Can I Take Clozpine ?

Posted on Thu, 21 May 2020

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 21 May 2020 Answered on

Mon, 13 Oct 2025 Last reviewed on

Question : take clozpine

Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (-10 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Please ask your question

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for using Ask A Doctor.

I read your query and understand your concerns about taking Clozapine.

You are requested to ask your questions pertaining to Clozapine or any related matter.

I will be glad to answer you.

Thanks and regards.
Dr Ashok Kumar
Consultant Psychiatrist.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (11 hours later)

yes. how long could a person take clozpine maximually? clozpine itself, i have taken it about 7 years with 100mg. it keeps me sleeping well and feels good. but with alot side effect. sometimes my heart pumps faster during walking and scary. I really want to withdraw it. i think abilify or geodon is better because of less side effect. i feel i have heart problem when i walk or sometimes just feel my heart beating too fast. i take gabapentin to have better sleep, but bleeding on foot and pale face. i know gabapentin uses side effect to have better sleep. do you have any other medication that helps sleep better? how do i withdraw the clozpine? thanks

Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (8 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Clozapine can be used for life

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.

Clozapine is a medication with best track record in regard to efficacy but poor track record in terms of side effects. It is true that Clozapine have many side effects and thats why it is reserved for resistant cases.

The clozapine is only prescribed when two of other antipsychotics failed to yield the results in schizophrenia and related disorders.

In regard to your question about Clozapine I like to state that with proper monitoring and supervision Clozapine can be used for life provided there are no intolerable side effects.

In regard to your feeling that heart pumps faster during walking, I like to inform you that this is normal physiological phenomenon and unlikely to be related with Clozapine.

However tachycardia (increased heart rate) is common side effect with Clozapine and can be countered with use of b-blocker medications such as propranolol or atenolol.

In regard to sleep medication I feel there is no medicine which is better. I mean to say that every medication have their own pros and cons and we need to select medication as per the needs of individual.

I often start with OTC medications for sleep which include Melatonin, Chlorphenirmaine, Promethazine. In case they are not effective we can think of using prescription medications.

I also like to acknowledge that yes Abilify is the best medications among antipsychotics when it considered in view of side effects. In case this was tried in past you can discuss with your psychiatrist for a fair trial.

I hope this answers you further.
Thanks and regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (3 hours later)

is clozpine counter with metropolo, menas they have conflicts?

Answered by Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (8 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Both alter blood pressure

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for follow up.

Both metoprolol and clozapine alter the blood pressure. However propranolol only decreases blood pressure but clozapine can cause both decrease as well as increased blood pressure.

In addition to this there are no serious interactions between metoprolol and clozapine.

I hope this answers you further.

Thanks and regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Ashok Kumar Choudhary (9 minutes later)

metropolo is to reduce heart rate , metropolo is conflict with clozpine. propranolol or atenolol is same as metropoplo?