Clozaril

Uses of Clozaril

Clorazil is a type of antipsychotic medication that treats mental health conditions like schizophrenia. It works by balancing levels of dopamine and serotonin in your brain. These substances help regulate your mood.

Precautions and Warnings

Clozaril affects your immune system. You may get infections more easily, even serious or fatal infections. Call your doctor if you have a fever, sore throat, weakness, or lack of energy.

Clozaril can increase your risk of seizure, especially at high doses. Avoid any activity that could be dangerous if you have a seizure or lose consciousness.

Clozaril can cause serious heart problems. Call your doctor right away if you have chest pain, trouble breathing, fast or pounding heartbeats or sudden dizziness.

Clozaril is not approved for use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.

Taking antipsychotic medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause breathing problems, feeding problems, or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you get pregnant, tell your doctor right away. Do not stop taking Clozaril without your doctor’s advice.

You should not breastfeed while using Clozaril.

Dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Schizophrenia:

Initial dose: 12.5 mg orally once or twice a day
Titration and Maintenance dose: May increase total daily dose in increments of 25 mg to 50 mg per day to a target dose of 300 mg to 450 mg per day (administered in divided doses) by the end of week 2. Subsequent dose increases can be in increments of up to 100 mg once or twice weekly.
Maximum dose: 900 mg per day

Sife Effects

Common Side Effects:

• weight gain;
• dizziness, tremor;
• fast heart rate;
• headache, drowsiness;
• nausea, constipation;
• dry mouth, or increased salivation;
• vision problems; or
• fever, increased sweating.

Serious Side Effects:

• uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement);
• a seizure (blackout or convulsions);
• severe constipation;
• dry or hard bowel movements, or painful gas;
• heart problems – chest pain, fast or pounding heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, slow heartbeats, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness (like you might pass out);
• liver problems – loss of appetite, stomach pain (upper right side), tiredness, itching, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• severe nervous system reaction – very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out; or
• signs of a blood clot in the lung – chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, rapid breathing, coughing up blood.