Clozapine: -Class -Indication -Dose -Side Effects -Interactions

-Antipsychotic (2nd gen) -Used in schizophrenia in patients unresponsive to or intolerant of conventional antipsychotic drugs -Dose adjustments may be necessary if smoking stopped or started during treamtent (Tobacco is a CYP450 inducer- speeds up metabolism)- increased theophylline toxcitiy (copd) -Missed 48 hrs (condition can detiorate) need to re-titrate dose -Agranulocytosis (specalist monitoring services) -Intestinal obstruction -Constipation -Avoid concomitant use of clozapine with drugs which cause agranulosytosis & constipation