A Case of Clozapine Treatment for Tardive Dystonia in Chronic Schizophrenia / 대한정신약물학회지

ABSTRACT

Tardive dystonia is an uncommon late side-effect of neuroleptic drug treatment and a difficult condition to treat. We report a single case of tardive dystonia that has successfully responded to clozapine. This patient has undergone more than thirteen years of antipsychotic treatment and developed severe and persistent tardive dystonia. Treatment with benzodiazepine, anticholinergics and muscle relaxant were ineffective in this patient. Thus, clozapine was tried. Treatment with clozapine brought about marked improvement and this remission has been sustained. We reviewed the literatures about successful treatment of tardive dystonia with clozapine. Finally, we recommend a trial of clozapine in adequate doses and for adequate duration on patients with drug-induced tardive dystonia.