SALIVARY FLOW-RATE AND COMPOSITION IN SCHIZOPHRENIC-PATIENTS ON CLOZAPINE, SUBJECTIVE REPORTS AND LABORATORY DATA

The extent of hypersalivation was evaluated in a group of 25 schizophr enic patients on clopazine. A high prevalence of the complaint was det ected by a questionnaire; up to 80% of the patients complained of hype rsalivation at night. Salivary flow-rate and composition was examined in 17 patients who agreed to participate and in a marched group of hea lthy controls. No significant differences were detected in composition or flow-rates of resting and stimulated saliva. The salivary flow-rat es in the schizophrenic patients on clopazine did nor correlate with t he subjective complaint of hypersalivation. Because the severity and p revalence of the complaint was higher at night, a possibility of an al tered circadian rhythm of salivation might be suggested in these patie nts.