What are patients' experiences of discontinuing clozapine and how does this impact their views on subsequent treatment?

ABSTRACT:

Background

Discontinuing what is considered the most effective treatment for treatment-resistant schizophrenia may precipitate feelings of failure or a relapse of illness. Clozapine treatment is discontinued for a variety of reasons, including non-adherence, intolerance, or lack of efficacy. Patients' experiences of discontinuing the "best" treatment and the impact on perceptions of subsequent antipsychotic treatment are important in developing an understanding of the factors affecting people's treatment choices. This study is the first of its type, seeking to explore people's perspectives on clozapine discontinuation.

Method

Semi-structured interviews with sixteen patients who had received clozapine and discontinued treatment-thirteen males and three females, age range: thi

SUBMITTER: Southern J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10204301 | biostudies-literature | 2023 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature