CLOZARIL DESCRIPTION
Clozaril
Description
Manufactured by Novartis Pharmaceuticals Inc. CLOZARIL reduces the symptoms associated with schizophrenia, and now results from the International Suicide Prevention Trial (InterSePT) have demonstrated that CLOZARIL can reduce the risk of suicidal behavior in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. People with schizoaffective disorder have symptoms of both schizophrenia and mood disorders, such as mental or physical mania (overactivity).
Ingredient
Clozapine
Caution
CLOZARIL is associated with few or none of the side effects involving the muscles, such as restlessness, stiffness, shakiness, and cramps.
Where can I order Clozaril From?
Can I buy Clozaril at Canadian Prices?
Yes, if you are from the U.S. then you can
buy Clozaril at Canadian prices. Currently we will only
accept an order for Clozaril from U.S. and Canadian residents.
Both U.S. and Canadian residents require a prescription to purchase
Clozaril and when you order Clozaril it will be delivered
with express shipping.
Why is Clozaril prescribed?
is given to help people with severe schizophrenia who have failed
to respond to standard treatments. Clozaril is not a cure, but
it can help some people return to more normal lives.
Most important fact about Clozaril
Even though it does not produce some of the disturbing side effects of other antipsychotic medications, Clozaril may cause agranulocytosis, a potentially lethal disorder of the white blood cells. Because of the risk of agranulocytosis, anyone who takes Clozaril is required to have a blood test once a week for the first 6 months. The drug is carefully controlled so that those taking it must get their weekly blood test before receiving the following week's supply of medication. If your blood counts have been acceptable for the 6-month period, you will need to have your blood tested only every other week thereafter. Anyone whose blood test results are abnormal will be taken off Clozaril either temporarily or permanently, depending on the results of an additional 4 weeks of testing.
How should you take Clozaril?
Take Clozaril exactly as directed by your doctor. Because of the significant risk of serious side effects associated with this drug, your doctor will periodically reassess the need for continued Clozaril therapy. Clozaril is distributed only through the Clozaril Patient Management System, which ensures regular white blood cell testing, monitoring, and pharmacy services prior to delivery of your next supply.
Clozaril may be taken with or without food.
--If you miss a dose...
Take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
If you stop taking Clozaril for more than 2 days, do not start taking it again without consulting your physician.
--Storage instructions...
Store Clozaril at room temperature.
What Clozaril side effects may occur?
Clozaril Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Clozaril.
The most feared Clozaril side effect is agranulocytosis, a dangerous drop in the number of a certain kind of white blood cell. Symptoms include fever, lethargy, sore throat, and weakness. If not caught in time, agranulocytosis can be fatal. That is why all people who take Clozaril must have a blood test every week. About 1 percent develop agranulocytosis and must stop taking the drug.
Seizures are another potential Clozaril side effect, occurring in some 5 percent of people who take Clozaril. The higher the dosage, the greater the risk of seizures.
