What special precautions should I follow?
Before taking Clozapine:
Clozapine is not for use in older adults with dementia.
Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs: phenytoin (Dilantin®), carbamazepine (Tegretol®), rifampin (Rifadin®, Rimactane®), cimetidine (Tagamet®), erythromycin (E-Mycin®, E.E.S®, Ery-Tab®), atropine (Donnatal®, and others), belladonna, clidinium (Quarzan®), dicyclomine (Bentyl®), scopolamine (Transderm-Scop®), drugs that weaken your immune system (such as cancer medicine or steroids), or drugs that make you sleepy (such as alcohol, cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxants, and medicine for depression or anxiety). If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to take clozapine, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed above that can affect clozapine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without first telling your doctor.
Furthermore, do not take clozapine without first talking to your doctor if you have seizures or epilepsy, paralytic ileus, a history of decreased white blood cells when taking clozapine, heart disease, high blood pressure, a previous heart attack, irregular heartbeats, liver disease, kidney disease, lung disease, diabetes, a history of bone marrow or blood cell disorders, narrow angle glaucoma, or an enlarged prostate or urination problems. If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use clozapine or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
Additionally, clozapine may raise your blood sugar. Symptoms include extreme thirst, increased urination, excessive hunger, or weakness. If you are diabetic and you use medication to control your blood sugar, your dosage may need to be adjusted while you are using clozapine.
You may need to stop using clozapine temporarily if you will be having surgery. Tell the surgeon that you are using this medication.
Clozapine orally-disintegrating tablets contain phenylalanine. Tell your doctor if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).
Avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities during treatment with clozapine. Clozapine may cause seizures, dizziness, or fainting. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking clozapine.
Also note that this medication falls into the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. However, do not use clozapine without telling your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
On the other hand, clozapine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Why is this medication prescribed?
Dosage and using this medicine
What should I do if I forget a dose?
What side effects can this medication cause?