Clozapine

Clozapine: use, side effects and application features

Clozapine is a drug that belongs to the group of antipsychotics - dibenzodiazepine derivatives. It is used to treat acute and chronic forms of schizophrenia, manic states, manic-depressive psychosis, various psychotic conditions, psychomotor agitation in psychosis, aggression and sleep disorders.

Clozapine is produced in Russia by the company Pharmakon. The drug is available in the form of tablets containing 25 mg or 100 mg of the active substance clozapine.

Contraindications to the use of clozapine include diseases of the hematopoietic system, alcoholic and toxic psychoses, myasthenia gravis, pregnancy and lactation (breastfeeding is excluded).

Clozapine can cause a number of side effects, including muscle weakness, drowsiness, confusion, dry mouth, accommodation paresis, tachycardia, decreased blood pressure, dizziness, flattening of the T wave on the ECG, hyperthermia of central origin, exacerbation of chronic and latent foci of infection, granulocytopenia.

The possibility of clozapine interaction with other drugs should also be considered. It can enhance the effect of sedatives, narcotics, analgesics and hypnotics, alcohol, and also weaken the effect of levodopa. Absorption from the intestine is impaired by concomitant use of antacids and cholestyramine.

In case of an overdose of clozapine, symptoms such as tachycardia, bradycardia, abnormal heart rhythm, hallucinations, restlessness, drowsiness and difficulty breathing may occur. In this case, you must immediately call an ambulance.

Particular attention should be paid to the peculiarities of the use of clozapine. It is used to a limited extent for severe diseases of the liver, kidneys and cardiovascular system, with an increased tendency to seizures, epilepsy, closed-angle glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, intestinal atony, intercurrent diseases with febrile syndrome. During treatment, you should not drive a vehicle or perform work that requires increased attention. Periodic monitoring of the blood picture is necessary - if granulocytopenia occurs, treatment is stopped immediately.

In summary, clozapine is a powerful drug that can help treat a variety of mental disorders, but its use should be limited to doctor's prescription only. When using clozapine, it is necessary to take into account all contraindications and possible side effects, and also monitor its interactions with other drugs. In case of overdose or adverse reactions, you should immediately seek medical help.