Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
. 2016 May-Jun;38(3):224-33.
doi: 10.4103/0253-7176.183091.

Metabolic Disturbances, Side Effect Profile and Effectiveness of Clozapine in Adolescents

Sandeep Grover  1 , Nandita Hazari  1 , Subho Chakrabarti  1 , Ajit Avasthi  1
Affiliations

Metabolic Disturbances, Side Effect Profile and Effectiveness of Clozapine in Adolescents

Sandeep Grover et al. Indian J Psychol Med. 2016 May-Jun.

Abstract

Introduction: Data on effect of clozapine on metabolic syndrome in adolescent patients with psychosis are limited. This study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and incidence of metabolic syndrome in children and adolescents with psychotic disorders prior to clozapine and while receiving clozapine. Secondary aims were to study the effectiveness and side effect profile of clozapine.

Materials and methods: Thirteen child and adolescent patients were evaluated at baseline, 3 months, and a follow-up beyond 6 months. Assessments were made for metabolic profile, effectiveness by positive and negative syndrome scale (PANSS), and side effects.

Results: Prior to starting of clozapine, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 23%. After 3 months on clozapine, 38.5% (5/13) patients fulfilled criteria of metabolic syndrome and further on follow-up beyond 6 months (with last observation carried forward) 46.2% (6/13) had developed metabolic syndrome. There was a significant reduction in PANSS scores at 3 months and follow-up more so in those who developed metabolic syndrome at 3 months. Among the other side effects, hypersalivation was the most common side effect (100%) followed by sedation (69%).

Conclusion: Half the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in adolescents on clozapine can be attributed to other factors prior to starting of clozapine, and another half can be attributed to clozapine. Clozapine is effective in an adolescent population.

Keywords: Adolescent; clozapine; metabolic syndrome; schizophrenia.

PubMed Disclaimer

References

    1. Citrome L. A systematic review of meta-analyses of the efficacy of oral atypical antipsychotics for the treatment of adult patients with schizophrenia. Expert Opin Pharmacother. 2012;13:1545–73. - PubMed
    1. Vitiello B, Correll C, van Zwieten-Boot B, Zuddas A, Parellada M, Arango C. Antipsychotics in children and adolescents: Increasing use, evidence for efficacy and safety concerns. Eur Neuropsychopharmacol. 2009;19:629–35. - PubMed
    1. Sarkar S, Grover S. Antipsychotics in children and adolescents with schizophrenia: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Indian J Pharmacol. 2013;45:439–46. - PMC - PubMed
    1. Kranzler HN, Cohen SD. Psychopharmacologic treatment of psychosis in children and adolescents: Efficacy and management. Child Adolesc Psychiatr Clin N Am. 2013;22:727–44. - PubMed
    1. Shaw P, Sporn A, Gogtay N, Overman GP, Greenstein D, Gochman P, et al. Childhood-onset schizophrenia: A double-blind, randomized clozapine-olanzapine comparison. Arch Gen Psychiatry. 2006;63:721–30. - PubMed

LinkOut - more resources