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No. 3 (2025)

GENERAL THERAPY QUESTIONS AND REVIEWS

Use of Clozapine and Cariprazine Combination in the Treatment of Patients with Schizophrenia (Literature Review)

https://doi.org/10.48612/psyph/t6rp-v3zd-hvp5

Published 2025-09-30

  • E.Yu. Abritalin
    • ,
  • D.A. Borisov

E.Yu. Abritalin
Almazov National Medical Research Center

D.A. Borisov
Almazov National Medical Research Center

Abstract

Relevance. Clozapine is currently considered as one of the main drugs for the treatment of treatment-resistant schizophrenia; however, despite its efficacy, some patients remain resistant to therapy. In addition, the use of clozapine is limited by side effects and insufficient effectiveness against negative symptoms. In this regard, combining clozapine with third-generation antipsychotics, in particular cariprazine, is a subject of considerable clinical interest.

Objective — to analyze clinical cases of using a combination of clozapine and cariprazine in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Methods. A search for full-text articles published from 2020 to 2024 was conducted in the PubMed and eLIBRARY.RU databases.

Results. Clinical observations of the use of clozapine and cariprazine combination therapy are presented, and the rationale for considering this regimen a more promising alternative to clozapine monotherapy for certain patient profiles is analyzed.

Conclusion. Increasing evidence supports the effective clinical use of cariprazine–clozapine combination therapy, especially in patients with predominant negative symptoms and/or pronounced dose-dependent side effects of clozapine. However, this drug regimen requires further investigation.

Keywords

clozapine, cariprazine, augmentation, negative symptoms, treatment-resistant schizophrenia

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