Clonidine Treatment of Clozapine-Induced Hypersalivation.

ackground:Hypersalivation can be a troublesome side effect of clozapine, limiting its usefulness in the management of some cases of schizophrenia. But the pharmacodynamic basis of clozapine-induced hypersalivationremains obscure. Object:The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of the α2- adrenergic agonist clonidineon clozapine-induced hypersalivationin the patients who were receiving clozapine. Method:Twenty one schizophrenic inpatients on clozapineparticipated in the study. The amount of saliva was measured on the 7th day at 8pm after starting clozapinetreatment. Of them, 15 patients who had experienced hypersalivationwas treated with 0.1mg/day of clonidine. Result:Of 21 schizophrenic patients treated with clozapinein the psychiatric inpatient clinic, 15(71.4%) complained hypervalivation. After clonidinetreatment, mean salivary flow-rate was decreased significantly in these patients. Conclusion:Clozapine-induced hypersalivationcould be decreased by administration of α2- adrenergic agonist clonidineand compliance could be improved. Also our study supports the notion that increased adrenergictone contributes to clozapine-induced hypersalivation.