Clozapine in the treatment of a young adolescent with schizophrenia.

Although recent reports have suggested that clozapine may be efficacious in the treatment of adolescents with schizophrenia, few studies have examined the use of clozapine in patients younger than 17 years of age. We describe highly successful trials of clozapine conducted in a 13-year-old girl and her cousin, both of whom developed severe symptoms of schizophrenia, which were refractory to neuroleptic medication, at the ages of 11 and 13 years, respectively. The pharmacology of and clinical experience with clozapine are reviewed.