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Member
Member Since Oct 2009
Location: Ohio
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Jun 11, 2018 at 12:07 PM
#1
I have just been prescribed clozapine (clozaril), I would like to know if anyone has or is taking this med? Just to touch base with someone and their experiences.
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Wise Elder
Member Since Apr 2015
Location: US
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Jun 13, 2018 at 07:22 PM
#2
I've been on it for 2 years. It has been a very, very good drug for me. I've been closer to stable than ever before in my life and am nearly a year out from my last major episode, something I'd never come near before.
I did gain weight on it but have lost 25 lbs in the last 9 months so it is possible. My family dr prescribed metformin for me and that seems to have helped with not gaining weight if not the weight loss. I wear incontinence pads at night because sometimes I sleep so soundly I don't wake in time to make it to the bathroom. I drool at night but just use a lot of pillows and pillow cases so they stay clean. So nothing unmanageable although I was nervous about all of it at first. If you have specific questions I can try to answer them. __________________ Bipolar 1, PTSD, GAD, OCD. Clozapine 250 mg, Emsam 12 mg/day patch, topamax 25 mg, ,Gabapentin 1700 mg & 100-2 PRN,. 1.5 mg clonazepam., 50 mg Seroquel |
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 AspiringAuthor
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Member
Member Since Oct 2009
Location: Ohio
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Jun 14, 2018 at 06:38 AM
#3
Thank you so much for your response. I am glad you are doing well on the clozari with minimal side effects, that gives me hope!. How often are you required to get blood work? My Dr. said we start at every week and then another 7 day supply but the pharmacy gave me a 30 day supply. I think I hit pay dirt:-).
Thank you again for your response! |
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Wise Elder
Member Since Apr 2015
Location: US
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Jun 14, 2018 at 12:16 PM
#4
I get labs monthly now. 6 months of weekly, 6 months every other week and monthly after that.
My pharmacy always gave me an illegal monthly script too. I never complained; it saved me a lot of money. The only problem I've had was that they didn't send my labs to the registry for about 4 months this fall and I was notified if this wasn't corrected immediately I'd be cut off. My pdoc just sent it to the registry along with the pharmacy and I think sends to both to be safe now. __________________ Bipolar 1, PTSD, GAD, OCD. Clozapine 250 mg, Emsam 12 mg/day patch, topamax 25 mg, ,Gabapentin 1700 mg & 100-2 PRN,. 1.5 mg clonazepam., 50 mg Seroquel |
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Veteran Member
Member Since Oct 2017
Location: Mountain View
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Jun 16, 2018 at 05:57 PM
#5
I an starting on it. Right now I am taking 12.5 mg in the morning and 25 mg at night. Last night I slept for 14 hours. We are going to let my body adjust to the sedation and then titrate up. I feel a tad sad, but not depressed. It clearly has strong antimanic properties, which is what is needed here.
__________________ Bipolar I w/Psychotic features Zyprexa Zydis 5 mg Gabapentin 1200 mg Melatonin 10 mg Levoxyl 75 mcg (because I took Lithium in the past) past medications: Depakote, Lamictal, Lithium, Seroquel, Trazodone, Risperdal, Cogentin, Remerol, Prozac, Amitriptyline, Ambien, Lorazepam, Klonopin, Saphris, Trileptal, Clozapine and Clozapine+Wellbutrin, Topamax |
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Member
Member Since Oct 2009
Location: Ohio
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Jun 17, 2018 at 09:35 AM
#6
I took my total dose (75 Mg) last night and man is it sedating. I got up last night to go to the bathroom and was so sedated that I fell head first into the door. I took 100mg of seroquel at night previously and never had anything like that happen.
Getting up in the morning (8:00 am) was not that bad, but tomorrow I have to get up at 7:00 am for work and that could be an issue:-). Oh well, if it helps the suicidal thoughts/actions then any side effect will be worth it.....well maybe not weight gain.  Thank you all for your responses they help a lot. |
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Wise Elder
Member Since Apr 2015
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Jun 17, 2018 at 06:39 PM
#7
Yeah, walking around at night is challenging. I've learned to fumble around bouncing off walls and have a night light in the bathroom. The sedation will improve but depending on dose you'll still have it. On 350 mg I sleep a lot and am pretty groggy if don't get quite a bit of sleep. I don't drive until 11 AM to be safe. However I still need additional sedation to sleep so there's that. Hopefully in the fall I can reduce some meds. I get manic in the summer if we mess with doses.
It's supposed to be extremely effective at helping suicidal thoughts. It has been for me, once my dose was high enough (I'm thinkig 250? 300?). That dose of course will vary with the person __________________ Bipolar 1, PTSD, GAD, OCD. Clozapine 250 mg, Emsam 12 mg/day patch, topamax 25 mg, ,Gabapentin 1700 mg & 100-2 PRN,. 1.5 mg clonazepam., 50 mg Seroquel |
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Member
Member Since Mar 2018
Location: California
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Jun 18, 2018 at 10:15 PM
#8
Hello
I also take Clozaril I've been taking it for about a month now, it's not bad, I haven't had a lot of side effects other than drooling at night. I'm still getting my blood drawn weekly.  But other than that, the voices have been a lot quieter. I'm diagnosed with schizophrenia |
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 AspiringAuthor
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AspiringAuthor
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Magnate
Member Since Aug 2017
Location: earth
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Jun 19, 2018 at 06:43 AM
#9
I took it for about a month but stopped because getting my blood drawn frequently was a hassle. Clozaril worked well but I was not happy about waiting to get my blood drawn while I was a student in college. I thought I could be doing something else than be in the clinic waiting. I also thought Zyprexa worked well too but made me orca fat. Thus, I stopped this too. I am now on Abilify and am having a roller coaster ride with my weight. I don't plan to stop Abilify because I've been on it for almost five years continuously and before this off and on for five years. It works well for me while I'm on it but it is not totally effective. I still become hypomanic and depressed while on it. But, the frequency of getting hypomanic and depressed has decreased. All in all- No medication has been ideal for me. Best wishes with clozapine!
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Veteran Member
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Location: Mountain View
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Jun 19, 2018 at 11:00 PM
#10
Quote:
Also, look up SYNCOPE. __________________ Bipolar I w/Psychotic features Zyprexa Zydis 5 mg Gabapentin 1200 mg Melatonin 10 mg Levoxyl 75 mcg (because I took Lithium in the past) past medications: Depakote, Lamictal, Lithium, Seroquel, Trazodone, Risperdal, Cogentin, Remerol, Prozac, Amitriptyline, Ambien, Lorazepam, Klonopin, Saphris, Trileptal, Clozapine and Clozapine+Wellbutrin, Topamax |
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