Clozapine for psychosis in Parkinson's disease

Mov Disord. 1990;5(3):239-42. doi: 10.1002/mds.870050310.

Abstract

The clinical efficacy of clozapine, an atypical antipsychotic, in treating levodopa-induced hallucinations was investigated in five patients with Parkinson's disease under open label conditions. Two patients could not tolerate clozapine, even in doses as low as 12.5-25 mg daily, because of extreme sedation. Three patients could tolerate clozapine and experienced improvement or elimination of their hallucinations at doses below 100 mg daily. Despite a significant risk of adverse effects, cautious use of clozapine in low doses may be beneficial for patients with levodopa-induced psychosis who do not respond to more conservative measures.

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Clozapine / therapeutic use*
  • Dibenzazepines / therapeutic use*
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Hallucinations / chemically induced*
  • Hallucinations / drug therapy
  • Hallucinations / etiology
  • Humans
  • Levodopa / adverse effects*
  • Male
  • Parkinson Disease / complications*
  • Parkinson Disease / drug therapy

Substances

  • Dibenzazepines
  • Levodopa
  • Clozapine