Safety and efficacy of long-term low-dose clozapine aftercare treatment in a patient with learning difficulties who suffered from neuroleptic malignant syndrome

INTRODUCTION : Antipsychotic medication continues to be an essential component in the treatment of schizophrenia. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is one of the most serious complications of neuroleptic treatment and the optimal therapeutic aftercare regimen for patients is unclear. Also, it is not clear if low-dose neuroleptic maintenance in such patients is safe and efficient enough over time. METHOD : We present a case of a 56-year-old woman suffering from schizoaffective disorder, who was successfully treated with a low dosage of clozapine for 6.5 years following a NMS episode. RESULT : To the best of our knowledge this is the first report of such a long-term beneficial use of low-dose clozapine in a patient who previously underwent such a serious complication. CONCLUSION : Large-scale studies are needed to substantiate this observation. (Int J Psych Clin Pract 2002; 6: 121-123)