Clozapine Research Papers
Drug Name: Clozapine (Brand name Clozaril)
Medication Class: Anti-psychotic, atypical, second generation.
History of Use:
Clozapine was used in Europe first in the early 1970s to treat schizophrenia. It was withdrawn in 1975 when it was shown to cause a dangerous drop in white blood cells (agranulocytosis). It was later approved for limited use in the United States (1989), specifically for treatment-resistant Schizophrenia, as long as weekly blood tests were monitored for low white cell counts. Further FDA approvals came in 2002, as it was shown to be effective in lower the risk of suicide for those in high risk categories.
As a result, Clozapine is generally used where other medications have failed. Several newer atypicals have been released …show more content…
• Ideally, the next generation of drugs (some of which are already in use) will remove the most egregious side-effects.
Known Contraindications:
• Clozapine should not be prescribed if there is a history of sensitivity to the drug, epilepsy that is not well controlled, certain blood disorders (myeloproliferative), paralytic ileus (intestinal blockage caused by nerve and muscle malfunction), or a history agranulocytosis.
• Clozapine is not advised if a patient is suffering from a comatose state or depression of the central nervous system.
• It should not be used in conjunction with other drugs which can impact some of the same mechanisms, such as lowering white blood cell count (retrieved from http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/019758s062lbl.pdf)
Age/gender/cultural concerns:
• While animal studies were negative for effects on pregnant animals, caution should be taken when considering prescribing to pregnant mothers.
• Clozapine may be excreted in breast milk, so women using this drug should not breast-feed.
• Clozapine has not been tested for use with children.
Feedback from prescribers and
Medication Class: Anti-psychotic, atypical, second generation.
History of Use:
Clozapine was used in Europe first in the early 1970s to treat schizophrenia. It was withdrawn in 1975 when it was shown to cause a dangerous drop in white blood cells (agranulocytosis). It was later approved for limited use in the United States (1989), specifically for treatment-resistant Schizophrenia, as long as weekly blood tests were monitored for low white cell counts. Further FDA approvals came in 2002, as it was shown to be effective in lower the risk of suicide for those in high risk categories.
As a result, Clozapine is generally used where other medications have failed. Several newer atypicals have been released …show more content…
• Ideally, the next generation of drugs (some of which are already in use) will remove the most egregious side-effects.
Known Contraindications:
• Clozapine should not be prescribed if there is a history of sensitivity to the drug, epilepsy that is not well controlled, certain blood disorders (myeloproliferative), paralytic ileus (intestinal blockage caused by nerve and muscle malfunction), or a history agranulocytosis.
• Clozapine is not advised if a patient is suffering from a comatose state or depression of the central nervous system.
• It should not be used in conjunction with other drugs which can impact some of the same mechanisms, such as lowering white blood cell count (retrieved from http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/drugsatfda_docs/label/2010/019758s062lbl.pdf)
Age/gender/cultural concerns:
• While animal studies were negative for effects on pregnant animals, caution should be taken when considering prescribing to pregnant mothers.
• Clozapine may be excreted in breast milk, so women using this drug should not breast-feed.
• Clozapine has not been tested for use with children.
Feedback from prescribers and