Myoclonic seizures and “leg folding” phenomena with clozapine therapy: Report of two cases

Abstract

Clozapine is an antipsychotic drug recently introduced into the United States for the treatment of refractory schizophrenia. Side effects of major clinical importance include agranulocytosis, seizures, orthostasis, sedation, and hypersalivation (Lieberman et al 1989; Safferman et al 1991). We present here two cases of paroxysmal myoclonus and 'leg folding phenomena with ciozapine that ceased after reduction of the dose. In one case, illustrative samples of EEG recordings during the myoclonic seizure are also presented. The possible nature of the motor phenomena is briefly discussed.