Abstract
Clozapine is known to be beneficial for the treatment of dopamine agonist-induced psychotic states in patients with Parkinson's disease (PD). Many reports have suggested that it may also be efficacious for the treatment of parkinsonian tremor. We describe a patient with schizophrenia in whom early-onset PD appeared after treatment with antipsychotic drugs. When the parkinsonian symptoms proved resistant to anticholinergic agents, we introduced a trial with up to 50 mg clozapine daily, which yielded a prompt and dramatic response. Thereafter, the parkinsonian symptoms reappeared each time the patient discontinued clozapine and rapidly disappeared on its repeat initiation. There was also a marked improvement in his psychotic and depressive symptoms. This report suggests that some patients with concomitant schizophrenia and PD - a difficult treatment challenge - may benefit from clozapine treatment alone for both disorders.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 117-119 |
Number of pages | 3 |
Journal | Clinical Neuropharmacology |
Volume | 24 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 2001 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- Clozapine
- Dopamine
- Extrapyramidal signs
- Neuroleptic
- Parkinson's disease
- Schizophrenia