Clozapine-induced electroencephalogram changes as a function of clozapine serum levels.
Specific electroencephalogram (EEG) changes during clozapine therapy were prospectively studied in a cohort of 50 chronic state hospital patients with schizophrenia who were randomly assigned to one of three nonoverlapping clozapine serum level ranges (50-150 ng/mL, 200-300 ng/mL, and 350-450 ng/mL). EEGs were obtained before clozapine was instituted, and after 10 weeks of treatment. Fifty-three percent of patients showed EEG changes during the 10-week study period. We observed three seizures (6%), one in a patient on 900 mg (serum level 320 ng/mL) clozapine, and two in patients with lower clozapine serum levels (200-300 ng/mL) who had prior histories of seizures and inadequate valproate coverage. Thirteen percent of patients developed spikes with no relationship to dose or serum level of clozapine. Fifty-three percent of patients developed slowing on EEG. Compared to plasma levels below 300 ng/mL, a clozapine serum level between 350 and 450 ng/mL led to more frequent and more severe slowing. The EEG slowing correlated with observed sleepiness, although this factor was not sufficient to explain the severity of high-dose effects.
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Related Subject Headings
- Seizures
- Schizophrenic Psychology
- Schizophrenia
- Psychotic Disorders
- Psychiatry
- Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
- Prospective Studies
- Middle Aged
- Male
- Humans
Citation
Published In
DOI
ISSN
Publication Date
Volume
Issue
Start / End Page
Location
Related Subject Headings
- Seizures
- Schizophrenic Psychology
- Schizophrenia
- Psychotic Disorders
- Psychiatry
- Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
- Prospective Studies
- Middle Aged
- Male
- Humans