Acute tongue and pharyngeal cramps when changing from clozapine to amisupride. A case study

With the advent of atypical antipsychotics, quality of life for patients wi th schizophrenia has improved significantly. The positive effects are based not only on the compliance-enhancing reduction of extrapyramidal side effe cts but also due to improved cognitive function and social integration, sho rter duration,and overall reduction of hospital treatment. Numerous controlled studies have addressed the issue of switching patients from typical to atypical antipsychotics. However, published data on substit uting one atypical antipsychotic for another a re preliminary and very limi ted. This case report describes acute side effects which occurred when switching from clozapine to amisulpride and discusses mechanisms on the receptor lev el. Regarding these two agents, the clinical relevance of the knowledge of receptor profiles outlined.