Uses

Clozaril (clozapine) is an atypical antipsychotic medication that works by affecting the activity of the brain’s neurotransmitters. This medication is only available by prescription. Due to the adverse side effects that may be experienced when taking this drug, you should carefully follow all the directions laid out by your doctor.

What Mental Health Conditions Does Clorazil Treat?

Clozaril is used to treat symptoms associated with severe schizophrenia, including hallucinations, breaks with reality, suicidal behavior, and extreme emotions, thoughts, or feelings. While Clozaril will help control behaviors that accompany the condition, it is not a “cure” for schizophrenia.

This drug is often prescribed to adults who need to augment other antipsychotic medications, or when they have not responded to other schizophrenia treatments. In most cases, Clozaril is suggested only after two or more alternative antipsychotic drugs have been tried.

It may be helpful to consider pairing antipsychotic medication with some type of psychotherapy. Many available studies indicate that psychotropic medication treatment augmented with psychotherapy helps improve the quality of life to a greater degree for those in treatment than medication alone. Psychotherapy is a healthy way to address many emotions and behaviors associated with conditions Clozaril is used to treat.

Dosage

Pay close attention to the dosage instructions provided by your doctor and/or pharmacist. Your clinician’s directions will likely include the following recommendations:

• Clozaril comes in a quick-dissolve tablet form and is usually taken one to three times per day. Take a consistent dose each day; do not alter the amount of medication you take without first speaking to your doctor. Up to two weeks may pass before you feel the full effect of this drug. It is important to continue taking the medication exactly as directed by your doctor, even after you begin to feel well.
• If a dose is missed, take the missed dose as soon as you are able to. However, do not take the missed dose if you are close to the time for your next scheduled dose. Having too much of the drug in your system may cause an overdose. If you do not take the drug for two days or longer, speak to your doctor before you retake it.
• If you overdose on Clozaril, call a poison helpline and seek emergency medical care right away. Signs and symptoms of overdose include sedation, fainting, problems with breathing, dizziness, delirium, erratic heartbeat, drooling, seizures, and coma. Overdoses above 2500 mg may be fatal; however some individuals have recovered from overdoses in excess of 4000 mg.