Clozapine
Schizophrenia, Advance Directives, Parkinson Disease + 6 more
Treatment
10 FDA approvals
20 Active Studies for Clozapine
Treatment for
Schizophrenia
What is Clozapine
Clozapine
The Generic name of this drug
Treatment Summary
Clozapine is a type of antipsychotic medication that works by blocking serotonin and dopamine receptors in the brain. It is an atypical drug, meaning it works differently from other antipsychotic medications. Although it is effective in treating psychotic disorders, the main side effect is a serious decrease in white blood cells, which can lead to infection.
Clozaril
is the brand name
Clozapine Overview & Background
Brand Name
Generic Name
First FDA Approval
How many FDA approvals?
Clozaril
Clozapine
1989
97
Approved as Treatment by the FDA
Clozapine, also called Clozaril, is approved by the FDA for 10 uses which include Schizophrenia, Treatment-Resistant and Schizoaffective Disorders .
Schizophrenia, Treatment-Resistant
Helps manage Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia
Schizoaffective Disorders
Helps manage Schizoaffective Disorders
Suicidal Behaviour
Helps manage Suicidal Behaviour
Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia
Helps manage Treatment Resistant Schizophrenia
Severe Mental Illness
Helps manage Severe Mental Illness
Disease
Helps manage inadequate response to conventional therapy
Schizoaffective Disorder
Helps manage Schizoaffective Disorders
Schizophrenia
Helps manage Schizophrenia
High Risk
Helps manage High Risk
Suicide
Helps manage Suicidal Behaviour
Effectiveness
How Clozapine Affects Patients
Clozapine is a medication used to treat schizophrenia. It works by blocking certain receptors in the brain and has effects on serotonin, dopamine, adrenaline, and histamine. Common side effects include dry mouth, dizziness, and drowsiness. Clozapine can also cause serious side effects such as agranulocytosis (low white blood cell count) and myocarditis (inflammation of the heart). Patients taking clozapine should be monitored closely for these conditions, and if they occur, clozapine should not be re-taken.
How Clozapine works in the body
Clozapine combats the symptoms of psychosis by blocking certain chemical receptors in the brain. In the mesolimbic pathway, the drug blocks D2 receptors to reduce positive symptoms, and in the frontal cortex, it blocks 5-HT2A receptors to reduce negative symptoms.
When to interrupt dosage
The proposed measure of Clozapine is contingent upon the diagnosed condition, including High Risk, Severe Mental Illness and Schizoaffective Disorder. The dosage also varies as per the mode of administration listed in the table beneath.
Condition
Dosage
Administration
Severe Mental Illness
, 25.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 12.5 mg, 150.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL
Oral, Tablet, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Suspension - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral
Parkinson Disease
, 25.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 12.5 mg, 150.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL
Oral, Tablet, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Suspension - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral
Schizophrenia
, 25.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 12.5 mg, 150.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL
Oral, Tablet, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Suspension - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral
Advance Directives
, 25.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 12.5 mg, 150.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL
Oral, Tablet, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Suspension - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral
Schizoaffective Disorder
, 25.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 12.5 mg, 150.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL
Oral, Tablet, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Suspension - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral
High Risk
, 25.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 12.5 mg, 150.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL
Oral, Tablet, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Suspension - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral
Suicide
, 25.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 12.5 mg, 150.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL
Oral, Tablet, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Suspension - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral
Disease
, 25.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 12.5 mg, 150.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL
Oral, Tablet, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Suspension - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral
Schizophrenia, Treatment-Resistant
, 25.0 mg, 100.0 mg, 50.0 mg, 200.0 mg, 12.5 mg, 150.0 mg, 50.0 mg/mL
Oral, Tablet, , Tablet - Oral, Suspension, Suspension - Oral, Tablet, orally disintegrating, Tablet, orally disintegrating - Oral
Warnings
There are 20 known major drug interactions with Clozapine.
Common Clozapine Drug Interactions
Drug Name
Risk Level
Description
Abemaciclib
Major
The metabolism of Abemaciclib can be increased when combined with Clozapine.
Acalabrutinib
Major
The metabolism of Acalabrutinib can be increased when combined with Clozapine.
Acepromazine
Major
Clozapine may increase the orthostatic hypotensive, hypotensive, and antihypertensive activities of Acepromazine.
Aclidinium
Major
The risk or severity of adverse effects can be increased when Clozapine is combined with Aclidinium.
Alectinib
Major
The metabolism of Alectinib can be increased when combined with Clozapine.
Clozapine Toxicity & Overdose Risk
Clozapine carries a serious warning for a condition called agranulocytosis, which can lead to decreased white blood cell counts.
Clozapine Novel Uses: Which Conditions Have a Clinical Trial Featuring Clozapine?
230 ongoing investigations are assessing the utility of Clozapine in treating High Risk Patients, Parkinsonian Syndromes and Suicidal Ideation.
Condition
Clinical Trials
Trial Phases
Schizophrenia
97 Actively Recruiting
Phase 3, Not Applicable, Early Phase 1, Phase 4, Phase 1, Phase 2
Schizoaffective Disorder
43 Actively Recruiting
Phase 4, Phase 1, Phase 2, Not Applicable, Phase 3
Schizophrenia, Treatment-Resistant
4 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable, Phase 4, Phase 3
Suicide
5 Actively Recruiting
Not Applicable
Advance Directives
0 Actively Recruiting
High Risk
0 Actively Recruiting
Disease
0 Actively Recruiting
Parkinson Disease
0 Actively Recruiting
Severe Mental Illness
0 Actively Recruiting
Clozapine Reviews: What are patients saying about Clozapine?
4.7
Patient Review
1/17/2022
Clozapine for Schizophrenia
4.7
Patient Review
3/14/2014
Clozapine for Schizophrenia
4.7
Patient Review
12/29/2011
Clozapine for Suicidal Behavior in Schizoaffective Disorder
4.7
Patient Review
5/9/2014
Clozapine for Suicidal Behavior in Schizoaffective Disorder
3.3
Patient Review
4/3/2014
Clozapine for Mania associated with Bipolar Disorder
2
Patient Review
11/9/2014
Clozapine for Schizophrenia
1.7
Patient Review
3/23/2022
Clozapine for Suicidal Behavior in Schizophrenia
1
Patient Review
4/2/2022
Clozapine for Schizophrenia
Patient Q&A Section about clozapine
These questions and answers are submitted by anonymous patients, and have not been verified by our internal team.
What is the drug clozapine used for?
"This medication is prescribed to patients with severe schizophrenia who have not responded well to other medications. It is also used to lower the risk of suicide in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder."
Answered by AI
Why is clozapine high risk?
"Clozapine causes several severe side effects, including a decrease in white blood cells, a decrease in neutrophils (a type of white blood cell), constipation (which can be severe), inflammation of the heart muscle, and negative effects on metabolism. These side effects can occur at any time during treatment and are not necessarily linked to the dose of the drug."
Answered by AI
What class of drug is clozapine?
"This drug is classified as atypical because it affects both serotonin and dopamine receptors."
Answered by AI
What is the major side effect of clozapine?
"Taking clozapine may cause you to feel dizzy, lightheaded, or like you're going to faint when you stand up, especially when you first start taking it or when your dose is increased. If you've had a heart attack, heart failure, or a slow, irregular heartbeat in the past, or if you're taking medication for high blood pressure, tell your doctor."
Answered by AI