Open AccessA Low Clozapine Dose Improved Refractory Tardive Dystonia without Exacerbating Psychiatric Symptoms: A Case Report
Author(s) -
Naomichi Okamoto,
Yuki Konishi,
Hirofumi Tesen,
Atsuko Ikenouchi,
Reiji Yoshimura
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international medical case reports journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.198
H-Index - 11
ISSN - 1179-142X
DOI - 10.2147/imcrj.s307410
Subject(s) - medicine , clozapine , refractory (planetary science) , dystonia , psychiatry , schizophrenia (object oriented programming) , pediatrics , physics , astrobiology
Clozapine is recommended for patients with schizophrenia and tardive dystonia (TD); however, the appropriate dose remains unclear. In this case, a low dose (150 mg/day) of clozapine improved refractory TD and further ameliorated psychiatric symptoms. Herein, we report on a 41-year-old female with schizophrenia and TD who was treated with a low clozapine dose. After eight weeks of continuous clozapine at 150 mg/day (16 weeks after clozapine initiation), her TD dramatically improved, and her psychiatric symptoms were relieved. Low clozapine doses could ameliorate refractory TD. However, this effect might require up to several weeks. Clinicians should be patient unless they consider it better to increase the clozapine dose.