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Clozapine response

MedGen UID:
450443
Concept ID:
CN077971
Sign or Symptom
Synonyms: Clozaril response; FazaClo response; Versacloz response
Drug:
Clozapine
MedGen UID:
3128
Concept ID:
C0009079
Pharmacologic Substance
A synthetic dibenzo-diazepine derivative, atypical antipsychotic Clozapine blocks several neurotransmitter receptors in the brain (dopamine type 4, serotonin type 2, norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and histamine receptors). Unlike traditional antipsychotic agents, it weakly blocks dopamine type 2 receptors. It relieves schizophrenic symptoms (hallucinations, delusions, dementia). (NCI04) [from NCI]
 
Genes (locations): CYP1A2 (15q24.1); CYP2C19 (10q23.33); CYP2D6 (22q13.2); CYP3A4 (7q22.1)

Definition

Clozapine is one of the most effective antipsychotics available in the treatment of schizophrenia and the only antipsychotic found to be effective in treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). Clozapine is also used to reduce the risk of recurrent suicidal behavior in individuals with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. Compared with typical antipsychotics, clozapine is far less likely to cause movement disorders, known as extrapyramidal side effects, which include dystonia, akathisia, parkinsonism, and tardive dyskinesia. However, there are significant risks associated with clozapine therapy that limits its use to only the most severely ill individuals who have not responded adequately to standard drug therapy. Most notably, because of the risk of clozapine-induced agranulocytosis, clozapine treatment requires monitoring of white blood cell counts (WBC) and absolute neutrophil counts (ANC), and in the US, the FDA requires that individuals receiving clozapine be enrolled in a computer-based registry. There is also a propensity for clozapine use to induce metabolic effects, resulting in substantial weight gain. Clozapine is metabolized in the liver by the cytochrome P450 (CYP450) superfamily of enzymes. The CYP1A2 enzyme is the main CYP enzyme involved in clozapine metabolism, and CYP1A2 activity is a potential determinant of clozapine dose requirements. Other CYP enzymes involved in clozapine metabolism include CYP2D6, CYP3A4, and CYP2C19. The FDA-approved drug label states that a subset of the population (2–10%) have reduced activity of CYP2D6 (“poor metabolizers”[PMs]) and these individuals may develop higher than expected plasma concentrations of clozapine with typical standard doses. Therefore, the FDA states that a dose reduction may be necessary in individuals who are CYP2D6 PMs. However, the Dutch Pharmacogenetics Working Group (DPWG) does not recommend dose alterations based on CYP2D6 genotype, though the gene-drug interaction is acknowledged. The DPWG further states that there is not a gene-drug interaction between CYP1A2 and clozapine due to the limited effect of known genetic variants on CYP1A2 function. Consequently, neither the FDA nor the DPWG recommend dose alterations based on CYP1A2 genotype. Additionally, clozapine clearance is affected by gender, tobacco use, and ethnicity, with further contributions from pharmacologic interactions. Females have lower CYP1A2 enzyme activity than males. Non-smokers have lower CYP1A2 activity than smokers and Asians and Amerindians have lower activity than Caucasians. Clozapine clearance can also be affected by co-medications that induce or inhibit CYP1A2 and the presence of inflammation or obesity. [from Medical Genetics Summaries]

Professional guidelines

PubMed

Correll CU, Howes OD
J Clin Psychiatry 2021 Sep 7;82(5) doi: 10.4088/JCP.MY20096AH1C. PMID: 34496461
Nucifora FC Jr, Woznica E, Lee BJ, Cascella N, Sawa A
Neurobiol Dis 2019 Nov;131:104257. Epub 2018 Aug 29 doi: 10.1016/j.nbd.2018.08.016. PMID: 30170114Free PMC Article
Connolly BS, Lang AE
JAMA 2014 Apr 23-30;311(16):1670-83. doi: 10.1001/jama.2014.3654. PMID: 24756517

Recent clinical studies

Etiology

Vasileva SS, Yang Y, Baker A, Siskind D, Gratten J, Eyles D
JAMA Psychiatry 2024 Mar 1;81(3):292-302. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.5371. PMID: 38294805Free PMC Article
Karacetin G, Ermis C, Bulanik Koc E, Saglam Y
J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2021 Sep;31(7):504-510. Epub 2021 Jul 20 doi: 10.1089/cap.2021.0009. PMID: 34283936
Blackman G, Lisshammar JEL, Zafar R, Pollak TA, Pritchard M, Cullen AE, Rogers J, Carter B, Griffiths K, Nour M, David AS, McGuire P, Stewart R, MacCabe J
J Clin Psychopharmacol 2021 Jan/Feb 01;41(1):19-24. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0000000000001329. PMID: 33347018Free PMC Article
Shah P, Iwata Y, Brown EE, Kim J, Sanches M, Takeuchi H, Nakajima S, Hahn M, Remington G, Gerretsen P, Graff-Guerrero A
Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2020 Feb;270(1):11-22. Epub 2019 Aug 19 doi: 10.1007/s00406-019-01053-6. PMID: 31428862
Gardos G
Neuropsychopharmacol Hung 2005 Jun;7(2):72-7. PMID: 16167458

