding sleep latency and the number of nocturnal awakenings. The combination of the two neuroleptics did not lead to increased QTc intervals (normal QTc < 450 ms) or metabolic side effects. In conclusion, the combination of sertindole and quetiapine might be a safe and effective combination in therapy-refractory insomnia after clozapine discontinuation in schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- F Hanisch
- Klinik und Poliklinik für Neurologie, Martin-Luther-Universität Halle-Wittenberg, Halle (Saale), Germany.
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Abstract
Insomnia is a common feature in schizophrenia. However, it seldom is the predominant complaint. Nevertheless, severe insomnia is often seen during exacerbations of schizophrenia, and may actually precede the appearance of other symptoms of relapse. The sleep disturbances of either never-medicated or previously treated schizophrenia patients are characterized by a sleep-onset and maintenance insomnia. In addition, stage 4 sleep, slow wave sleep (stages 3 and 4), non-REM (NREM) sleep in minutes and REM latency are decreased. The atypical antipsychotics olanzapine, risperidone, and clozapine significantly increase total sleep time and stage 2 sleep. Moreover, olanzapine and risperidone enhance slow wave sleep. On the other hand, the typical antipsychotics haloperidol, thiothixene, and flupentixol significantly reduce stage 2 sleep latency and increase sleep efficiency. Future research should address: (1) the sleep patterns in subtypes of schizophrenia patients; (2) the role of neurotransmitters other than dopamine in the disruption of sleep in schizophrenia; (3) the functional alterations in CNS areas related to the pathophysiology of schizophrenia during NREM sleep and REM sleep (brain imaging studies); (4) the short-term, intermediate-term, and long-term effects of atypical antisychotics on sleep variables.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaime M Monti
- Department of Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Clinics Hospital, 2833/602 Zudanez Street, Montevideo 11300, Uruguay.
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Abstract
The case of a young female patient is reported who was diagnosed as having her first manifestation of a paranoid schizophrenic psychosis and who was treated, mainly with clozapine, at the university psychiatric clinic for 3 years, i.e. subsequent episodes are included. Serum levels of clozapine were measured 29 times. Thus, a rather narrow-meshed schedule of therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) of clozapine was applied. It was found that relapses occurred repeatedly at low serum levels of 48, 109, and 138 ng/mL because of noncompliance by the patient during outpatient treatment, and also because the dose was lowered too hastily after partial response during inpatient treatment. Intoxication was evident at a high serum level of clozapine of 1158 ng/mL during a trial with a dose of 800 mg/d, although moderate serum levels had been found at the same dose some months before. It is concluded that TDM should be considered as being an adjunct to the treatment of schizophrenic and schizoaffective patients with clozapine, not only during inpatient treatment, but also during maintenance outpatient treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sven Ulrich
- Institute of Clinical Pharmacology, University Hospital, Magdeburg, Germany.
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Zesiewicz TA, Borra S, Hauser RA. Clozapine withdrawal symptoms in a Parkinson's disease patient. Mov Disord 2002; 17:1365-7. [PMID: 12465085 DOI: 10.1002/mds.10282] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Abrupt clozapine withdrawal can cause rebound psychosis and severe somatic symptoms in psychiatric patients. We report on the case of an advanced Parkinson's disease patient who developed myoclonus, tremor, rigidity, hyperreflexia, and stupor after abrupt clozapine withdrawal. The patient's symptoms resolved with treatment with cyproheptadine. This clinical picture suggests serotonergic rebound as an explanation for the patient's symptoms, although other pharmacological mechanisms are possible. Clozapine should be gradually withdrawn over a period of 1 to 2 weeks when possible, and abruptly discontinued only when necessary.
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Affiliation(s)
- Theresa A Zesiewicz
- Department of Neurology, Parkinson's Disease and Movement Disorders Center, University of South Florida and Tampa General Healthcare, Tampa, Florida 33606, USA.
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Affiliation(s)
- J Mintzer
- Medical University of South Carolina, Department of Psychiatry (PH-141), Charleston 29425, USA.
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Delassus-Guenault N, Jegouzo A, Odou P, Seguret T, Zangerlin H, Vignole E, Robert H. Clozapine-olanzapine: a potentially dangerous switch. A report of two cases. J Clin Pharm Ther 1999; 24:191-5. [PMID: 10438178 DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2710.1999.00218.x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Withdrawal symptoms associated with switch between two typical antipsychotics are generally rare and mild. In contrast, switching from clozapine to risperidone can be lead to severe withdrawal symptoms. Different pathophysiologic aetiologies have been suggested for explaining these severe symptoms, including cholinergic supersensitivity and rebound. Theoretically, the switch from clozapine to olanzapine should not lead to any problems because those two agents have the same affinity in vitro for muscarinic receptors. OBJECTIVE This study reports two cases of switches from clozapine to olanzapine, in refractory schizophrenic patients, which were associated with severe withdrawal symptoms. RESULTS After the switch, the two patients developed diaphoresis, hypersialorrhea, bronchial obstruction, agitation, anxiety and enuresis. The symptoms were treated with anticholinergic medication and by an increase in dose of olanzapine to 20 mg/day. For one of the patients this treatment led to normalization of secretion. For the other patient, a superinfection leading to a bilateral pneumopathy which required emergency hospitalization in a general hospital was observed. CONCLUSION The symptomatology and the response to treatment lead to the hypothesis of a muscarinic from abrupt weaning. The withdrawal symptoms disappeared rapidly with an increase in olanzapine dosage and with anticholinergic started at the beginning of the switch. We recommend slow clozapine weaning over 3 weeks or more with concurrent anticholinergic treatment.
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