Korean J Schizophr Res.  2021 Apr;24(1):1-7. 10.16946/kjsr.2021.24.1.1.

Current Status of Clozapine for Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia

• Kim SH

• KMID: 2515675
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.16946/kjsr.2021.24.1.1

Abstract

Clozapine is the first and most effective atypical antipsychotic drug for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). After withdrawal of clozapine due to concerns of agranulocytosis, clozapine was reintroduced with a comprehensive safety monitoring system, the clozapine patient monitoring system (CPMS). The reintroduction was a response to the pressure from psychiatrists and patients with TRS and their families. Clozapine is still the best single agent for the treatment of TRS. However, approximately 30% of patients with TRS still show psychotic symptoms. In patients with clozapine-resistant schizophrenia (CRS), augmentation of other antipsychotic agents could be considered after a thorough evaluation of proper clozapine treatment. In this review, the status of clozapine in patients with TRS and CRS will be discussed.

Keyword

Antipsychotics; Clozapine; Schizophrenia; Treatment-resistant schizophrenia; 조현병; 치료저항성 조현병; 클로자핀; 항정신병약물

Figure

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  Fig. 1. Chemical structures of chlorpromazine and clozapine.

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