What is so bad about clozapine?

Hi, I keep hearing it’s one of the worst modern APs, why it’s so bad? I personally never tried it

Weakens immune system.

Weight gain and potential reduction of white blood cell count. Otherwise it sounds pretty effective.

It’s not the worst in terms of effect, in fact, it’s by far the best. Studies show that - more or less - every AP, whether typical or atypical, has about the same efficiency. Except for clozapine, which is the best antipsychotic out there.

In terms of side effects, though, it’s probably the worst. It’s the worst AP for weight gain and sedation, it can cause severe constipation. Most notable though is how it can decrease white blood cells in .8-1% of people. For this reason, in the United States, if you’re on clozapine you have to have regular blood tests. Weekly for the first six months, every two weeks the following six months, and monthly after that.

I take clozapine. I get constipation. My blood hasn’t been affected because I draw blood every month. I think it is a pretty good drug, if you can handle the side effects. I take 500 mgs. I think 800 is the max dose. Try not to worry about your blood being affected because they will ketch it…early on if it affects your blood.

It’s not usually the go-to, although it works really well for some people. It requires lab monitoring and can cause dangerous low white blood cell counts call neutropenia.

In addition to possibly causing irreversible, fatal, reductions in white blood cell counts, it can also potentially cause fatal constipation. Too bad, because it’s supposed to be a very effective med.

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I love it. If you do your monthly bloodwork, you should be okay. :fallen_leaf::fallen_leaf::fallen_leaf:

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Weight gain. Night time drooling. Mild incontinence. Very sedating (I take it at bedtime so that’s okay). Weekly bloodwork for the first 6 months.
But it works so well otherwise. It is the only antipsychotic that has worked for me.

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Clozapine for me apparently caused myocarditis. Clozapine-associated myocarditis can be fatal, which is why my clozapine treatment was discontinued. Due to this I will probably never find out if clozapine could help me (I have treatment resistant schizophrenia).

I’ve been taking it for one year. It’s not bad

Been on clozapine since past 6 years. I never had low wbc count. Its good at low doses but at high doses it gives pretty bad side effects.

Clozapine is a great medication, i take it myself. However, it can have some nasty side effects, but you are monitored very closely if you choose to take Clozapine. For a small minority, it will cause some very rare but potentially life threatening effects.

what does clozapine help you with?

It’s the best antipsychotic if you can tolerate it. It comes with some severe side
effect but not every one experience those if they are the lucky ones.

People regularly die because of constipation. I was on it and was very constipated.

It works well for reducing the voices I hear but I have to put up with terrible akathisia every now and then. Be sure to have ativan ready in case this happens.

Die of constipation? Really?

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Yes I saw a story in the online newspaper only a few months ago of someone it happened too

That’s not regularly