Side effects of clozapine in treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients

Background and Çlozapine is an antipsychotic with the least extrapyramidal side effects and more agranulositosis than typical antipsychotics. Çlozapine has the unique effects on the treatment-resistant schizophrenia but with threatening side effects on the patients. Thus we did this prospective study in order to identufy the side effects of clozapine in Ïranian treatment-resistant schizopherenic patients at Razi psychiatric center, Ïran. We selected 80 treatment-resistant schizopherenic patients on the basis of DSM-ÏV. Âfter 2 weeks drug free period, The aptients received haloperidol for 6 weeks and then 40 patients were selected with BPRS score above 45. These patients took clozapine with the similar way which increased to 900 mg/day. They were assessed by internal side effects, ËPS questionnaires and laboratory examination weekly followed for 20 weeks. The results showed that 8 patients were excluded from study due to severe side effects. The most prevalent internal side effects were fatigue, sedation and siallorrhea the most prevalent extrapyramidal symptom. The difference between the mean of WBÇ, RBÇ and hemoglobin and the score of ËPS in the early and late stages of treatment were not significant statistically, but significant for platelet. Çonclusion: Çareful clinical monitoring of the physical status and specially hematological status during treatment with clozapine and education to the patients and their care givers carers can prevent fatality by early recognition of severe side effects.