Clozaril study

Mental Health Nursing,  Jan/Feb 2002  

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Preliminary results from a study being performed at the Maudsley Hospital in south London show that on average, patients wait nearly five years time from the failure of two different antipsychotic drugs to the prescribing of clozapine with some not receiving treatment for over 14 years.

David Taylor, chief pharmacist at the Maudsley Hospital and one of the study authors, said:

"The results of this ongoing study strongly suggest that clozapine treatment is being delayed for much longer than is necessary or prudent."

Mr Taylor is one of a group of clinical and scientific experts who argue that clozapine is not being used optimally.

Earlier this year, the group met to discuss their experiences of clozapine and these have been published in a book edited by the chair of that meeting, Robert Kerwin, Professor of Clinical Neuropharmacology at the Institute of Psychiatry in London.

"The general consensus was that clozapine should be used earlier if patients do not respond to treatment (within six months of diagnosis), definitions of treatment resistance should be simple and practical, and multiple use of other atypicals in chronic illness is largely not worthwhile," said Professor Kerwin.

Copyright Community Psychiatric Nurses Association Jan/Feb 2002
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