Ruth Murphy1, Anne Gallagher2, Kapil Sharma3, Tariq Ali4, Elizabeth Lewis5, Ivan Murray3, Brian Hallahan2. 1. Department of Psychiatry, National University of Ireland Galway, Newcastle Road, Galway, Ireland. 2. Department of Psychiatry, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland. 3. Department of Psychiatry, University Hospital Galway, Galway, Ireland. 4. Department of Psychiatry, Letterkenny General Hospital, Letterkenny, Ireland. 5. Department of Psychiatry, Sligo General Hospital, Sligo, Ireland.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Clozapine is the most effective treatment available for treatment-resistant schizophrenia; however, it is also associated with a large array of adverse effects that limits its tolerability. A number of previous case reports have noted an association between clozapine and stuttering, however the rate of this possible adverse effect is yet to be established. METHODS: In this paper, we present six cases of patients treated with clozapine who developed stuttering. RESULTS: Clozapine was associated with stuttering in 0.92% of individuals treated with clozapine in the region. Clozapine-induced stuttering was associated with an increase in treatment dose or with dose titration at initiation of clozapine in five individuals, with dose reduction or slower dose titration associated with a cessation of stuttering in these cases. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest case series to date examining clozapine-induced stuttering and indicates that clozapine-induced stuttering is a relatively common adverse effect that can be managed by a slower titration of clozapine dosage or a modest reduction in dose in most cases.
OBJECTIVES:Clozapine is the most effective treatment available for treatment-resistant schizophrenia; however, it is also associated with a large array of adverse effects that limits its tolerability. A number of previous case reports have noted an association between clozapine and stuttering, however the rate of this possible adverse effect is yet to be established. METHODS: In this paper, we present six cases of patients treated with clozapine who developed stuttering. RESULTS:Clozapine was associated with stuttering in 0.92% of individuals treated with clozapine in the region. Clozapine-induced stuttering was associated with an increase in treatment dose or with dose titration at initiation of clozapine in five individuals, with dose reduction or slower dose titration associated with a cessation of stuttering in these cases. CONCLUSIONS: This is the largest case series to date examining clozapine-induced stuttering and indicates that clozapine-induced stuttering is a relatively common adverse effect that can be managed by a slower titration of clozapine dosage or a modest reduction in dose in most cases.