Clozapine (Oral Route)

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Proper Use

Take this medicine exactly as directed. Do not take more of it and do not take it more often than your doctor ordered. Do not miss any doses.

This medicine has been prescribed for your current medical condition only. It must not be given to other people or used for other conditions. Talk to your doctor if you have questions.

Take the tablets with or without food.

If you are using the disintegrating tablet, make sure your hands are dry before you handle the tablet. Do not open the blister pack that contains the tablet until you are ready to take it. Remove the tablet from the blister pack by peeling back the foil, then taking the tablet out. Do not push the tablet through the foil. Place the tablet in your mouth. It should melt quickly. After the tablet has melted, swallow or chew it as desired.

Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medicine to help avoid constipation.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage forms (disintegrating tablets or tablets):
  • For schizophrenia:
    • Adults—At first, 12.5 milligrams (mg) once or two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 900 mg per day.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For prevention of risk of suicidal behavior from occurring again in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder:
    • Adults—At first, 12.5 milligrams (mg) once or two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed and tolerated. However, the dose is usually not more than 900 mg per day.
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

If you miss 2 or more days of clozapine doses, talk to your doctor before you start taking it again. You may need to restart this medicine at a lower dose than you were taking before.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

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