Effect of Clozapine on Polypharmacy

Prescribing patterns for a group of outpatients with schizophrenia were surveyed for changes after the initiation of clozapine. Data were drawn from computerized pharmacy records, direct case record reviews, and interviews with the attending psychiatrists. The number of patients with two or more psychotropic drugs decreased by 31 percent after the initiation of clozapine, and a trend toward the use of clozapine without additional neuroleptics was detected. Decreases occurred in the use of anticholinergic agents, carbamazepine, and benzodiazepines, but selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors and sodium valproate were more likely to be prescribed concomitantly with clozapine.