Clozapine - Assessment by relatives

Aim: Evaluations of clozapine treatment by relatives of schizophrenic patie nts were assessed as part of an exploratory study and compared with the pat ients' own assessment. Method: 46 relatives of individuals suffering from s chizophrenia were questioned by means of a problem-centred interview. Resul ts: In addition to the positive effects on the schizophrenic illness, relat ives strikingly often pointed out the calming, sleep-improving effect of cl ozapine. As opposed to the patients, the majority of relatives were well aw are of the risks associated with discontinuing the drug treatment. Both pat ients and relatives complained about the sedative effect and the increased need for sleep associated with clozapine treatment. However, diverging eval uations were given with regard to hypersalivation, anticholinergic effects, and weight gain. Relatives were more concerned about possible organ damage occurring as a long-term effect than the patients. Further, indications we re found that relatives were more worried by the risk of haematotoxic effec ts resulting from clozapine treatment than the patients. It could be said t hat, among the relatives, there was a slightly greater awareness of the adv antages of clozapine treatment in comparison with conventional neuroleptics than there was with the patients. Conclusion: The importance of relatives' views in the effort to secure adequate neuroleptic treatment despite the c urrent economic restrictions should not be under-estimated.