Precautions and Warnings With Clozapine

There are several precautions and warnings with clozapine to be aware of before taking it. These include the risk of developing a life-threatening condition involving very low levels of white blood cells, the danger of developing a life-threatening inflammation of the heart, and the potential risk of seizures. Precautions and warnings with clozapine also extend to those who have uncontrolled epilepsy or an intestinal blockage.

Clozapine Drug Information

Clozapine: What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider?

You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking clozapine (Clozaril^®, FazaClo^®) if you have:

Diabetes
Seizures
Epilepsy
An irregular heart rhythm (arrhythmia)
Bone marrow problems or low blood cell counts
Liver disease, including liver failure or cirrhosis
Glaucoma
An enlarged prostate
Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia
Low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension)
An upcoming surgery
Heart disease, congestive heart failure (CHF), or other heart problems
Any allergies, including allergies to food, dyes, or preservatives.

Also let your healthcare provider know if you:

Are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant
Are breastfeeding
Drink alcohol.

You should also be sure to tell your healthcare provider about all of the medicines you take, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

(Precautions and Warnings With Clozapine Continued: Page 2)