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Miura G, Tanaka K, Kemuriyama T, Misawa F, Uchida H, Mimura M, Takeuchi H. Clinical Outcomes after Clozapine Discontinuation in Patients with Schizophrenia: A Systematic Review. PHARMACOPSYCHIATRY 2022; 55:181-192. [PMID: 35512817 DOI: 10.1055/a-1811-7318] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Clozapine is the gold standard of treatment for patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. However, approximately 60% of those patients do not respond to clozapine; moreover, clinical outcomes after clozapine discontinuation are unclear so far. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review to clarify the outcomes after clozapine discontinuation. METHODS A systematic literature search was conducted, using MEDLINE and Embase with the following keywords: (clozapine AND (cessation* OR cease* OR withdraw* OR discontinu* OR halt* OR stop* OR switch*) AND (schizophreni* OR schizoaffective)). RESULTS A total of 28 clinical studies from 27 articles were identified and included in this systematic review. Three randomized controlled trials reported worsening of psychiatric symptoms. In 10 single-arm studies, the results of worsening and improving psychiatric symptoms were inconsistent. In one large retrospective cohort study, clozapine rechallenge, olanzapine, and antipsychotic polypharmacy had lower rehospitalization rates compared to no medication after clozapine discontinuation. In the other 14 retrospective studies, the vast majority showed worsening of clinical status after clozapine discontinuation. Among five studies on clinical outcomes after clozapine rechallenge, four reported improvements in clinical status in more than half of patients who rechallenged clozapine. The remaining study reported that the clozapine discontinuation-rechallenge group had a worse remission assessment score than the clozapine discontinuation-no rechallenge group. DISCUSSION Clinical outcomes generally worsen after clozapine discontinuation. Clozapine rechallenge and olanzapine may be considered following clozapine discontinuation. The outcomes after clozapine discontinuation in clozapine non-responders remain inconclusive; therefore, well-designed studies are warranted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kouhei Tanaka
- Yamanashi Prefectural Kita Hospital, Yamanashi, Japan
| | | | | | - Hiroyuki Uchida
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masaru Mimura
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroyoshi Takeuchi
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Keio University School of Medicine, Tokyo, Japan
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Li W, Liu Y, Jiang H, Du J, Zhao Y, Du Z, Li S, Wang H. A Case Report of Excessive Use of Clozapine Combined With Clonazepam. Front Psychiatry 2022; 13:831276. [PMID: 35242065 PMCID: PMC8885542 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2022.831276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Accepted: 01/04/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION For patients with schizophrenia, clozapine (CLZ) in combination with clonazepam (CLNAZ) is one of the viable therapeutic options. We successfully reduced the doses of CLZ and CLNAZ to the safe range of a polydrug abuse patient. As far as we know, this is the first case of this problem. As there are no relevant guidelines to reduce CLZ or CLNAZ, we hope to share this case to provide a reference for the prevention and treatment of similar patients with multidrug abuse. CASE PRESENTATION This case report describes a 46-year-old male with a 24-year history of schizophrenia. His main clinical manifestations are auditory hallucinations, persecutory delusion, and emotional instability. In 2012, the patient started taking rifampicin due to tuberculosis and gradually overused CLZ and CLNAZ. Before admission, he took 1,275 mg of CLZ every day and 26 mg of CLNAZ every night. With the help of Therapeutic Drug Monitoring (TDM) and pharmacogenetic testing, we gradually reduced his daily dose of CLZ and CLNAZ and formulated a more reasonable dosing schedule for him. At the time of discharge, the patient took CLZ 450 mg per day and CLNAZ 2 mg per night, with no obvious symptoms of psychosis. CONCLUSION In the process of drug maintenance treatment of schizophrenia, it is necessary to adopt TDM strategy to reduce and treat the abuse of multiple prescription drugs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei Li
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.,Alzheimer's Disease and Related Disease Center, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Liu
- Shanghai Baoshan Mental Health Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Haifeng Jiang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China.,Shanghai Mental Health Center Clinical Research Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Jiang Du
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yan Zhao
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Zheyi Du
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shuo Li
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Haihong Wang
- Shanghai Mental Health Center, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiaotong University, Shanghai, China
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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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Ucok A, Yağcıoğlu EA, Yıldız M, Kaymak SU, Saka MC, Taşdelen R, Danacı AE, Şenol ŞH. Reasons for clozapine discontinuation in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Psychiatry Res 2019; 275:149-154. [PMID: 30908979 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.01.110] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/11/2018] [Revised: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023]
Abstract
Although clozapine is more effective than other antipsychotics in the treatment of schizophrenia, the rate of its discontinuation is also high. The aim of this retrospective chart-review study was to investigate the causes of clozapine discontinuation in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. This study included a total of 396 patients with schizophrenia, 240 still on clozapine therapy and 156 who discontinued clozapine, and compared their clinical characteristics. Those who discontinued clozapine had a longer history of illness and more hospitalizations before clozapine and tended to be older. Inadequate response was more common among clozapine discontinuers compared to continuers. The most common reason for discontinuation was the side-effects associated with clozapine (49%). Discontinuation from patient decision or by the psychiatrist due to noncompliance was the second (29.7%) and discontinuation due to lack of efficacy was the third most frequent reason (21.3%). The patients who discontinued clozapine because of cardiac side effects were younger, had shorter duration of clozapine use, and had lower maximum clozapine dose compared to the other discontinuers. Our findings point out the importance of enhancing psychiatrists' ability to handle manageable side effects to minimize discontinuations and maximize the benefits of clozapine in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alp Ucok
- Istanbul University, Istanbul Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Istanbul, Turkey.
| | - Elif Anıl Yağcıoğlu
- Hacettepe University, Hacettepe Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Mustafa Yıldız
- Kocaeli University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Kocaeli, Turkey
| | - Semra Ulusoy Kaymak
- Ataturk Research and Training Hospital, Department of Psychiatry, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Meram Can Saka
- Ankara University, Ankara Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Rümeysa Taşdelen
- Marmara University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Istanbul, Turkey
| | - Ayşen Esen Danacı
- Celal Bayar University, Faculty of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Manisa, Turkey
| | - Şevin Hun Şenol
- Sanliurfa Research and Training Hospital, Psychiatry Clinic, Urfa, Turkey
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