Prevalence and nature of side effects during clozapine maintenance treatment and the relationship with clozapine dose and plasma concentration.

摘要: Clozapine is associated with non-neurological side effects that can be subjectively unpleasant and/or clinically serious. We sought to: (i) assess the nature and prevalence of experienced by patients receiving maintenance treatment clozapine (ii) explore relationship between plasma concentration effect burden. Patients were treatment. Open questioning followed systematic enquiry using Antipsychotic Non-neurological Side Effects Rating Scale used to effects. Trough norclozapine concentrations measured. One hundred three participated. On open questioning, 61 reported a total 117 effects, whereas identified an additional 649 each patient reporting at least one. significantly but weakly correlated score (Pearson correlation=0.29, P 0.25 mg/l more likely have moderate/severe than lower (63/76 vs. 12/23, chi=9.07, d.f.=1, P<0.01). The side-effect burden high true extent only ascertained inquiry. use target below those for acute should explored as strategy minimizing