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Pharmacopsychiatry 2010; 43(6): 216-220
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1254089
Original Paper

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Long-Term Efficacy and Tolerability of Clozapine Combined with Ziprasidone or Risperidone

A. Kuwilsky1 , B. Krumm1 , S. Englisch1 , H. Dressing1 , M. Zink1
  • 1Central Institute of Mental Health, Department of Psychiatry and Psychotherapy, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany
Further Information

Publication History

received 22.10.2009 revised 05.02.2010

accepted 05.03.2010

Publication Date:
29 June 2010 (online)

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Abstract

Introduction: Treatment resistance in schizophrenia often leads to add-on of atypical antipsychotics to clozapine.

Methods: In a randomized trial, we recently obtained evidence for comparable efficacy and differential side effects of clozapine in combination with ziprasidone (CZ, N=12) versus risperidone (CR, N=12). Here, we present the open-label, long-term evaluations of these patients after 26 and 52 weeks.

Results: Sustained improvements of psychopathology as assessed by PANSS (positive and negative syndrome scale), SANS (scale for the assessment of negative symptoms), and HAMD (Hamilton depression scale) were documented in both subsamples being treated according to protocol, while dropouts reduced the study sample after 26 (CZ: reduced by −4; CR: −2) and 52 weeks (CZ: −0; CR: −5). We observed a slight increase of akathisia in the CZ group whereas general clozapine-associated side effects improved.

Discussion: The combinations of clozapine with ziprasidone or risperidone exhibit long-term efficacy, but the level of evidence is limited. Further head-to-head comparisons of atypical antipsychotics as add-on to clozapine are necessary.

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Correspondence

PD Dr. med. M. Zink

Central Institute of Mental

Health

Department of Psychiatry and

Psychotherapy

P. O. Box: 12 21 20

68072 Mannheim

Germany

Phone: +49/621/1703 2911

Fax: +49/621/1703 1205

Email: mathias.zink@zi-mannheim.de

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