Clozaril is prescribed to patients with schizophrenia, which is a brain disorder. Clozaril can help reduce the risk of suicide in these patients as well as some of the symptoms of schizophrenia, which include mood swings, speaking problems, social withdrawal, decreased movement and an inability to feel pleasure. These are called “negative symptoms” of schizophrenia.
Positive symptoms include delusional thinking and hearing and seeing things that are only in the imagination.
Schizophrenia is caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals, particularly dopamine and seratonin, although researchers are not certain why these chemicals become imbalanced. Some believe it is a combination of in utero exposure to viruses, malnutrition or birth complications. Schizophrenia usually starts during one’s teen years or in early adulthood.
Clozaril can cause a number of harmful side effects, including:
- seizure
- fatal blood disorder called agranulocytosis. Patients must be tested for this frequently.
- high blood pressure
- heart attack
- worsening glucose control for diabetic patients
- fatal myocarditis, which is a disorder in which the heart muscle becomes inflamed and weakened
Clozaril can also be used to treat schizoaffective disorder, which is very similar to schizophrenia. Schizoaffective disorder is a combination of psychotic symptoms like hallucinations, with mood disorder symptoms, like depression and manic tendencies.
If you are taking Clozaril and experience chest pain, nausea, fever, headache, drowsiness or other symptoms, consult your doctor. If you are injured because of Clozaril, contact a personal injury attorney.
Tags: bipolar disorder, brain disorder, clozaril, schizophrenia