Myoclonic epileptic seizures during clozapine treatment: a report of three cases

Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 1991;240(6):370-2. doi: 10.1007/BF02279769.

Abstract

Three adult schizophrenic patients without a previous history of epilepsy are reported who, during clozapine treatment, developed paroxysmal EEG patterns and generalized myoclonic jerks without alteration of consciousness. These seizures were phenomenologically identical to those occurring in juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and were classified as generalized epileptic seizures. We tentatively conclude that generalized myoclonic epileptic seizures may be induced by clozapine.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cerebral Cortex / drug effects
  • Cerebral Cortex / physiopathology
  • Clozapine / adverse effects*
  • Clozapine / therapeutic use
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Electroencephalography / drug effects*
  • Epilepsies, Myoclonic / chemically induced*
  • Epilepsies, Myoclonic / physiopathology
  • Evoked Potentials / drug effects
  • Evoked Potentials / physiology
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy*
  • Schizophrenia / physiopathology
  • Schizophrenic Psychology*

Substances

  • Clozapine