Clozapine

About clozapine

Clozapine belongs to a group of medicines called antipsychotics. These medicines work on the balance of chemical substances in the brain. You will be prescribed clozapine by a specialist doctor who will keep a thorough and close check on your progress.

Clozapine is prescribed to relieve the symptoms of psychosis. This is the name used by doctors to describe a disordered state of mind. Clozapine is prescribed in particular for people with schizophrenia. Schizophrenia is a mental health problem that causes disordered ideas, beliefs and experiences. People with schizophrenia can have difficulty knowing which thoughts and experiences are true and real and which are not. Similar symptoms to these can also sometimes occur in people who have Parkinson's disease.

Before taking clozapine

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking clozapine it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• If you have a heart condition or blood vessel disease.

• If you have liver, kidney, or prostate problems.

• If you have breathing problems.

• If you have had any surgery on your bowels, or if you have any bowel problems (including severe constipation).

• If you have any of the following: epilepsy, depression, raised pressure in your eye (glaucoma) or myasthenia gravis, a condition which causes muscle weakness.

• If you have ever had yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice) or a blood disorder.

• If you have a tumour on your adrenal gland, a condition called phaeochromocytoma.

• If you have had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

• If you are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

How to take clozapine

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack and the additional information you have been given by your doctor or clinic. These will provide you with more information about clozapine and will include a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Your dose will be individually adjusted to control your symptoms, so take clozapine exactly as your doctor tells you to. Try to get into the habit of taking your doses at the same times of day as this will help you avoid missing any. Clozapine is not affected by food in your stomach so you can take your doses either before or after meals.

• Many people find it helps to swallow the tablet with a drink of water. If you have any difficulties swallowing, let your doctor know about this so that you can be prescribed liquid medicine or melt-in-the-mouth tablets instead.

• If you have been given liquid medicine, make sure you understand how to use the dose syringes (dispensers) to measure out your doses. If you are unsure about this, you can ask your clinic or pharmacist to show you what to do. You can mix your dose into a small glass of water if you like, but do not mix it with any other drinks.

• After you receive a new bottle of liquid medicine from the pharmacy you should shake the bottle vigorously for 90 seconds to ensure the medicine is properly mixed. Then, if possible, leave the bottle to stand for 24 hours before using it. You should also gently shake the bottle for ten seconds before every dose.

• If you have been given an orodispersible tablet, these are made to dissolve in your mouth before swallowing. Remove the tablet carefully from the blister and place it on your tongue. It will dissolve quickly but it may help to have a drink of water first so that your mouth is moist. Make sure your hands are dry before touching the tablet.

• If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless your next dose is due. If it is nearly time for your next dose, take the next dose when it is due but leave out the forgotten dose. Do not take two doses together to make up for a missed dose. If you miss taking clozapine for more than two days, speak with your clinic for advice, as your dose may need adjusting for a short while.

Getting the most from your treatment

• You will need to register with a monitoring service, which will make sure it is safe for you to keep taking clozapine. You will be told how to do this by your clinic.

• Remember to keep your regular doctor's appointments so that your progress can be checked. It is important that you have regular blood tests while you are being treated with clozapine.

• Drinking alcohol will increase the chance that you experience side-effects so should be avoided.

• If you are having an operation, tell the person carrying out the treatment which medicines you are taking. This is important because clozapine may interfere with any anaesthetic you receive.

• If you buy or take any 'over-the-counter' medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take with clozapine.

• If you have diabetes you may need to check your blood sugar (glucose) more frequently, as clozapine can affect the levels of sugar in your blood. Your doctor will advise you about this.

• Smoking may affect the amount of clozapine in your body. Let your doctor know if you start or stop smoking while taking clozapine.

• Treatment with clozapine is long-term and it is important that you continue to take it for as long as your doctor tells you to. Do not change your dose or stop treatment suddenly as this can cause problems. If a change in your treatment becomes necessary, your doctor will want you to reduce your dose gradually over a week or so.

Can clozapine cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. Your doctor will discuss the risks of the treatment with you before you start taking clozapine. In particular, clozapine can cause heart problems and blood disorders. You will be given regular check-up appointments so that your doctor can monitor you for any evidence of these.

The table below contains some of the most common unwanted effects associated with clozapine. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store clozapine

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines