Warnings


What may interact with Clozapine?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

-cisapride
-dextromethorphan; quinidine
-dronedarone
-mesoridazine
-metoclopramide
-pimozide
-quinidine
-thioridazine
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

-alcohol
-antihistamines for allergy, cough, and cold
-atropine
-birth control pills
-bupropion
-caffeine
-carbamazepine
-certain antibiotics like ciprofloxacin, enoxacin, erythromycin, moxifloxacin
-certain medicines for anxiety or sleep
-certain medicines for bladder problems like oxybutynin, tolterodine
-certain medicines for cancer
-certain medicines for depression like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline
-certain medicines for fungal infection like fluconazole, itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole
-certain medicines for irregular heart beat like amiodarone, dofetilide, encainide, flecainide, propafenone, sotalol
-certain medicines for stomach problems like dicyclomine, hyoscyamine
-certain medicines for travel sickness like scopolamine
-cimetidine
-cyclobenzaprine
-dolasetron
-droperidol
-general anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol
-ipratropium
-levodopa or other medicines for Parkinson''s disease
-lithium
-medicines for blood pressure
-medicines for seizures
-medicines that lower your chance of fighting infection
-mefloquine
-methadone
-muscles that relax muscles for surgery
-other medicines that prolong the QT interval (cause an abnormal heart rhythm)
-pentamidine
-phenothiazines like perphenazine, prochlorperazine
-rifampin
-skeletal muscle relaxants
-St. John''s Wort
-tacrolimus
-terbinafine
-ziprasidone

What should I tell my health care provider before I take Clozapine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

-blockage in your bowel
-cancer
-cigarette smoker
-constipation
-dementia
-diabetes
-difficulty swallowing
-glaucoma
-have trouble controlling your muscles
-heart disease
-high cholesterol
-history of irregular heartbeat
-history of stroke
-kidney disease
-liver disease
-low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
-low blood pressure
-Parkinson''s disease
-prostate disease
-seizures
-trouble passing urine
-an unusual or allergic reaction to clozapine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
-pregnant or trying to get pregnant
-breast-feeding

What should I watch for while using Clozapine?

Visit your health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Tell your health care professional if symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Do not stop taking except on your health care professional''s advice. You may develop a severe reaction. Your health care professional will tell you how much medicine to take.
This medicine may cause serious skin reactions. They can happen weeks to months after starting the medicine. Contact your health care provider right away if you notice fevers or flu-like symptoms with a rash. The rash may be red or purple and then turn into blisters or peeling of the skin. Or, you might notice a red rash with swelling of the face, lips or lymph nodes in your neck or under your arms.
You must have a weekly blood test when you first begin this medicine. If your blood counts stay in the right range, your tests may be reduced after 6 months to every other week. Your name will go on a national registry of patients who take this medicine, to make sure that you have never had a serious reaction to it.
This medicine can cause constipation. Talk to your health care provider if you have bowel movements less often than usual or if you have less than 3 bowel movements per week. Call if stool is hard or dry, or if you have trouble passing gas. Contact your provider right away if you have nausea, vomiting, or stomach swelling or pain. Drink plenty of water.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
Do not treat yourself for colds, fever, diarrhea, or allergies. Ask your doctor or health care provider for advice, some nonprescription medicines may increase possible side effects.
This medicine may increase blood sugar. Ask your health care provider if changes in diet or medicines are needed if you have diabetes.
If you smoke, tell your doctor if you notice this medicine is not working well for you. Talk to your doctor if you are a smoker or if you decide to stop smoking.
If you are going to have surgery tell your doctor or health care provider that you are taking this medicine.
This drug can cause problems with controlling your body temperature. It can lower the response of your body to cold temperatures. If possible, stay indoors during cold weather. If you must go outdoors, wear warm clothes. It can also lower the response of your body to heat. Do not overheat. Do not over-exercise. Stay out of the sun when possible. If you must be in the sun, wear cool clothing. Drink plenty of water. If you have trouble controlling your body temperature, call your health care provider right away.

Where should I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.
Store at room temperature below 30 degrees C (86 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.