USE OF CLOZAPINE TO TREAT LEVODOPA-INDUCED PSYCHOSIS IN PARKINSONS-DISEASE - RETROSPECTIVE REVIEW

Levodopa-induced psychosis can complicate the treatment of Parkinson's disease (PD). In this retrospective, uncontrolled report, we describe our experience treating PD-related psychosis with clozapine, emphasiz ing those patients treated for longer than 1 year. Twenty-seven patien ts were treated, 14 for longer than 1 year. Most patients showed a rap id improvement from baseline within 1 month using the Clinical Global Impression and Global Psychosis Rating Scores. Five patients discontin ued the drug due to side effects, but only two patients reported side effects after 6 months of treatment. Clozapine appears to be effective in treating PD related psychotic symptoms while not interfering with motor function.