Clozapine (Systemic)

Brand Names : Clozaril, Leponex

Side Effects of This Medicine

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Some side effects may not have signs or symptoms that you can see or feel. Clozapine can cause some very serious blood problems. Your doctor will watch for these by doing blood tests every week or two for as long as you are taking clozapine and for 4 weeks after you stop taking it. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Fast or irregular heartbeat; fever; low blood pressure

Less common

High blood pressure (severe or continuing headache)

Rare

Chest pain or discomfort; chills; convulsions (seizures); cough; difficult or fast breathing or sudden shortness of breath; fainting; increased sweating; loss of bladder control; muscle stiffness (severe); sore throat; sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth; swelling or pain in leg; trouble breathing; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusually pale skin

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

Dizziness, especially when getting up from a lying or sitting position

Less common

Blurred vision; confusion; restlessness or need to keep moving; unusual anxiety, nervousness, or irritability

Rare

Absence of or decrease in movement; decreased sexual ability; high blood sugar (increased appetite, increased thirst, increased urination, weakness); lip smacking or puckering; liver problems (dark urine, decreased appetite, nausea, vomiting, yellow eyes or skin); mental depression; puffing of cheeks; rapid or worm-like movements of tongue; trembling or shaking; trouble in sleeping; trouble in urinating; uncontrolled chewing movements; uncontrolled movements of arms and legs

Symptoms of overdose

Convulsions (seizures); dizziness or fainting; drowsiness (severe) or coma; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there); increased watering of mouth (severe); slow, irregular, or troubled breathing; unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness

Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:

More common

Constipation; dizziness or lightheadedness (mild); drowsiness; headache (mild); increased watering of mouth; nausea or vomiting; unusual weight gain

Less common

Abdominal discomfort or heartburn; dryness of mouth

Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.