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Clozapine IM and Aggression in Schizophrenic Patients

NCT00189995 · Status: WITHDRAWN · Phase: PHASE3 · Type: INTERVENTIONAL

Last updated 2013-07-24

No results posted yet for this study

Summary

Aggressive, persistent aggression and impulsive behavior are frequently observed in schizophrenic patients. According to some researchers "more than 50% of all psychiatric patients and 10% of schizophrenic patients show aggressive symptoms varying from threatening behavior and agitation to assault"(1). It is a common cause of psychiatric admission and is a therapeutic issue. The treatment of these symptoms is a clinical problem for both patients and staff. Violent behavior, a major detrimental factor in stigmatization of the mentally ill, also poses physical danger for the patients themselves. Current pharmacotherapy of pathologic aggression involves the use of multiple agents (typical and atypical antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, mood stabilizers, beta-blockers, antiandrogenic hormones, and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) on empiric basis, with varying degrees of response (2-6). Unfortunately, these approaches lead to numerous side effects. Poor or noncompliance with pharmacotherapy makes it difficult to choose the appropriate preparation. Currently, typical neuroleptics are still the first choice in treating acute aggressive symptoms, while risperidone and olanzapine could be alternatives (5-7). Typical depot neuroleptics should be considered in cases where medication compliance is a problem. Most clinical information on treating of aggression has been collected about atypical neuroleptics, particularly regarding clozapine.

Clozapine is indicated in psychotic state and/or in drug-resistant schizophrenic patients. According to the FDA - it is the drug of choice in suicidal and aggressive patients, due-to psychotic state. It was found helpful in nearly 30% of resistant schizophrenic patients. Concerning the parenteral administration of clozapine - very little data is available today.

This study aims to investigate efficacy and safety (psychopathology, and side effects) of parenteral clozapine in treatment of aggressive behavior in schizophrenic patients in a double-blind trial.

Conditions

Interventions

DRUG

clozapine

DRUG

haloperidol

Sponsors & Collaborators

  • Beersheva Mental Health Center

    lead OTHER_GOV

Principal Investigators

  • Valdimir Lerner, MD, PhD · Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

  • Baruch Spivak, MD · Tel Aviv University

  • Chanoch Midownik, MD · Ben-Gurion University of the Negev

Study Design

Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
DOUBLE
Model
PARALLEL

Eligibility

Min Age
18 Years
Max Age
65 Years
Sex
ALL
Healthy Volunteers
No

Timeline & Regulatory

Countries

  • Israel

Study Locations

More Related Trials

Entities

Drugs
Diseases

Read the full study record

This page highlights key information. For complete eligibility criteria, study locations, investigator contacts, and the full protocol, visit the original record on ClinicalTrials.gov.

View NCT00189995 on ClinicalTrials.gov