Clozapine IM and Aggression in Schizophrenic Patients

Official Title: “Intramuscular Clozapine in the Management of Aggression in Schizophrenic Patients”

Aggressive, persistent aggression and impulsive behavior are frequently observed in schizophrenic patients. According to some researchers "more than 50% of all psychiatric patients and 10% of schizophrenic patients show aggressive symptoms varying from threatening behavior and agitation to assault"(1). It is a common cause of psychiatric admission and is a therapeutic issue. The treatment of these symptoms is a clinical problem for both patients and staff. Violent behavior, a major detrimental factor in stigmatization of the mentally ill, also poses physical danger for the patients themselves. Current pharmacotherapy of pathologic aggression involves the use of multiple agents (typical and atypical antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, mood stabilizers, beta-blockers, antiandrogenic hormones, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) on empiric basis, with varying degrees of response (2-6). Unfortunately, these approaches lead to numerous side effects. Poor or noncompliance with pharmacotherapy makes it difficult to choose the appropriate preparation.

Currently, typical neuroleptics are still the first choice in treating acute aggressive symptoms, while risperidone and olanzapine could be alternatives (5-7). Typical depot neuroleptics should be considered in cases where medication compliance is a problem. Most clinical information on treating of aggression has been collected about atypical neuroleptics, particularly regarding clozapine.

Clozapine is indicated in psychotic state and/or in drug-resistant schizophrenic patients.

According to the FDA - it is the drug of choice in suicidal and aggressive patients, due-to psychotic state. It was found helpful in nearly 30% of resistant schizophrenic patients.

Concerning the parenteral administration of clozapine - very little data is available today.

This study aims to investigate efficacy and safety (psychopathology, and side effects) of parenteral clozapine in treatment of aggressive behavior in schizophrenic patients in a double-blind trial.

Intervention(s) in this Clinical Trial

• Drug: clozapine
• Drug: haloperidol

Primary Measures

• Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale
• Overt Aggression Scale

Inclusion Criteria:

• schizophrenic, schizoaffective, or schizophreniform according to DSM-IV
• treatment-resistant
• presenting pathologic violent-aggressive behavior on admission
• at risk for self damage
• age: 18-65
• patient is not participating in any other study at time of this study
• minimal score of 70 on PANSS
• prior resistance to at least 2 different classes of neuroleptics
• OAS scores of at least 4 points in physical aggression sections and at least 2 points in verbal aggression section

Exclusion Criteria:

• neutropenia or any other abnormal CBC result
• myeloproliferative disease
• chronic physical diseases such as liver, renal or cardiac diseases
• history of alcohol or drug abuse
• history of drug induced granulocytopenia/agranulocytosis
• alcoholic/drug psychosis or intoxication
• carbamazepine or other bone marrow suppressor treatment
• uncontrolled epilepsy
• paralytic ileus
• hypersensitivity to clozapine

Gender Eligibility for this Clinical Trial: Both

Minimum Age for this Clinical Trial: 18 Years

Maximum Age for this Clinical Trial: 65 Years

Are Healthy Volunteers Accepted for this Clinical Trial?: No

Lead Investigator: Beersheva Mental Health Center Other

Overall Clinical Trial Officials and Contacts

Valdimir Lerner, MD, PhD Principal Investigator Ben-Gurion University of the Negev  

Overall Contact: Vladimir Lerner, MD, PhD 9728-6401-408 lernervld@yahoo.com

Information obtained from ClinicalTrials.gov on February 12, 2012

Link to the current ClinicalTrials.gov record. http://clinicaltrials.gov/show/NCT00189995

Study ID Number: BMHC-4000

ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00189995

Health Authority: Israel: Israeli Health Ministry Pharmaceutical Administration