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04. Clozapine Augmentation for Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia: What Does the Evidence Say?

Published on December 11, 2017 Expired on April 1, 2021

David Osser, M.D.

Associate Professor of Psychiatry - Harvard Medical School

Key Points

  • If clozapine monotherapy is ineffective, augmentation can be tried
    • The evidence base is limited
    • Risperidone, lamotrigine, topiramate, or ECT are potential options

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Transcript

We are now at the tail end of the algorithm. What do you do if even clozapine has not produced a satisfactory response? Node 4, clozapine augmentation.
Up to 30% of people with refractory schizophrenia treated with clozapine exhibit residual positive symptoms. So what to do? Clozapine augmentation is a common approach. Unfortunately, positive evidence supporting augmentation is very limited.

 

 

 

 

 

 

References

  1. Meltzer HY, Bastani B, Kwon KY, Ramirez LF, Burnett S, Sharpe J. A prospective study of clozapine in treatmentresistant schizophrenic patients . I. Preliminary report. Psychopharmacology (Berl) 1989;99 suppl:S68Y72.
  2. Buckley P, Miller A, Olsen J, Garver D, Miller DD, Csernansky J. When symptoms persist: clozapine augmentation strategies . Schizophr Bull 2001;27:615Y28
  3. Moore TA, Buchanan RW, Buckley PF, et al. The Texas Medication Algorithm Project antipsychotic algorithm for schizophrenia: 2006 update . J Clin Psychiatry 2007;68: 1751Y62
  4. Tiihonen J, Wahlbeck K, Kiviniemi V. The efficacy of lamotrigine in clozapine-resistant schizophrenia: a systematic review and meta-analysis . Schizophr Res 2009;109: 10Y4
  5. Weiner E, Conley RR, Ball MP, et al. Adjunctive risperidone for partially responsive people with schizophrenia treated with clozapine . Neuropsychopharmacology 2010;35:2274Y83.
  6. Petrides, G., et al (2014). Electroconvulsive therapy augmentation in clozapine-resistant schizophrenia: a prospective, randomized study . American Journal of Psychiatry, 172(1), 52-58.
  7. Havaki-Kontaxaki, B. J., (2006). Concurrent administration of clozapine and electroconvulsive therapy in clozapine-resistant schizophrenia . Clinical neuropharmacology, 29(1), 52-56.
  8. Melzer-Ribeiro, Debora Luciana, et al. “Efficacy of electroconvulsive therapy augmentation for partial response to clozapine: a pilot randomized ECT–sham controlled trial.” Archives of Clinical Psychiatry (São Paulo) 44.2 (2017): 45-50.
  9. Hahn, Margaret K., et al. Topiramate in schizophrenia: a review of effects on psychopathology and metabolic parameters . Clinical schizophrenia & related psychoses 6.4 (2013): 186-196.

Learning Objectives:

After completing this activity, the learner will be able to:

  1. Apply an evidence-based algorithm for the treatment of schizophrenia

Original Release Date: 12/11/2017

Expiration Date: 04/01/2021

Relevant Financial Disclosures:

The following planners, faculty, and reviewers have the following relevant financial relationships with commercial interests to disclose:

Dr. Osser has disclosed the following relationships:

  • CreateSpace Publishers: Author of Psychopharmacology: A Concise Overview for Students and Clinicians, 2nd edition 2015

All of the relevant financial relationships listed for these individuals have been mitigated.

Contact Information: For questions regarding the content or access to this activity, contact us at support@psychopharmacologyinstitute.com

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