Diagnosis

Vasileva SS, Yang Y, Baker A, Siskind D, Gratten J, Eyles D
JAMA Psychiatry 2024 Mar 1;81(3):292-302. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.5371. PMID: 38294805Free PMC Article
Fonseca de Freitas D, Kadra-Scalzo G, Agbedjro D, Francis E, Ridler I, Pritchard M, Shetty H, Segev A, Casetta C, Smart SE, Downs J, Christensen SR, Bak N, Kinon BJ, Stahl D, MacCabe JH, Hayes RD
J Psychopharmacol 2022 Apr;36(4):498-506. Epub 2022 Feb 25 doi: 10.1177/02698811221078746. PMID: 35212240Free PMC Article
Iruretagoyena B, Castañeda CP, Mena C, Diaz C, Nachar R, Ramirez-Mahaluf JP, González-Valderrama A, Undurraga J, Maccabe JH, Crossley NA
Schizophr Res 2021 Sep;235:102-108. Epub 2021 Jul 30 doi: 10.1016/j.schres.2021.07.024. PMID: 34340062
Karacetin G, Ermis C, Bulanik Koc E, Saglam Y
J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2021 Sep;31(7):504-510. Epub 2021 Jul 20 doi: 10.1089/cap.2021.0009. PMID: 34283936
Gressier F, Porcelli S, Calati R, Serretti A
Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2016 Feb;26(2):163-185. Epub 2015 Dec 29 doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.12.035. PMID: 26792444

Therapy

Vasileva SS, Yang Y, Baker A, Siskind D, Gratten J, Eyles D
JAMA Psychiatry 2024 Mar 1;81(3):292-302. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.5371. PMID: 38294805Free PMC Article
Millgate E, Hide O, Lawrie SM, Murray RM, MacCabe JH, Kravariti E
Psychol Med 2022 Jan;52(1):1-13. Epub 2021 Nov 1 doi: 10.1017/S0033291721004128. PMID: 36415088Free PMC Article
van der Horst MZ, Papadimitriou G, Luykx JJ
Psychiatr Genet 2022 Oct 1;32(5):163-170. Epub 2022 Jul 20 doi: 10.1097/YPG.0000000000000320. PMID: 35855515
Blackman G, Lisshammar JEL, Zafar R, Pollak TA, Pritchard M, Cullen AE, Rogers J, Carter B, Griffiths K, Nour M, David AS, McGuire P, Stewart R, MacCabe J
J Clin Psychopharmacol 2021 Jan/Feb 01;41(1):19-24. doi: 10.1097/JCP.0000000000001329. PMID: 33347018Free PMC Article
Gressier F, Porcelli S, Calati R, Serretti A
Eur Neuropsychopharmacol 2016 Feb;26(2):163-185. Epub 2015 Dec 29 doi: 10.1016/j.euroneuro.2015.12.035. PMID: 26792444

Prognosis

Karacetin G, Ermis C, Bulanik Koc E, Saglam Y
J Child Adolesc Psychopharmacol 2021 Sep;31(7):504-510. Epub 2021 Jul 20 doi: 10.1089/cap.2021.0009. PMID: 34283936
Shah P, Iwata Y, Brown EE, Kim J, Sanches M, Takeuchi H, Nakajima S, Hahn M, Remington G, Gerretsen P, Graff-Guerrero A
Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci 2020 Feb;270(1):11-22. Epub 2019 Aug 19 doi: 10.1007/s00406-019-01053-6. PMID: 31428862
Suzuki T, Uchida H, Watanabe K, Kashima H
Psychopharmacol Bull 2011;44(1):32-60. PMID: 22506438Free PMC Article
Remington G, Saha A, Chong SA, Shammi C
CNS Drugs 2005;19(10):843-72. doi: 10.2165/00023210-200519100-00004. PMID: 16185094
Chung C, Remington G
Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2005 May;179(2):317-35. Epub 2005 Feb 17 doi: 10.1007/s00213-005-2174-x. PMID: 15717209

