FazaClo

FazaClo

Generic Name: clozapine (KLOE za peen)

Brand names: Clozaril, FazaClo Orally-Disintegrating Tablets, Clopine, Clozapine Synthon, Denzapine, Zaponex

What is FazaClo?

FazaClo (clozapine) is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.

Clozapine is used to treat severe schizophrenia. It is also used to reduce the risk of suicidal behavior in people with schizophrenia or similar disorders.

FazaClo is usually given after other medications have been tried without successful treatment of symptoms.

FazaClo may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Important information about FazaClo

FazaClo is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. FazaClo may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions. You should not take FazaClo if you are allergic to clozapine, or if you have untreated or uncontrolled epilepsy, a bone marrow disorder, paralytic ileus or intestinal blockage, a history of infection caused by taking clozapine, or if you are also using drugs that weaken your immune system (such as cancer medicine or steroids). FazaClo can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to develop a serious or life-threatening infection. This risk is higher in women and older adults, and in people who are malnourished or have serious medical problems. While you are taking FazaClo, your blood will need to be tested every week for the first 6 months of treatment, and then every 2 to 4 weeks. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor. Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with FazaClo. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as: fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms, mouth or throat ulcers, cough, sore throat, rapid heart rate, or rapid and shallow breathing.

There are many other medicines that can interact with FazaClo. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

Before taking FazaClo

FazaClo is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. FazaClo may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions. You should not take FazaClo if you are allergic to clozapine, or if you have:

untreated or uncontrolled epilepsy;

a bone marrow disorder;

paralytic ileus or intestinal blockage;

a history of infection caused by taking clozapine; or

if you are also using drugs that weaken your immune system (such as cancer medicine or steroids).

If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a FazaClo dose adjustment or special tests:

heart disease, heart rhythm disorder, high blood pressure;

history of heart attack or stroke;

epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

lung disease;

liver or kidney disease;

diabetes;

a history of bone marrow or blood cell disorders;

an enlarged prostate or urination problems;

glaucoma; or

if you smoke.

FDA pregnancy category B. FazaClo is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Clozapine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking FazaClo.

See also: Fazaclo pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

FazaClo orally-disintegrating tablets contain phenylalanine. Talk to your doctor before using FazaClo if you have phenylketonuria (PKU).

How should I take FazaClo?

Take FazaClo exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

FazaClo can be taken with or without food.

FazaClo orally-disintegrating tablets can be taken without water. Keep the FazaClo tablet in its blister pack until you are ready to take it. Gently peel back the foil from the blister pack and drop the tablet onto your dry hand. Place the tablet in your mouth. It will begin to dissolve right away. Do not swallow the tablet whole. Allow it to dissolve in your mouth without chewing. Swallow several times as the tablet dissolves. If desired, you may drink liquid to help swallow the dissolved tablet.

If your doctor has prescribed one-half of a FazaClo orally-disintegrating tablet, you will need to break the tablet in half. Throw the other half away. Do not save it for later use.

FazaClo can lower blood cells that help your body fight infections. This can make it easier for you to develop a serious or life-threatening infection. This risk is higher in women and older adults, and in people who are malnourished or have serious medical problems. While you are taking FazaClo, your blood will need to be tested every week for the first 6 months of treatment, and then every 2 to 4 weeks. Your doctor may also want to check your blood for several weeks after you stop using FazaClo. Do not miss any follow-up visits to your doctor. If you stop taking FazaClo for more than 2 days in a row, call your doctor before you start taking it again. If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using FazaClo.

Store FazaClo at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

See also: Fazaclo dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, confusion, fast heart rate, drooling, weak or shallow breathing, fainting, and seizure (convulsions).

What should I avoid while taking FazaClo?

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall. FazaClo may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of FazaClo.

FazaClo side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to FazaClo: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Serious and sometimes fatal infections may occur during treatment with FazaClo. Call your doctor right away if you have signs of infection such as:

fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

mouth and throat ulcers;

cough, sore throat;

rapid heart rate; or

rapid and shallow breathing.

Stop using FazaClo and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

seizure (black-out or convulsions);

skin rash, bruising, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;

fast or pounding heartbeats, chest pain, unusual tiredness, trouble breathing;

feeling short of breath (even at night or with mild exertion), swelling in your hands or feet;

feeling like you might pass out;

slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop);

high blood sugar (increased thirst, extreme hunger, fruity breath odor, increased urination, drowsiness);

very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors;

twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs; or

nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, and jaundice (yellowing of your skin or eyes).

Less serious FazaClo side effects may include:

constipation;

dry mouth, blurred vision;

drooling, especially at night;

increased sweating;

drowsiness, dizziness, spinning sensation; or

sleep problems.

This is not a complete list of FazaClo side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: Fazaclo side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect FazaClo?

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

any other antipsychotic medication;

bosentan (Tracleer);

cimetidine (Tagamet);

dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol);

lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);

St. John's wort;

armodafanil (Nuvigil) or modafanil (Progivil);

atropine (Donnatal, and others), belladonna, clidinium (Quarzan), dicyclomine (Bentyl), scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);

an antibiotic such as ciprofloxacin (Cipro) erythromycin (E-Mycin, E.E.S, Ery-Tab), rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin (Rifadin, Rifater, Rifamate), or rifapentine (Priftin);

an antidepressant such as citalopram (Celexa), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), or sertraline (Zoloft);

diazepam (Valium) or similar medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), clonazepam (Klonopin), lorazepam (Ativan), midazolam (Versed), temazepam (Restoril), and others;

heart rhythm medications such as propafenone (Rythmol), flecaininde (Tambocor), or quinidine (Quin-G);

HIV medication such as efavirenz (Sustiva), etravirine (Intelence), nevirapine (Viramune), or ritonavir (Norvir, Kaletra);

phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), promethazine (Pentazine, Phenergan, Anergan, Antinaus), and others; or

seizure medication such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Tegretol), felbamate (Felbatol), oxcarbazepine (Trileptal), phenobarbital (Solfoton), phenytoin (Dilantin), or primidone (Mysoline).

This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can interact with FazaClo. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

More Fazaclo resources

Fazaclo Side Effects (in More Detail)

Fazaclo Dosage

Fazaclo Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding

Fazaclo Drug Interactions

Fazaclo Support Group

0 Reviews for Fazaclo - Add your own review/rating

Clozapine Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)

Clozapine Prescribing Information (FDA)

Clozapine MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

Clozapine Monograph (AHFS DI)

Clozaril Prescribing Information (FDA)

FazaClo Prescribing Information (FDA)

FazaClo Orally Disintegrating Tablets MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)

FazaClo Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information

Compare Fazaclo with other medications

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Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist can provide more information about FazaClo.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.