Nor)Clozapine Kinetics and Side Effects in Therapy Resistant Schizophrenia and the Optimal Sampling Time for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring

The goal of this observational study is to better understand how clozapine treatment can be tailored as regards minimizing side effects and optimizing efficacy and monitoring. Firstly, how clozapine is broken down into norclozapine in the liver and how both clozapine and norclozapine affect side effects are examined. In order to investigate this metabolization process in the liver inflammation levels in the blood are assessed, which inhibit the conversion of clozapine into norclozapine. In addition, various factors related to physical health are assessed, such as blood sugar, cholesterol, weight, waist circumference, blood pressure and heart rate. The role of hormones is investigated, such as cortisol, a stress hormone that affects metabolism and stress levels. Amino acids are examined, which are building blocks of proteins, and specific parts of DNA that influence clozapine metabolism. In addition, investigation follows whether 12 hours after ingestion is a well-chosen time at which the amount of clozapine is measured in the blood in case of ingestion once a day and twice a day. Finally, specific side effects of clozapine are assessed - with special attention to stool - and the severity of the psychiatric symptoms in patients with therapy resistant schizophrenia spectrum disorders.