Clozapine and swallowing

PFL · May 14, 2018, 12:02pm

I’ve been on clozapine for about four weeks and have noticed difficulties in swallowing recently - can this be caused by clozapine? My mouth and throat are quite dry, although I drool a lot at night…

Thanks

Andhrawala · May 14, 2018, 12:56pm

@PFL I think yes. Anti psychotics can cause muscle stiffness in facial muscles and like symptoms. And Clozapine is no exception. Immediately check with your Psychiatrist.

firemonkey · May 14, 2018, 2:19pm

ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clozapine-induced dysphagia with secondary substantial weight loss.

M Osman and V Devadas, BMJ case reports, Aug 2016 19

Dysphagia is listed as a 'rare' side effect following clozapine treatment. In this case report, we describe how significant clozapine-induced dysphagia has led to significant reduction of nutritional intake with subsequent substantial weight loss. An 18-year-old single man with an established diagnosis of treatment-resistant paranoid schizophrenia recovered well on a therapeutic dose of clozapine. However, he was noted to lose weight significantly (up to 20% of his original weight) as the dose was uptitrated. This was brought about by development of dysphagia, likely to be due to clozapine. Addition of nutritional supplementary liquids and initiation of a modified behavioural dietary/swallowing programme, while repeatedly mastering the Mendelsohn manoeuvre technique, alleviated the swallowing difficulties and restored his weight.

nodrugs · May 15, 2018, 6:06am

It can definitely be from Clozaril. It could be worse since it’s new. It can be related to extraparamytal symptoms so that’s something to watch for.

clinic · May 15, 2018, 7:14am

I’m on clozapine and I never had that problem. Only had it when I had some kind of infection like throat infection

Andhrawala · May 15, 2018, 8:45am

@clinic Well, not every one gets the same side effect !!!

PFL · May 15, 2018, 2:02pm

I have an appointment with the psychiatrist on Monday so will ask then…

PFL x