EMERGENCE OF OBSESSIVE-COMPULSIVE SYMPTOMS AND TICS DURING CLOZAPINE WITHDRAWAL

Treatment with clozapine may be associated with the appearance of obse ssive-compulsive (OC) symptoms in up to 10% of schizophrenic patients. We present the first report of the emergence of de novo OC symptoms d uring clozapine withdrawal in two schizophrenic patients, associated i n one with Tourette's syndrome-like ties. Resumption of clozapine led to the complete disappearance of the OC symptoms and a substantial all eviation of the ties. It is suggested that an imbalance between the do pamine and serotonin systems may account for this complication.