| Article ID | Journal | Published Year | Pages | File Type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2566240 | Progress in Neuro-Psychopharmacology and Biological Psychiatry | 2006 | 14 Pages |
PurposeTo evaluate clinical efficacy of clozapine in relation with its plasma level in a group of Chinese patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia. In addition, the relationship between plasma level and side effects were examined.MethodFifty-one patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia were put on a fixed dose of clozapine at 300 mg/day for 6 weeks. Non-responders to week 6 received 500 mg/day in subsequent 6 weeks. Responders to week 6 continued to receive 300 mg/day. Clozapine plasma levels were checked at weeks 6 and 12.FindingsNo association was found between clozapine plasma level, response and side effects. Sodium valproate was found to elevate clozapine plasma level while lowering norclozapine/clozapine ratio.ConclusionClozapine plasma level was not found to be associated with response and side effect in Chinese treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients. Various explanations were postulated for the lack of relationship observed between clozapine plasma level and response in this population.
