Use of clozapine in Brazilian patients with Parkinson's disease

Arq Neuropsiquiatr. 2008 Sep;66(3B):611-4. doi: 10.1590/s0004-282x2008000500001.

Abstract

Clozapine has been used as an attempt to manage levodopa complications in advanced Parkinson's disease (PD). To investigate the use of clozapine in this context in a Brazilian sample, a retrospective chart review was carried out at the Movement Disorders Clinic from the Federal University of Minas Gerais. This study enrolled 43 PD patients who used or were in use of clozapine. Patients had a mean age of 64 years and a mean UPDRS score of 55. Clozapine was indicated for dyskinesias in 17 patients, for psychosis in 15 and for both reasons in 11. The average maximum dose was 70 mg/day. Twenty six patients used it for a mean of 3.5 years. Twenty nine presented an improvement of their condition, 9 remained clinically stable. Twenty subjects interrupted the use of clozapine, being 9 due to adverse effects. Clozapine may play a role in the management of motor and psychiatric complications in PD, but it is associated with low tolerability.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antiparkinson Agents / adverse effects
  • Antiparkinson Agents / therapeutic use
  • Antipsychotic Agents / adverse effects
  • Antipsychotic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Clozapine / adverse effects
  • Clozapine / therapeutic use*
  • Drug Therapy, Combination
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / drug therapy*
  • Dyskinesia, Drug-Induced / etiology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / adverse effects
  • Levodopa / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy*
  • Parkinson Disease / psychology
  • Psychoses, Substance-Induced / drug therapy*
  • Psychoses, Substance-Induced / etiology
  • Retrospective Studies

Substances

  • Antiparkinson Agents
  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Levodopa
  • Clozapine