Seizures during clozapine therapy

J Clin Psychiatry. 1994 Sep:55 Suppl B:153-6.

Abstract

Seizures are an important adverse effect of clozapine therapy; a cumulative 10% risk of tonic-clonic seizures is estimated after 3.8 years of treatment. Although the risk of seizures may be increased by rapid upward titration and higher doses, recent data do not clearly confirm the dose-dependent effect. The vast majority of clozapine-related seizures are tonic-clonic, although myoclonic seizures also occur. The role of the EEG in predicting the occurrence of clozapine-induced seizures remains uncertain. In patients with clozapine-related seizures, either reducing the dose or adding an antiepileptic medication usually allows continuation of therapy.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Anticonvulsants / therapeutic use
  • Clozapine / adverse effects*
  • Clozapine / therapeutic use
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Electroencephalography
  • Epilepsies, Myoclonic / chemically induced
  • Epilepsies, Myoclonic / epidemiology
  • Epilepsy / chemically induced*
  • Epilepsy / drug therapy
  • Epilepsy / epidemiology
  • Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / chemically induced
  • Epilepsy, Tonic-Clonic / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Incidence
  • Risk Factors
  • Schizophrenia / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anticonvulsants
  • Clozapine