About Clozapine 25 mg Tablet
Clozapine 25 mg Tablet contains Clozapine 25 mg. Clozapine is an antipsychotic medicine used for schizophrenia that has not improved with other antipsychotics, and to lower the risk of suicidal behaviour in some people with schizophrenia. It can be very effective, but it can cause serious side effects, especially a drop in white blood cells. Regular blood tests are required for as long as you take it.
Uses of Clozapine 25 mg Tablet
- Treatment-resistant schizophrenia
- Reducing the risk of suicidal behaviour in schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
- Psychosis in Parkinson's disease, as decided by a specialist
Benefits
In schizophrenia
It can reduce hallucinations, unusual beliefs and confused thinking when other medicines have not helped. With regular use and monitoring, it can help people stay well and live more independently.
Side effects
Some side effects such as drowsiness and drooling are common and may improve with time. Never stop clozapine or change the dose without talking to your doctor.
Common
- Drowsiness
- Excess saliva (drooling), especially at night
- Constipation
- Dizziness, especially on standing
- Fast heartbeat
- Weight gain
Get medical help if you notice
- Fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers or flu-like symptoms — may be a sign of very low white blood cells; contact your doctor straight away for a blood test
- Chest pain, fast heartbeat at rest, breathlessness or fever, especially in the first two months — may be heart muscle inflammation; seek emergency care
- Severe constipation, stomach pain or swelling, or no bowel movement — can be serious; contact your doctor promptly
- Fits (seizures) or fainting — seek emergency care
- High fever with stiff muscles and confusion — seek emergency care
- Excessive thirst, passing urine often — may be high blood sugar; contact your doctor
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed, with or without food. Swallow the tablet with water. Your doctor will start with a low dose and increase it slowly. Go for every blood test you are asked to have.
How it works
Clozapine acts on several chemical messengers in the brain, including dopamine and serotonin receptors. This helps balance brain activity and reduce psychotic symptoms.
Safety advice
Alcohol Unsafe
Avoid alcohol. It adds to drowsiness and can cause dangerous low blood pressure.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
Use only if your doctor advises it. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Unsafe
It passes into breast milk and breastfeeding is not recommended while taking it.
Driving Unsafe
It can cause drowsiness and, rarely, fits. Do not drive or operate machinery unless your doctor says it is safe.
Kidney Caution
Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease. It must not be used in severe kidney disease.
Liver Caution
Your doctor may check liver tests. It must not be used in active or severe liver disease.
If you miss a dose
If you miss a dose, take it when you remember, unless it is nearly time for the next one. Do not take two doses together. If you have missed doses for more than 2 days, do not restart at your usual dose — contact your doctor first, as it must be restarted at a low dose.
Quick tips
- Never miss your blood tests — they keep you safe.
- Report fever, sore throat or flu-like symptoms to your doctor immediately.
- Tell your doctor if you start or stop smoking, as this changes clozapine levels.
- Eat fibre, drink fluids and tell your doctor early about constipation.
- Do not stop suddenly; your doctor will lower the dose slowly if it needs to stop.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Same salts, other strengths or forms
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Dibenzodiazepine
- Therapeutic class
- Neuro-psychiatry / antipsychotic
- Action class
- Atypical antipsychotic
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Carbamazepine and other medicines that can lower white blood cells | Higher risk of dangerously low white blood cells — must not be used together |
| Fluvoxamine, ciprofloxacin and some other medicines | Can raise clozapine levels a lot and cause toxicity |
| Smoking (starting or stopping) | Smoking lowers clozapine levels; stopping can raise them sharply |
| Benzodiazepines and other sedatives | Higher risk of collapse, breathing problems and low blood pressure |
| Medicines with anticholinergic effects | More constipation, dry mouth and confusion |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Clozapine prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); US FDA boxed warnings for clozapine; NICE BNF: clozapine). Pharmacist review pending.