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Clozapine: the Holywell experience with the first 24 patients

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  13 June 2014

David J King*
Affiliation:
Department of Therapeutics and Pharmacology, The Queen's University of Belfast, Whitla Medical Building, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL and Holywell Hospital, Antrim BT41 2RJ, Northern Ireland
Philip J Mills
Affiliation:
Department of Therapeutics and Pharmacology, The Queen's University of Belfast, Whitla Medical Building, 97 Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7BL and Holywell Hospital, Antrim BT41 2RJ, Northern Ireland
*
(Department of Therapeutics and Pharmacology)

Abstract

Clozapine was substituted for standard antipsychotic drugs in the treatment of 24 chronic schizophrenic inpatients and the response assessed after a mean of ten months. The majority (71%) improved (33.3% markedly), on their previous level of functioning. The response was better in those under 40 years of age, but neither duration of illness nor previous neuroleptic dose appeared to predict response to clozapine. The drug was ultimately discontinued in five (21%) patients – in three because of non-response and intolerance of sedation and in two because of neutropenia.

Type
Clinical & Brief Reports
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1993

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