Lower sertraline plasma concentration in patients co-medicated with
clozapine -- Implications for pharmacological augmentation strategies in
schizophrenia
Abstract
Aim: Augmentation of antipsychotic treatment with antidepressants
represents a common and beneficial treatment strategy in patients
suffering from schizophrenia. Combining clozapine and the selective
serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) sertraline represents a clinically
important strategy, but there is limited knowledge about mutual
pharmacokinetic interactions. In the present study, we assessed the
impact of clozapine on sertraline plasma concentrations. Methods: Based
on a therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) database, sertraline plasma
concentrations were compared between two groups: patients receiving a
combined treatment with sertraline and clozapine (SERTCLZ; N=15) and a
matched control group receiving sertraline but no clozapine (SERT;
N=17). Group differences with respect to raw and dose-adjusted plasma
concentrations were assessed using non-parametric tests. Results: No
significant differences were found between the groups regarding daily
dosage of sertraline, age, weight, sex distribution, and caffeine or
nicotine consumption (all p-values >0.05). Co-medication
with clozapine was associated with 67% lower median sertraline plasma
concentrations (16 vs. 48 ng/mL; p=0.022) and 28% lower median
dose-adjusted plasma concentrations (C/D; 0.21 vs. 0.29 (ng/mL) /
(mg/day); p=0.049) as compared to the control group. Conclusion: When
applying a combined treatment with clozapine and sertraline, clinicians
should consider therapeutic drug monitoring to confirm therapeutically
effective plasma concentrations of sertraline.