Clonazil

Clozaril: Effective Treatment for Schizophrenia

Clozaril is a prescription medication used to treat schizophrenia, a mental illness characterized by disturbances in thinking, feelings, and behavior. It helps correct chemical imbalances in the brain that may cause mental illness. Clozaril is recommended for patients whose symptoms are not adequately managed by other antipsychotic medications or who experience severe side effects from them.

Clozaril tablets contain the active ingredient clozapine and belong to a group of medicines called antipsychotics. It is available only with a doctor’s prescription and is not addictive. However, it is not recommended for children or adolescents due to a lack of information on its use in this age group. Additionally, it is not suitable for patients aged 60 years and over with dementia.

How to Take Clozaril

• Dosage: The starting dose is 12.5 mg once daily or twice daily. The total daily dose can be increased in increments of 25 mg to 50 mg per day, if well-tolerated, to achieve a target dose of 300 mg to 450 mg per day by the end of 2 weeks. Subsequent increases can be made once or twice weekly in increments of up to 100 mg.
• Administration: Clozaril can be taken with or without food. It is essential to use a low starting dose and a gradual titration schedule to minimize the risk of side effects such as orthostatic hypotension, bradycardia, and syncope.
• Monitoring: Regular monitoring of the absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is crucial. Patients must have a baseline ANC of at least 1500/µL for the general population and at least 1000/µL for those with documented Benign Ethnic Neutropenia (BEN). During treatment, ANC must be monitored regularly, and patients should report any symptoms consistent with severe neutropenia or infection immediately.

Important Considerations

• Side Effects: Clozaril can cause agranulocytosis, a serious condition defined by an ANC less than 500/µL, which can lead to serious infections and death. Discontinue the medication if the ANC is less than 1000/µL or the white blood cell count is less than 2000/µL.
• Long-Term Use: Patients should continue maintenance treatment on their effective dose beyond the acute episode to manage symptoms effectively.

By following these guidelines and consulting with your doctor, Clozaril can be an effective treatment option for managing schizophrenia symptoms.