Clozaril (Clozapine) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 26, 2012

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Schizophrenia facts

Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, debilitating mental illness that affects about 1% of the population, more than 2 million people in the United States alone.
With the sudden onset of severe psychotic symptoms, the individual is said to be experiencing acute schizophrenia. Psychotic means out of touch with reality or unable to separate real from unreal experiences.
There is no known single cause of schizophrenia. As discussed later, it appears that genetic factors produce a vulnerability to schizophrenia, with environmental factors contributing to different degrees in different individuals.
There are a number of various treatments for schizophrenia. Given the complexity of schizophrenia, the major questions about this disorder (its cause or causes, prevention, and treatment) are unlikely to be resolved in the near future. The public should beware of those offering "t...

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Clozaril Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking clozapine (Clozaril)?

Clozapine is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Clozapine may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

You should not take this medication if you are allergic to clozapine, or if you have:

untreated or uncontrolled epilepsy;
paralytic ileus or intestinal blockage;
a history of infection while taking clozapine; or
if you are also using drugs that weaken your immune system (such as cancer medicine or steroids).

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before taking clozapine, tell your doctor if you have:

heart disease, heart rhythm disorder, high blood pressure, or a history of heart attack;
liver or kidney disease;
lung disease;
diabetes;
a history of bone marrow or blood cell disorders;
glaucoma; or
an enlarged prostate or urination problems.

Clozapine may raise your blood sugar, causing symptoms such as increased thirst, loss of appetite, increased urination, drowsiness, nausea, or fruity breath odor. Call your doctor right away if you have any of these symptoms.

FDA pregnancy category B: This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not use clozapine without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Clozapine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not use this medication if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Clozapine orally-disintegrating tablets contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using this form of clozapine if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

How should I take clozapine (Clozaril)?

Take clozapine exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take it in larger doses or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Clozapine can be taken with or without food.

Take the regular oral tablet (Clozaril) with a full glass of water.

The orally-disintegrating tablet (FazaClo) can be taken without water. Gently peel back the foil from the blister pack and drop the tablet onto your dry hand. Do not push tablet through the foil. Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.

If your doctor has prescribed one-half of an orally-disintegrating tablet, you will need to break the tablet in half. Throw the other half away. Do not store it for later use.

While you are taking clozapine, your blood may need to be tested every week for the first 6 months of treatment. Do not miss any scheduled blood tests. After 6 months, blood tests may be needed less often.

If you stop taking clozapine for more than 2 days in a row, call your doctor before you start taking it again. You may need a lower dose. Do not stop taking clozapine or change your dose without first talking to your doctor.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using clozapine.

Store clozapine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep each FazaClo tablet in the unopened blister pack until you are ready to take the medicine.

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