Analysis of Clozapine Use and Safety by Using Comprehensive National Data From the Japanese Clozapine Patient Monitoring Service.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate clozapine use and its associated adverse effects in patients in Japan.

METHODS

We analyzed data recorded from July 2009 to January 2016 (N = 3780 patients) in the Clozaril Patient Monitoring Service, which was established in Japan in 2009 and includes all Japanese patients who have been prescribed clozapine.

RESULTS

The treatment discontinuation rate was 23.9% (869/3780 cases). The average ± SD treatment duration was 234.9 ± 306.9 days (median, 115 days), and the average ± SD dosage was 186.41 ± 151.6 mg/d. The estimated treatment continuation rates resulting from all-cause discontinuation were 78.2 after 1 year and 72.9% after 2 years of treatment. The incidence of neutropenia/leucopenia was 5.4% (206/3780 cases). The average ± SD dose before discontinuation was 233.36 ± 168.15 mg (median, 200 mg; range, 4-600 mg). The incidence of glucose intolerance was 15.4% (583/3780 cases). Of 3780 patients, 98 (2.67%) developed glucose intolerance before and after taking clozapine administration, whereas 485 patients (12.8%) developed glucose intolerance after taking clozapine. The average ± SD time from treatment initiation to new onset of glucose intolerance was 382.2 ± 420.2 days (median, 216 days; range, 4-2053 days).

CONCLUSIONS

The data obtained in this study, particularly regarding the incidence of clozapine-induced adverse events, will enable the optimal and safe use of clozapine in Japanese patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia.