Prevention of suicide by clozapine in mental disorders: systematic review. 2023

Vasilios G Masdrakis, and David S Baldwin
National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, School of Medicine, First Department of Psychiatry, Eginition Hospital, 74 Vas. Sofias Avenue, 11528 Athens, Greece.

Previous research has investigated the efficacy of clozapine in reducing suicidality in patients with schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder. We aimed to systematically review published evidence, including studies concerning clozapine administration to treat: (a) refractory suicidality in other mental disorders, including bipolar disorder and borderline and other personality disorders; and (b) refractory cases of non-suicidal self-injury. We performed a PUBMED-search (last day: July 17, 2022) of English-language studies, combining the keywords "clozapine", "suicidality", and "suicide" with various psychopathological terms (e.g. "schizophrenia"). All duplications were eliminated. Fifty-one studies were eligible for inclusion in the review. Most studies suggest a superior anti-suicide effect of clozapine in schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder, compared to other antipsychotics, or no antipsychotic therapy, which is not due to the close monitoring of patients for blood dyscrasias. No consensus exists as to whether other antipsychotic drugs share this effect. Discontinuation of clozapine is associated with increases in suicidality. Reductions in refractory suicidality/NSSI are observed in clozapine-treated patients with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder, but the evidence is limited. Potential biological underpinnings of the anti-suicide effect of clozapine include its unique profile of modulation of brain neurotransmitters; its non-selectivity for neurotransmitter receptors; specific genetic and hormonal factors; effects on neuroinflammation; and ability to elicit epileptiform activity. The superior anti-suicide effect of clozapine in schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder patients is well established. It may have a role in severe and refractory cases of suicidality and non-suicidal self-injury in patients with bipolar disorder or borderline personality disorder, but the level and quality of supporting evidence is limited.

UI MeSH Term Description Entries
D003024 Clozapine A tricylic dibenzodiazepine, classified as an atypical antipsychotic agent. It binds several types of central nervous system receptors, and displays a unique pharmacological profile. Clozapine is a serotonin antagonist, with strong binding to 5-HT 2A/2C receptor subtype. It also displays strong affinity to several dopaminergic receptors, but shows only weak antagonism at the dopamine D2 receptor, a receptor commonly thought to modulate neuroleptic activity. Agranulocytosis is a major adverse effect associated with administration of this agent. Clozaril,Leponex
D006801 Humans Members of the species Homo sapiens. Homo sapiens,Man (Taxonomy),Human,Man, Modern,Modern Man
D001523 Mental Disorders Psychiatric illness or diseases manifested by breakdowns in the adaptational process expressed primarily as abnormalities of thought, feeling, and behavior producing either distress or impairment of function. Mental Illness,Psychiatric Diseases,Psychiatric Disorders,Psychiatric Illness,Behavior Disorders,Diagnosis, Psychiatric,Mental Disorders, Severe,Psychiatric Diagnosis,Illness, Mental,Mental Disorder,Mental Disorder, Severe,Mental Illnesses,Psychiatric Disease,Psychiatric Disorder,Psychiatric Illnesses,Severe Mental Disorder,Severe Mental Disorders
D012559 Schizophrenia A severe emotional disorder of psychotic depth characteristically marked by a retreat from reality with delusion formation, HALLUCINATIONS, emotional disharmony, and regressive behavior. Dementia Praecox,Schizophrenic Disorders,Disorder, Schizophrenic,Disorders, Schizophrenic,Schizophrenias,Schizophrenic Disorder
D013405 Suicide The act of killing oneself. Suicides
D014150 Antipsychotic Agents Agents that control agitated psychotic behavior, alleviate acute psychotic states, reduce psychotic symptoms, and exert a quieting effect. They are used in SCHIZOPHRENIA; senile dementia; transient psychosis following surgery; or MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION; etc. These drugs are often referred to as neuroleptics alluding to the tendency to produce neurological side effects, but not all antipsychotics are likely to produce such effects. Many of these drugs may also be effective against nausea, emesis, and pruritus. Antipsychotic,Antipsychotic Agent,Antipsychotic Drug,Antipsychotic Medication,Major Tranquilizer,Neuroleptic,Neuroleptic Agent,Neuroleptic Drug,Neuroleptics,Tranquilizing Agents, Major,Antipsychotic Drugs,Antipsychotic Effect,Antipsychotic Effects,Antipsychotics,Major Tranquilizers,Neuroleptic Agents,Neuroleptic Drugs,Tranquillizing Agents, Major,Agent, Antipsychotic,Agent, Neuroleptic,Drug, Antipsychotic,Drug, Neuroleptic,Effect, Antipsychotic,Major Tranquilizing Agents,Major Tranquillizing Agents,Medication, Antipsychotic,Tranquilizer, Major

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