Clinical prediction guides

Vasileva SS, Yang Y, Baker A, Siskind D, Gratten J, Eyles D
JAMA Psychiatry 2024 Mar 1;81(3):292-302. doi: 10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.5371. PMID: 38294805Free PMC Article
Millgate E, Hide O, Lawrie SM, Murray RM, MacCabe JH, Kravariti E
Psychol Med 2022 Jan;52(1):1-13. Epub 2021 Nov 1 doi: 10.1017/S0033291721004128. PMID: 36415088Free PMC Article
Aissa A, Jouini R, Ouali U, Zgueb Y, Nacef F, El Hechmi Z
Compr Psychiatry 2022 Jan;112:152280. Epub 2021 Oct 21 doi: 10.1016/j.comppsych.2021.152280. PMID: 34763293
Siskind D, Siskind V, Kisely S
Can J Psychiatry 2017 Nov;62(11):772-777. Epub 2017 Jun 28 doi: 10.1177/0706743717718167. PMID: 28655284Free PMC Article
Chung C, Remington G
Psychopharmacology (Berl) 2005 May;179(2):317-35. Epub 2005 Feb 17 doi: 10.1007/s00213-005-2174-x. PMID: 15717209

Recent systematic reviews

Millgate E, Hide O, Lawrie SM, Murray RM, MacCabe JH, Kravariti E
Psychol Med 2022 Jan;52(1):1-13. Epub 2021 Nov 1 doi: 10.1017/S0033291721004128. PMID: 36415088Free PMC Article
Okhuijsen-Pfeifer C, Sterk AY, Horn IM, Terstappen J, Kahn RS, Luykx JJ
Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020 Apr;111:246-252. Epub 2020 Jan 23 doi: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.01.017. PMID: 31982601
Jones R, MacCabe JH, Price MJ, Liu X, Upthegrove R
Acta Psychiatr Scand 2020 Aug;142(2):109-120. Epub 2020 Jun 13 doi: 10.1111/acps.13156. PMID: 31977065
Siskind D, Siskind V, Kisely S
Can J Psychiatry 2017 Nov;62(11):772-777. Epub 2017 Jun 28 doi: 10.1177/0706743717718167. PMID: 28655284Free PMC Article

Therapeutic recommendations

From Medical Genetics Summaries

This section contains excerpted 1 information on gene-based dosing recommendations. Neither this section nor other parts of this review contain the complete recommendations from the sources.

2020 Statement from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA)

Dosage Adjustments with Concomitant use of CYP1A2, CYP2D6, CYP3A4 Inhibitors or CYP1A2, CYP3A4 Inducers

Clozapine is a substrate for many cytochrome P450 isozymes, in particular CYP1A2, CYP3A4, and CYP2D6. Use caution when administering clozapine tablets concomitantly with drugs that are inducers or inhibitors of these enzymes.

[…]

Dose adjustments may be necessary in patients with concomitant use of:

  • strong CYP1A2 inhibitors (e.g., fluvoxamine, ciprofloxacin, or enoxacin);
  • moderate or weak CYP1A2 inhibitors (e.g., oral contraceptives, or caffeine);
  • CYP2D6 or CYP3A4 inhibitors (e.g., cimetidine, escitalopram, erythromycin, paroxetine, bupropion, fluoxetine, quinidine, duloxetine, terbinafine, or sertraline);
  • CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., phenytoin, carbamazepine, St. John’s wort, and rifampin);
  • or CYP1A2 inducers (e.g., tobacco smoking)

[…]

Concomitant use of Strong CYP1A2 Inhibitors: Reduce clozapine tablets dose to one-third when coadministered with strong CYP1A2 inhibitors (e.g., fluvoxamine, ciprofloxacin, enoxacin).

Concomitant use of Strong CYP3A4 Inducers is not recommended.

Discontinuation of CYP1A2 or CYP3A4 Inducers: Consider reducing clozapine tablets dose when CYP1A2 inducers (e.g., tobacco smoke) or CYP3A4 inducers (e.g., carbamazepine) are discontinued.

Anticholinergic drugs: Concomitant use may increase the risk for anticholinergic toxicity.

[…]

Dose reduction may be necessary in patients who are CYP2D6 poor metabolizers. Clozapine concentrations may be increased in these patients, because clozapine is almost completely metabolized and then excreted.

[…]

A subset (3%–10%) of the population has reduced activity of CYP2D6 (CYP2D6 poor metabolizers). These individuals may develop higher than expected plasma concentrations of clozapine when given usual doses.

Please review the complete therapeutic recommendations that are located here: (1).

Summary of recommendations from the Dutch Pharmacogenetics Working Group (DPWG) of the Royal Dutch Association for the Advancement of Pharmacy (KNMP) (2016, 2020)

CYP2D6 Poor, Intermediate or Ultrarapid Metabolizer-Clozapine [December 2020]

NO action is required for this gene-drug interaction.

The genetic variation results in a slightly elevated plasma concentration of clozapine, but there are no clinical consequences.

CYP1A2 [2016]

This is NOT a drug-gene interaction.

Please review the complete therapeutic recommendations that are located here: ( 6 ).

1 The FDA labels specific drug formulations. We have substituted the generic names for any drug labels in this excerpt. The FDA may not have labeled all formulations containing the generic drug. Certain terms, genes and genetic variants may be corrected in accordance with nomenclature standards, where necessary. We have given the full name of abbreviations, shown in square brackets, where necessary.

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