Clozapine in the Elderly and Those with Medical Comorbidity, and Care Transitions
Resource Availability
This course material was originally created by SMI Adviser, now rebranded as SMI CalAdviser. The content in this course material is still current and relevant, yet, please be aware that some external resources and links may no longer be active or available. 
Overview

Description 

Older patients and those with medical comorbidities can be safely started on clozapine. This course provides detailed practical information about initiating clozapine in older patients and those with concurrent medical issues with a goal of managing pharmacodynamic and pharmacokinetic drug-drug interactions. It also discusses when rechallenge is feasible, and how to maximize the likelihood of clozapine continuation during care transitions. 

Format 

Recorded webinar, non-interactive, self-paced distance learning activity with post-test.  

This presentation was recorded on June 1, 2020. 

Learning Objectives  

Explain that elderly patients with treatment schizophrenia can be safely started on clozapine. 

Treat those with higher risk for adverse events (older patients and those with medical comorbidities) with clozapine employing the following common principles: adjustment of titrations; minimizing kinetic drug interactions; and minimizing pharmacodynamic drug interactions, especially those related to risk for sedation, orthostasis and constipation. 

Use clozapine safely in those with cardiometabolic and seizure disorders. 

Identify when to rechallenge and the risks involved. 

Develop methods for communicating and managing unique clozapine related treatment issues to increase acceptance, and as patients transition across settings. 

Outline 

  • Introduction & Learning Objectives 
  • Clozapine Use in the Elderly 
  • Managing Drug Interactions & Comorbidity 
  • Rechallenging High-Risk Patients 
  • Improving Acceptance & Managing Care Transitions  
  • Conclusions 

Target Audience 

Psychiatrist, Physician (Non-Psychiatric) 

Instruction Level 

Intermediate  

Estimated Time to Complete  

Estimated Duration: 1.0 hour 
Program Start Date: July 30, 2025 
Program End Date: July 30, 2028 

Ongoing Interdisciplinary Discussion Board  

After completing the course, engage with colleagues in the mental health field through the Webinar Roundtable Topics discussion board. This is an easy way to network and share ideas with other clinicians who participate in this webinar. Access through the discussion tab.  

How to Earn Credit 

After completing the evaluation, participants will have the opportunity to claim their hours of participation and download the appropriate certificate. Physicians may obtain an official CME certificate, other healthcare professionals may receive a CE certificate (as applicable), and all other attendees may generate a certificate of participation. Each certificate will reflect the event date and total hours earned. 

Continuing Education Credit 

In support of improving patient care, American Psychiatric Association (APA) is jointly accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME), the Accreditation Council for Pharmacy Education (ACPE), and the American Nurses Credentialing Center (ANCC), to provide continuing education for the healthcare team.  

Physicians   

The APA designates this live event for a maximum of 1.00 AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Faculty and Planner Disclosures 

The American Psychiatric Association adheres to the ACCME's Standards for Integrity and Independence in Accredited Medical Education. Any individuals in a position to control the content of a CME activity - including faculty, planners, reviewers, or others - are required to disclose all relevant financial relationships with ineligible entities (commercial interests). All relevant conflicts of interest have been mitigated prior to the commencement of the activity.  

Faculty  

  • Jonathan Meyer, MD, Clinical Professor of Psychiatry, University of California, San Diego. Disclosures - Consultant: Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Alkermes, Abbvie, Intra-Cellular Therapies, Neurocrine; Speaker Bureau: Acadia Pharmaceuticals, Alkermes, Janssen Pharmaceutica, Neurocrine, Otsuka America, Inc., Sunovion Pharmaceuticals, and Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd.  

Program Planners 

  • Tristan Gorrindo, MD, American Psychiatric Association. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests. 
  • Teri Brister, PhD, National Alliance on Mental Illness. Reports no financial relationships with commercial interests. 

Accessibility for Participants with Disabilities 

The American Psychiatric Association is committed to ensuring accessibility of its website to people with disabilities. If you have trouble accessing any of APA’s online resources, please contact us at 202-559-3900 for assistance. 

Technical Requirements 

This internet-based CME activity is best experienced using any of the following: 

The latest and 2nd latest public versions of Google Chrome, Mozilla Firefox, or Safari 

Internet Explorer 11+ 

This Web site requires that JavaScript and session cookies be enabled. Certain activities may require additional software to view multimedia, presentation, or printable versions of the content. These activities will be marked as such and will provide links to the required software. That software may be: Adobe Acrobat Reader, Microsoft PowerPoint, and Windows Media Player. 

Optimal System Configuration: 

Browser: Google Chrome (latest and 2nd latest version), Safari (latest and 2nd latest version), Internet Explorer 11.0+, Firefox (latest and 2nd latest version), or Microsoft Edge (latest and 2nd latest version) 

Operating System: Windows versions 8.1+, Mac OS X 10.5 (Leopard) +, Android (latest and 2nd latest version), or iOS/iPad OS (latest and 2nd latest version) 

Internet Connection: 1 Mbps or higher 

Minimum Requirements: 

Windows PC: Windows 8.1 or higher; 1 GB (for 32-bit)/2 GB (for 64-bit) or higher RAM; Microsoft DirectX 9 graphics device with WDDM driver; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content 

Macintosh: Mac OS X 10.5 or higher with latest updates installed; Intel, PowerPC G5, or PowerPC G4 (867MHz or faster) processor; 512 MB or higher RAM; audio playback with speakers for programs with video content 

For assistance: Contact educme@psych.org for questions about this activity |  

Contact support@smicaladviser.org for technical assistance 

 

Summary
Availability:
On-Demand
Expires on Jul 30, 2028
Credit Offered:
1 CME Credit
1 COP Credit
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