Clozapine Description

Generic Name: CLOZAPINE

Pronunciation: (kloe' za peen)

Trade Name(s): Leponex, Lozapin, Sizopin, Skizoril

Why it is prescribed: Clozapine is used to treat severe emotional and mental conditions.

When it is to be taken: Clozapine is usually taken one to three times a day. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully.

How it should be taken: Clozapine comes in the form of tablets. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose.

Special Instruction:
1. Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory so that your response to this drug can be evaluated. Your dose may need to be adjusted, especially drug the first few weeks.
2. You probably will have weekly blood test while taking clozapine and for four weeks after discontinuing it.
3. Take clozapine exactly as your doctor has directed. Do not take more or less of it and do not take it more or less often than as instructed.
4. Do not stop taking clozapine without consulting your doctor. Your doctor may want to decrease your dose gradually.
5. Clozapine causes drowsiness, dizziness, and seizures in some people. Avoid driving a car, operating dangerous machinery, or participating in hazardous activities while taking clozapine.
6. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Alcohol can add to the drowsiness and other side effects caused by this drug.
7. If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember and take any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose when it is almost time for your next dose, take only the scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose.

Side Effects:
1. Dry mouth. Suck sugarless hard candies or chew sugarless gum.
2. Dizziness, especially when getting up from a sitting or lying position. Get up slowly.
3. Drowsiness, sweating, excessive salivation. Contact your doctor; your doctor may adjust your dose or prescribe another drug to control these symptoms.
4. Constipation or Diarrhea, nausea, vomiting, headache, restlessness, vision problems. Contact your doctor if these symptoms persist or are severe.
5. Seizures, tremor, flu-like symptoms, sore throat, weakness, fever, mouth sores, any sign of infection. Contact your doctor immediately.
6. Fast or irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing. Stop taking clozapine and contact your doctor immediately.

Other Precautions:
1. Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking or plan to take, especially drugs for high blood pressure, anticoagulants, and digoxin.
2. Tell your doctor your entire medical background, especially if you have a history of glaucoma, seizures, or epilepsy; heart, kidney, or liver disease; or an enlarged prostate gland.
3. Women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant should inform their doctors.
4. Do not breast-feed while taking clozapine.

Storage Conditions: Keep this medication in the container it came in and out of the reach of children.