Clozapine in three individuals with mild mental retardation and treatment-refractory psychiatric disorders.

Few investigators have focused on the response of individuals with mental retardation to clozapine. In the general population, some people who have responded to no other psychotropic have had a tremendous positive response, including increased positive scores "quality of life" measures. Clozapine, however, can cause fatal side effects. At least six people in the United States have died from agranulocytosis despite weekly blood counts. The use of clozapine in the general population was reviewed, potential difficulties in prescribing it for individuals with mental retardation discussed, and three relevant case histories presented.