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Clozaril Side Effects

Clozaril is a prescription medication used to treat schizophrenia. Despite its effectiveness, Clozaril has the potential to cause side effects in some patients.

  1. Significance

    • According to clinical studies published by the Food and Drug Administration on RxList.com, 16 percent of participants in clinical studies discontinued use of Clozaril due to its side effects.

    Types of Common Side Effects

    • Common side effects of Clozaril include sour stomach, belching, vertigo, heartburn, spinning sensations, headaches, tremors, constipation, rapid heartbeat, increased salivation, sleepiness and insomnia.

    Risks

    • Some patients develop agranulocytosis or a shortage of certain white blood cells, putting them at risk for developing bacterial, viral and fungal infections while taking Clozaril. Inflammation of the heart or seizures also occur in some patients.

    Warning

    • While taking Clozaril, it is possible to develop an irreversible condition known as tardive dyskinesia. This condition causes involuntary movements of the face, including grimacing, sticking out your tongue and repetitive chewing.

    Considerations

    • Clozaril usage frequently causes death when given to patients over the age of 65 for the treatment of dementia. Rarely, diabetics using Clozaril develop potentially fatal bouts of hyperglycemia or high blood sugar.

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