General Information
Uses
What should I know before taking this drug
Precautions
Dosage information
Adverse reactions
Storage
Additional information if any
Clopaz tab (Triton)
Sizopin tab (Sun)
Clozapine is a prescription drug available from your pharmacy store only with the prescription of a qualified medical practitioner.
Clozapine is pronounced as: KLOE-za-peen
Clozapine is an anti psychotic medication belonging to diazepine group of drugs.
Clozapine is used in the treatment of Schizophrenia and psychosis in parkinson’s disease.
- Take clozapine exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If do not understand these instructions ask your pharmacist, nurse or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take oral dose of clozapine preferably with meals to avoid gastric upset.
- Take clozapine at regular intervals as advised by your doctor for it to be effective.
- Clozapine may take up to 2-3 wks to show its beneficial effects. However continue to take it as advised.
- Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer duration than recommended by your doctor as it may lead to drug- dependence.
- Do not skip doses or stop taking clozapine without consulting your doctor.
- Always remember to inform your health expert if you are currently taking any OTC or prescription drugs like,
- Anti cancer drugs
- Sedatives like lorazepam
- Anti depressants like Amitriptyline
- Anti convulsants like phenytoin. Phenobarbitone, carbamazepine
- Anti arrhythmic like Quinidine
- Inform your doctor if you have following medical diseases , as clozapine should be used cautiously in these conditions
- Decreased or no bowel movement( paralytic ileus)
- Benign hyperplasia of prostate
- Narrow angle glaucoma
- Liver and heart diseases
Do not use clozapine if you are suffering from blood disorders or seizures.
Children: Use clozapine in children with extreme caution.
Old people: Use clozapine in older people with cautions as they are more prone to clozipine adverse effects like bone marrow depression, convulsions.
Pregnant woman: Clozapine belongs to FDA pregnancy category B. This means that clozapine is safe during pregnancy and is not expected to cause any harm to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning for conception.
Lactating women: It is not known whether clozapine passes into breast milk or if it could harm the baby. Do not take clozapine with out first talking to doctor if you are breast feeding baby.
Other:
Clozapine is available in the form of tablets.
Use as directed by your physician, your physician prescribes depending on the severity of disease.Use the complete course of medication as prescribed by your physician even though you feel better after one or two days of usage of medication.
If it is almost the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at same time to cover up the missed dose.
In case of overdose contact your nearest poison control centre or emergency medical centre for immediate care by physician.
The overdose symptoms of Clozapine include
Clozapine may cause following side effects
- Increased sweating, salivation
- Giddiness when changing posture
Consult your doctor immediately if notice following symptoms.
- Allergic reaction like swollen lips, hives, difficulty in breathing, rashes. Peeling of skin etc
- Uncontrolled movements of the hands, legs, tongue, face
- Fever , chills, sore throat
- Loss of coordination, confusion
Store at room temp (15 – 30 degrees C). Avoid excessive heat, moisture or direct sunlight, never store in the bathroom.
Keep it out of reach of children. Make sure that any leftover portion is disposed off safely.
- Avoid getting dehydrated or extreme heat as Clozapine may increase the risk of having heat stroke. Take plenty of oral fluids in hot weather and during exercise
- Clozapine may lower your body resistance to fight infection. Therefore avoid contact with people who have infection like fever, cold, sore throat etc.
- Clozapine may rarely cause a group of symptoms called as Neuroleptic Malignant syndrome characterised by difficulty in swallowing, Muscle stiffness, rapid heart rate, visual disturbances, etc, stop the drug immediately and consult your doctor.
- Clozapine may cause dizziness when getting up from sitting or lying down position due to postural hypotension. Use precaution while changing posture to avoid falling down.
- Avoid foods and drinks containing caffeine like coffee, tea, Colas, chocolate.
- If you are a diabetic on this medication, monitor your blood sugar levels closely
- Clozapine causes giddiness, drowsiness and visual disturbances as side effects. Therefore when affected do not drive, operate heavy machinery or perform unsafe tasks.
- Clozapine should be used cautiously in elderly patients as they more prone for side effects like muscle stiffness, involuntary movements etc
- Inform your doctor and dentist regarding Clozapine medication prior to any planned procedure.
- Regular monitoring of your complete blood cell counts, liver function test is required when on this medication to look for possible side effects.
It is imp to read manufacturing packaging instruction carefully if available and always do not hesitate to consult pharmacist or physician for any information.
Written by: Healthplus24 team
Date last Updated: November 16, 2011