More common Clozaril side effects may include:
Abdominal discomfort, agitation, confusion, constipation, disturbed sleep, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, fainting, fever, headache, heartburn, high blood pressure, inability to sit down, loss or slowness of muscle movement, low blood pressure, nausea, nightmares, rapid heartbeat and other heart conditions, restlessness, rigidity, salivation, sedation, sweating, tremors, vertigo, vision problems, vomiting, weight gain
Less common Clozaril side effects may include:
Anemia, angina (severe, crushing chest pain), anxiety, appetite increase, blocked intestine, blood clots, bloodshot eyes, bluish tinge in the skin, breast pain or discomfort, bronchitis, bruising, chest pain, chills or chills and fever, constant involuntary eye movement, coughing, delusions, depression, diarrhea, difficult or labored breathing, difficulty swallowing, dilated pupils, disorientation, dry throat, ear disorders, ejaculation problems, excessive movement, eyelid disorder, fast, fluttery heartbeat, fatigue, fluid retention, frequent urination, glaucoma (high pressure in the eye), hallucinations, heart problems, hives, hot flashes, impacted stool, impotence, inability to fall asleep or stay asleep, inability to hold urine, inability to urinate, increase or decrease in sex drive, involuntary movement, irritability, itching, jerky movements, joint pain, lack of coordination, laryngitis, lethargy, light-headedness (especially when rising quickly from a seated or lying position), loss of appetite, loss of speech, low body temperature, memory loss, muscle pain or ache, muscle spasm, muscle weakness, nosebleed, numbness, pain in back, neck, or legs, painful menstruation, pallor, paranoia, pneumonia or pneumonia-like symptoms, poor coordination, rapid breathing, rash, runny nose, shakiness, shortness of breath, skin inflammation, redness, scaling, slow heartbeat, slurred speech, sneezing, sore or numb tongue, speech difficulty, stomach pain, stuffy nose, stupor, stuttering, swollen salivary glands, thirst, throat discomfort, tics, twitching, urination problems, vaginal infection, vaginal itch, a vague feeling of being sick, weakness, wheezing, yellow skin and eyes
Why should Clozaril not be prescribed?
Clozaril is considered a somewhat risky medication because of its potential to cause agranulocytosis and seizures. It should be taken only by people whose condition is serious, and who have not been helped by more traditional antipsychotic medications such as Haldol or Mellaril.
You should not take Clozaril if:
You have a bone marrow disease or disorder;
You have epilepsy that is not controlled;
You ever developed an abnormal white blood cell count while taking Clozaril;
You are currently taking some other drug, such as Tegretol, that could cause a decrease in white blood cell count or a drug that could affect the bone marrow;
You have ever had an allergic reaction to any of its ingredients.
Possible food and drug interactions when taking Clozaril
If Clozaril is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Clozaril with the following:
Alcohol
Antidepressants such as Paxil, Prozac, and Zoloft
Antipsychotic drugs such as Thorazine and Mellaril
Blood pressure medications such as Aldomet and Hytrin
Caffeine
Chemotherapy drugs
Cimetidine (Tagamet)
Digitoxin (Crystodigin)
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Drugs that depress the central nervous system such as phenobarbital and Seconal
Drugs that contain atropine such as Donnatal and Levsin
Epilepsy drugs such as Tegretol and Dilantin
Epinephrine (EpiPen)
Erythromycin (E-Mycin, Eryc, others)
Fluvoxamine (Luvox)
Heart rhythm stabilizers such as Rythmol, Quinidex, and Tambocor
Nicotine
Rifampin (Rifadin)
Tranquilizers such as Valium and Xanax
Warfarin (Coumadin)
Special Clozaril information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding
The effects of Clozaril during pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor immediately. Clozaril treatment should be continued during pregnancy only if absolutely necessary. You should not breastfeed if you are taking Clozaril, since the drug may appear in breast milk.
Recommended Clozaril dosage
ADULTS
Your doctor will carefully individualize your dosage and monitor your response regularly.
The usual recommended initial dose is half of a 25-milligram tablet (12.5 milligrams) 1 or 2 times daily. Your doctor may increase the dosage in increments of 25 to 50 milligrams a day to achieve a daily dose of 300 to 450 milligrams by the end of 2 weeks. Dosage increases after that will be only once or twice a week and will be no more than 100 milligrams each time. Dosage is increased gradually because rapid increases and higher doses are more likely to cause seizures and changes in heart rhythm. The most you can take is 900 milligrams a day divided into 2 or 3 doses.
Your doctor will determine long-term dosage depending upon your response and results of the regular blood tests.
CHILDREN
Safety and efficacy have not been established for children up to 16 years of age.
Clozaril Overdosage
Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
Symptoms of overdose with Clozaril may include:
Coma, delirium, drowsiness, excess salivation, low blood pressure, faintness, pneumonia, rapid heartbeat, seizures, shallow breathing or absence of breathing
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