Clozaril(clozapine), an atypical antipsychotic medication to treat schizophrenia (a mental disorder in which patients interpret reality abnormally). The medicine reduces the risk of recurrent suicidal behavior in patients with schizoaffective disorder.
Though the medicine can treat mental disorders, Clozaril’s side effects may lead to severe problems. The medicine affects the immune system, so it includes the chances of getting infections more easily. It’s good to consult a doctor if any allergic reactions are felt or seen.
Clozaril does not have the approval for use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.
How does Clozaril Work?
Clozapine, an active ingredient of clozapine, works in the brain. It affects a neurotransmitter called dopamine. Neurotransmitters involved the chemicals stored in nerve cells and lead to the transmission of messages between the nerve cells.
The Dopamine neurotransmitter regulates mood and behavior, amongst other things. Schizophrenia gets caused due to the overactivity of dopamine in the brain, and it associates with delusions and hallucinations (features of schizophrenia).
Clozaril works by blocking the receptors in the brain on which dopamine acts. It prevents any excessive activity of dopamine and controls psychotic illness.
Clozaril can cause serious side effects. So, it gets restricted to treat schizophrenia in patients who have not responded to or get intolerant of other treatments. The medicine also treats psychotic illness in patients with Parkinson’s disease, in which other treatments haven’t been effective.
Clozaril also treats episodes of mania in people with psychiatric disorders, bipolar affective disorder. However, these disorders get treated by Clozaril if other medicines have been ineffective at treating the diseases.
Clozaril side effects:
As mentioned above, Clozaril affects the immune system so that you may get infected more easily. Clozaril can increase the risk of seizure, especially when high doses get consumed. The medicine may cause serious heart problems. Click here to know more details about Clozaril’s side effects. Click here to find more information on Clozaril’s side effects.
Seek medical help if you have any allergic reaction or a severe skin reaction. The injuries done by the may medicine lead to fatal results. The doctor may delay the doses until the infection clears up.
Call your doctor if you notice any of the following:
- Fever, flu-like symptoms
- Extreme weakness
- Mouth, throat, or skin sores
- New or worsening cough leading to shortness of breath and trouble in breathing
- Vaginal itching or discharge
Long-term use of Clozaril leads to a severe movement disorder that may not get treated further. The longer you intake the medicine, the more likely you develop the disorder.
High doses of Clozaril increase the risk of seizure. Contact your doctor if you have:
- Uncontrolled muscles in your face- tongue movement, frowning, blinking or eye movement, lip-smacking.
- A seizure
- Severe constipation
- Dry or hard bowel movements
- Nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, or bloating
- Heart problems- chest pain, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in the chest, shortness of breath, and sudden dizziness
- Liver Problems- loss of appetite, stomach pain, tiredness, itching, dark coloration of urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice
- Severe nervous system reactions- muscles are getting stiff, high fever, searing, confusion, irregular heartbeats, tremors.
- Signs of a Blood clot in the lung- chest pain, sudden cough, wheezing, coughing up blood, rapid breathing.
The side effects of Clozaril do not limit to the list. So, you should get medical help if any changes you see after the medication.
Other common Clozaril side effects may include:
- Weight gain
- Dizziness, tremor
- Fast heart rate
- Nausea, constipation
- Head nausea
- Dry mouth
- Increased salivation
- Fever and increased sweating
Ritalin vs. Concerta:
Ritalin and Concerta both medicine stimulate the central nervous system and get prescribed to treat ADHD (attention deficit hyperactivity disorder). Both the medicines have the same active ingredient, the psychostimulant methylphenidate. To get more details of Ritalin vs. Concerta, click here.
Ritalin, the short-acting form of methylphenidate, needs frequent dosing throughout the day to have its effects. When consumed, methylphenidate gets released, and usually, the results last for 4-6 hours. So the child in school will need to take another dose of the medicine during lunchtime and then again in the day to remain active.
Concerta, an extended-release version of methylphenidate, gets released slowly over time and lasts for about 10-12 hours. Typically a person may consume the medicine in the morning and not require the medication until the next day.
As Concerta is an extended-release drug, so the available dosages of the medicine get higher than Ritalin.
Summary:
Clozaril treats schizophrenia (a mental disorder). However, Clozaril’s side effects include confusion, fast heart rates, dizziness, weakness, drooling, seizure, and many others. It’s good to consult your doctor if you feel any changes in your body after the medication.
