clozapine
an atypical ANTIPSYCHOTIC drug used in the treatment of schizophrenia and other disorders in patients who are unresponsive to conventional antipsychotics. Administered by mouth, it is notable for the absence of tremors and repetitive movements that are associated with other antipsychotic drugs. Side-effects include dizziness, headache, and increased salivation, and in a few cases the drug may depress levels of white blood cells.
Clozapine is used to treat schizophrenia (a mental illness that affects how a person thinks, feels or behaves) in certain people. Clozapine is in a class of medications called atypical antipsychotics. It works by changing the activity of certain natural substances in the brain.
Full drug information on MedlinePlus →This is general information, not medical advice. Pregnancy and breastfeeding decisions should always be made with your healthcare provider.
Can taking clozapine affect fertility or make it harder to get pregnant?
Studies have not been done to determine whether clozapine makes it harder to get pregnant. If you have concerns about fertility while taking clozapine, this is something to discuss with your healthcare provider.
Does taking clozapine increase the risk of miscarriage?
Miscarriage can occur in any pregnancy for many reasons. Information from 3 studies looking at approximately 225 pregnancies exposed to clozapine does not suggest an increased chance for miscarriage. Any specific concerns should be reviewed with your healthcare provider.
Does taking clozapine increase the risk of birth defects?
The background risk for birth defects in any pregnancy is about 3 out of 100. No large, controlled study has answered this question for clozapine, though one review combining studies reported a birth defect rate of 4.5% among 264 infants with first-trimester exposure, similar to the background risk, and no specific pattern of birth defects has been identified. Decisions about clozapine in pregnancy should be made together with your healthcare provider.
Can taking clozapine during pregnancy cause other pregnancy-related complications?
It is not known whether clozapine causes problems such as preterm delivery or low birth weight, and one study of 187 exposed children did not find differences in birth weight or gestational age. Some studies have suggested an increased chance of gestational diabetes when clozapine is used in pregnancy. Newborns exposed in late pregnancy can have temporary symptoms (sometimes called withdrawal), such as changes in muscle tone, sleepiness, agitation, feeding or breathing problems, or tremors, so your baby's care team should be informed. Talk with your healthcare provider about monitoring and screening recommendations.
Can taking clozapine during pregnancy affect the child's brain development, learning, or behavior?
It is not known whether clozapine increases the chance of behavior or learning issues. One study comparing infants exposed to clozapine with infants exposed to other antipsychotics found some behavioral delays at 2 and 6 months of age, but the difference was no longer noticed by 1 year of age. Your healthcare provider can discuss what this may mean for your situation.
Is it safe to breastfeed while taking clozapine?
Information about clozapine during breastfeeding is very limited; some resources suggest it is concentrated in breastmilk. Drowsiness was reported in one exposed infant and agranulocytosis (a serious blood disorder) in another, while other breastfed infants had no side effects; the product label recommends not using clozapine while breastfeeding, though in some situations the benefits may outweigh the possible risks. If breastfeeding while taking clozapine, infants should be closely watched for drowsiness and have white blood cell counts checked—your healthcare provider can help you weigh what is best for you and your baby.
Source: National Library of Medicine
clozapine