Clozapine

Clozapine is a second generation antipsychotic medication, which can be used to treat schizophrenia. Clozapine reduces dopamine activity where it is too high, helping with symptoms like hallucinations. It also adjusts dopamin leves in other areas pf the brain to imporve focus and concentraion. Its effect on other brain chemicals makes it more effective and helps offset some movement-related and hormone-related side effects that other antipsychotics can produce. 

There is a naturally occouring chemical messenger ('neurotransmitter') in the brain called dopamine, which is mainly involved in thinking, emotions, behaviour and percepition. With some illnesses, dopamine may be overactive, which upsets the normal balance of chemicals in the brain and can produce a variety of symptoms. 

Clozapine is onyl used to treat schizophrenia when other mediciens have not workedd well. Why clozapine works better to treat schizophrenia when other antipsychotic medicines haven't woeked so well is still not completely understood. Clozapine has also been shown to reduce cravings to smoke and use other drugs. There is also evidence to suggest it protects against suicide for people with schizophrenia. 

When starting a new medication you may experience unwanted side effects, this is the same for clozapine, they include:

• feelung sleepy, tired, weak or exhausted

• feeling dizzy or faint

• weight gain

• constipation 

• increased saliva

• It is very important to tell your doctor if the number of times you poo change. If there is a reduction in the number of times you usually do a poo wach week changes you must let your doctor know.

• blured vision 

• headache

• abnormal movements, muscle stiffness, trembline and restlessness

• dry mouth 

• feeling or being sick

• urinary incontinence

This is only a short list of side effects you may experience, if you want more information please contact your doctor. 

Please do not worry about these side effects. Some people will not get any side effects at all. If you think you are getting side effects from taking clozapine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist. If you do get a side effect, please think about reporting it via the 'Yellow Card' system.

If you have taken more clozapine than the dosage recommended by the doctor who prescribed it to you, you must get medial help immediately - even if you do not feel any different.