Clinical Findings Showing that Non-Convulsive Electric Shock Administration for Patients Receiving Clozapine Therapy for Schizophrenia May Contribute to Stability of Granulocyte Number, the Most Critical Drug Side-Effect

Kotaro Sugita, Yasuhiro Mori,

Abstract

Two treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients were administered clozapine, but showed a decrease in granulocytes. As an alternative treatment, we administered non-convulsive Electric Shock Therapy (ECT) (modified- ECT: m-ECT) to both and the number of granulocytes increased to a level considered safe for clozapine ingestion. Then, under continuation of m-ECT, we gradually increased the dose of the drug. After 10-14 m-ECT sessions in both patients, the number of granulocytes became stable at approximately 5000/mm3 and m-ECT was completed. Our findings show the possibility of treatment for therapy-resistant patients who are unable to receive clozapine because of reduced granulocyte number.