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| Pronunciation |
|
 (KLOE
za
peen) |
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| Brand Names |
|
| Clozaril® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Leponex®
(Mexico) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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|
Antipsychotic Agent, Dibenzodiazepine |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
|
|
- Uncommon, but potentially life-threatening blood cell problems may
occur in patients receiving this medication. Report any fever, sore throat,
mouth sores, infections, easy bruising, or purple "splotches" on your skin to
your healthcare provider IMMEDIATELY. It is extremely important to follow your
healthcare provider's instructions about blood tests while taking this
medication. These tests are required. This medication may increase your risk of
having a seizure. If you have a history of seizures, head injury, or brain
tumor, your risk of having a seizure may be increased by taking this medication.
If you are taking a large daily dose of this medication, the risk of a seizure
may be increased. Stopping some medications suddenly, a sudden change in
drinking alcohol, or taking certain medications which change the electrical
patterns of the brain may increase the risk of seizures. Check all medications
(including over-the-counter medications and dietary supplements) with your
healthcare provider. Avoid activities where a sudden loss of consciousness may
be dangerous (such as operating machinery, driving a car, swimming, or
climbing). Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing stairs. Talk with healthcare provider if you
do not take clozapine for 2
days.
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|
| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
|
|
- If you have an allergy to clozapine or any other part of the medicine.
- If you have any of the following conditions: A history of low white
blood cell count with clozapine, seizures that are uncontrolled, bone marrow
diseases where not enough blood cells are being
made.
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|
|
| 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.
|
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|
| 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.
|
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|
| 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.
|
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|
| 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 activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines
and herbs 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
activities 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.
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| 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.
|
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| 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.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
|
|
- Store in a tight container at room
temperature.
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| 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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