Details

Autor(en) / Beteiligte

• Rubio, J. M.
• Kane, J. M.

Titel

How and when to use clozapine

Ist Teil von

• Acta psychiatrica Scandinavica, 2020-03, Vol.141 (3), p.178-189

Ort / Verlag

United States: Blackwell Publishing Ltd

Erscheinungsjahr

2020

Quelle

Psychology & Behavioral Sciences Collection

Beschreibungen/Notizen

• Objective Clozapine is the only approved strategy for treatment‐resistant schizophrenia, although it is highly underutilized. We aim to generate practical and actionable evidence‐based recommendations for the use of this drug considering prescription barriers. Method Narrative review. Results A consistent body of evidence supports the efficacy of clozapine reducing morbidity and mortality in schizophrenia. The main obstacles to its use are the lack of experience by prescribers and perceived treatment burden. Systematic screening of eligibility, utilization of available resources for consultation, developing a professional network with other stakeholders, as well as optimizing how clozapine is presented to patients is discussed. Furthermore, specific evidence‐based recommendations for initiation, maintenance, and safety monitoring with clozapine are provided. Conclusion Clozapine prescription is one of the areas in psychiatry with the greatest mismatch between efficacy and utilization in clinical practice. Although multiple barriers to the use of clozapine exist, some of these may be overcome by updates of routine clinical practice.