Here are important nursing considerations when administering this drug: Nursing Assessment
1 INDICATIONS AND USAGE CLOZARIL is an atypical antipsychotic indicated for: • Treatment-resistant schizophrenia
This document provides guidance on appropriate patient selection, the monitoring required to ensure the safe use of clozapine (i
Find information on Clozapine (Clozaril, FazaClo) in Davis’s Drug Guide including dosage, side effects, interactions, nursing implications, mechanism of action, half life
Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
It is also known by the trade names Clozaril, Denzapine and Zaponex
Nursing2023 Drug Handbook delivers evidence-based, nursing-focused drug monographs for nearly 3700 generic, brand-name, and combination drugs
Brand Name: Clozaril, FazaClo, Gen-Clozapine (CAN) Classification: Antipsychotic (Dopaminergic blocker) Pregnancy Category B
This low affinity to dopamine receptors results in fewer extrapyramidal side
Clozapine efficacy as an “atypical” antipsychotic agent has been recognized since the early 1960s []
If well tolerated, increase by 25–50 mg daily over a 2-week period until the target dosage of 300–450 mg daily (administered in divided doses) is achieved
Clozapine has been found to be an effective treatment in persons with schizophrenia resistant to treatment with other antipsychotic drugs
Extreme tiredness, feeling short of breath, the sensation of having a 'thumping' heart (palpitations), fast heartbeat
CLOZARIL is available in pale yellow tablets of 25 mg and 100 mg for oral administration
Use Caution/Monitor
Because of the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants from clozapine
Clozapine was noted to differ from other antipsychotics available at that time because it produced fewer extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS); it was also reported to have marked analgesic potential
clozapine is prescribed by a specialist mental health team; it does not always appear on the GP summary care record or repeat prescription; 2
Clozapine is associated with heart muscle disease (cardiomyopathy) and inflammation (myocarditis)
IM clozapine has been used at approximately ½ of the dose of oral clozapine due to pharmacokinetic considerations
Clozapine may cause stomach or bowel problems (eg, gastrointestinal hypomotility)