The effect of glycopyrrolate on nocturnal sialorrhea in patients using clozapine

Authors Wai Hong Man, Jantine Colen–de Koning, Peter F.J Schulte, Wiepke Cahn, Ingrid van Haelst, Hieronymus J. Doodeman, T.C.G. Egberts, Rob Heerdink, Ingeborg Wilting
Published in Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
Publication date 2017
Research groups Innovation in Healthcare Processes in Pharmacology
Type Article

Summary

From the website of the publisher: "Background Nocturnal sialorrhea is one of the most frequent adverse events in clozapine treatment. Symptomatic management of sialorrhea usually consists of off-label treatment with anticholinergic agents. The aim of the current study is to evaluate the efficacy and safety of glycopyrrolate in patients using clozapine that experience sialorrhea. Methods In a double-blind randomized crossover trial, patients with nocturnal sialorrhea (n = 32) were randomized to treatment with glycopyrrolate 1 mg or placebo. This double-blinded phase was followed by an optional open label extension phase with glycopyrrolate 2 mg. Exposure periods consisted of 6 consecutive days and were separated with 1 washout week. The primary outcome was clinical improvement of nocturnal sialorrhea assessed by the Patient Global Impression of Improvement (PGI-I). Results The proportion of patients with a clinical improvement according to PGI-I did not significantly differ between 1 mg and placebo (18.8% vs 6.3%, P = 0.289); however, in patients using glycopyrrolate 2 mg once daily versus placebo, it did (43.5% vs 6.3%, P = 0.039). Glycopyrrolate was not associated with severe adverse events or worsening of cognitive adverse events. Conclusions Glycopyrrolate 1 mg was not superior to placebo, whereas 2 mg showed a significant clinical improvement of nocturnal sialorrhea compared with placebo. Glycopyrrolate seemed to be a tolerable anticholinergic agent in the treatment of clozapine-associated sialorrhea"

On this publication contributed

  • Rob Heerdink | Professor | Research group Innovation in Healthcare Processes in Pharmacology
    Rob Heerdink
    • Professor
    • Research group: Innovation in Healthcare Processes in Pharmacology

Language English
Published in Journal of Clinical Psychopharmacology
Key words safety of glycopyrrolate

Innovation in Healthcare Processes in Pharmacology