Here is a detailed overview of Clozapine Tablet 25 mg, without brand references:
💊 Clozapine Tablet 25 mg
✅ DESCRIPTION
Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic primarily used in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia or those who experience suicidal behavior associated with psychotic disorders. It has a unique efficacy but requires close monitoring due to potential serious side effects.
🧪 FORMULATION
- Active Ingredient: Clozapine 25 mg
- Dosage Form: Tablet (oral)
- Route of Administration: Oral
- Packaging: Typically in blister packs or strips
🌿 NATURE
- Drug Class: Atypical antipsychotic (Dibenzodiazepine derivative)
- Mechanism of Action:
- Antagonist at dopamine D2, serotonin 5-HT2A, histamine H1, alpha-adrenergic, and muscarinic receptors
- Reduces positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia
💊 USES
- Treatment-resistant schizophrenia (after failure of ≥2 other antipsychotics)
- Recurrent suicidal behavior in schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder
- May also be used off-label in bipolar disorder and psychosis in Parkinson’s disease
🌟 ADVANTAGES
- Superior efficacy in resistant schizophrenia
- Lower risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (e.g., tremors, rigidity)
- Improves negative symptoms (withdrawal, lack of motivation)
- Reduces suicidal tendencies
⚠️ PRECAUTIONS
❗ Boxed Warnings:
- Agranulocytosis (life-threatening low white blood cell count)
- Seizures
- Myocarditis (inflammation of heart muscle)
- Orthostatic hypotension, bradycardia
- Severe constipation or ileus
💢 Common Side Effects:
- Drowsiness
- Salivation (drooling)
- Weight gain
- Dizziness
- Constipation
🔍 Monitoring Required:
- Complete Blood Count (CBC): Mandatory before starting and regularly during therapy
- Weekly for first 6 months
- Biweekly next 6 months
- Monthly thereafter
- ECG: If cardiac issues suspected
- Blood pressure, weight, glucose, lipids: Regular checks
🚫 Contraindications:
- History of agranulocytosis
- Uncontrolled epilepsy
- Severe cardiac or liver disease
- Paralytic ileus
📋 DOSING GUIDELINE (Psychiatric Use)
| Phase | Dose |
|---|---|
| Initial | 12.5 mg once or twice on day 1 |
| Titration | Increase by 25–50 mg/day as tolerated |
| Maintenance | 300–450 mg/day in divided doses |
| Maximum | Usually ≤900 mg/day (with caution) |
Must be titrated slowly due to risk of hypotension and seizures.
🧊 STORAGE
- Store at 20–25°C (room temperature)
- Protect from light, moisture, and heat
- Keep tablets in original blister until use
- Keep away from children
- Handle with caution (caregiver must avoid skin contact if possible)