Clozapine to prevent violence in schizophrenia

3/7 Clozapine for the Prevention of Violence in Schizophrenia: A Randomized Clinical Trial

['FUNDING_R01'] · UNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL · NIH-11134680

This project explores if a medication called clozapine can help reduce violent behavior in people living with schizophrenia.

Quick facts

Phase['FUNDING_R01']
Study typeNih_funding
SexAll
SponsorUNIV OF NORTH CAROLINA CHAPEL HILL (nih funded)
Locations1 site (CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES)
Trial IDNIH-11134680 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this research studies

While most people with psychosis are not dangerous, some individuals with psychotic disorders face an increased risk for violence, which can lead to worse outcomes and increased stigma. We are conducting a large, multi-site clinical comparison to see if clozapine, an existing antipsychotic medication, is better than usual care at preventing violent acts. Participants will be randomly assigned to receive either clozapine or their standard treatment for 24 weeks. Our aim is to provide clear evidence on clozapine's effectiveness in reducing violence for individuals with schizophrenia in community settings.

Who could benefit from this research

Good fit: Ideal candidates are individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia who are identified as being at high risk for violent behavior.

Not a fit: Patients who do not have schizophrenia or are not at risk for violent behavior would not directly benefit from this specific research.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this could provide a proven treatment option to significantly reduce violent behavior in individuals with schizophrenia, improving their safety and quality of life.

How similar studies have performed: Previous smaller studies have suggested clozapine's potential, but this project is a large, randomized comparison designed to provide more definitive evidence in real-world settings.

Where this research is happening

CHAPEL HILL, UNITED STATES

Researchers

About this research

  1. This is an active NIH-funded research project — typically early-stage science, not a clinical trial accepting patient enrollment.
  2. Some NIH-funded labs run parallel clinical studies or seek volunteers for related work. To check, contact the principal investigator or institution listed above.
  3. For full project details, budget, and progress reports, visit the official NIH RePORTER page below.

View on NIH RePORTER →

Last reviewed 2026-05-15 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.