An open clinical trial with clozapine in treatment-resistant schizophrenics.

In an open trial, drug-resistant schizophrenics were treated with clozapine for sixteen weeks. The patients were rated on BPRS, PANSS, Side effects scale and Global Impression Scale at weeks 0. 9 and 16. A battery of base-line investigations were done, and hemogram was repeated at weekly intervals. Of the total 29 patient included. 25 completed the trial. The patients showed significant improvement on both BPRS and PANSS, although the improvement was more in initial weeks than between 9 and 16 weeks. The most common side effects observed were sedation, hypersalivation and tachycardia. Issues of response of clozapine on negative symptoms and a longer duration of the drug therapy are discussed.