Clozapine

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Canadian/Mexican Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat psychosis as seen in schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depression, and dementias.
• It can also be used to treat the agitation in the demented patient.
• It is used in people who have not had success with other medicines.
• Six weeks of treatment may be needed to see the full effects of this medicine.

How does it work?

• Clozapine acts as a mood stabilizer and works on improving social interactions, mood, expression of mood, as well as, delusions, paranoia, and appearance.

How is it best taken?

• Take with or without food. Take with food if this medicine causes an upset stomach.
• Make sure you are drinking enough liquids unless told to drink less by healthcare provider. Avoid products with caffeine.
• Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it for a long time. Medicine should be slowly decreased.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
• If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects.
• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Be careful in hot weather. You may be more sensitive to the heat.
• You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Do not use if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling sleepy or lightheaded. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
• Drooling, especially when sleeping.
• High blood pressure or rapid heartbeats.
• Restlessness and inability to stay still or calm.
• Weight gain.
• Change in sexual ability or desire. This can return to normal after medicine stopped. Talk with healthcare provider about other medicines without this side effect.

What should I monitor?

• Monitor for side effects.
• Check blood pressure regularly.
• Check blood work every week. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Headache.
• Fever and/or chills.
• Restlessness and inability to stay still or calm.
• Changes in balance, feeling shaky or unsteady.
• Too tired or sleepy.
• Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
• Menstrual changes. This includes lots of bleeding, spotting, or bleeding between cycles.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight container at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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