Clozapine Usage in Turkish Society: A General Review
Nergis LAPSEKILI*, Mehmet AK**, Zekeriya YELBOĞA***

* Uzm.Dr., Asker Hastanesi Psikiyatri Kliniği, Çorlu, Tekirdağ, Türkiye
** Yrd.Doç.Dr., Gülhane Askeri Tıp Akademisi Tıp Fak. Psikiyatri Anabilim Dalı, Ankara, Türkiye
*** Uzm.Dr. Asker Hastanesi Psikiyatri Kliniği, Sivas, Türkiye
° Corresponding Author E-mail: nergislapsekili@yahoo.com

Summary

Introduction: There are many studies carried out on clozapine usage and lots of detailed data have been gathered for these studies. However, there are only a few studies done in Turkey. In this article, we decided to review Turkey’s data on clozapine usage.
Method: Databases have been scanned in order to have access to the studies on Turkey society’s usage of clozapine.

Results: Five case reports, three follow-up studies and a case comparison study were found. In follow-up and case comparison studies, clozapine is reported to be an efficient treatment option. In the five case reports where the patient developed clozapine related pericarditis, agranulocytosis, obsessive-compulsive behavior, malign neuroleptic syndrome and myoclonia, the treatments were terminated, except for the one case with the obsessive-compulsive disorder, in which the treatment was continued using an additional medication. While it is reported in one of the studies that the treatment was not terminated due to the results of the case, it is reported that 3 of 29 patients in another study had to be released due to side effects.
Discussion: Finally, even though it is a well known fact that clozapine is useful in treatment and results in obtaining well-being in resistant schizophrenia cases, both the number of cases with serious side-effects and non-followed cases are very high both in Turkey and abroad. In order to determine the effective dose, dose-side effects relationship, and the dose effectiveness of clozapine in Turkish society, more case reports and better designed studies are necessary.

Key Words :
Clozapine, side effects, effectiveness