Clozapine: Uses, Side Effects & Brands in Pakistan

Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. It is a prescription medicine used for treatment-resistant schizophrenia and psychosis in Parkinson's disease. In Pakistan it is available as tablets, made by 5 different manufacturers. On this page you can read how it works, its common side effects and precautions, and compare the brands and prices available at Medimart.

How Clozapine works

Clozapine blocks several chemical messengers in the brain, including dopamine and serotonin, which helps rebalance the brain signalling involved in psychosis. It acts only weakly on the dopamine receptors linked to movement, so stiffness and tremor are less common than with older antipsychotics.

What is Clozapine used for?

• Treatment-resistant schizophrenia and psychosis in Parkinson's disease

Clozapine is used for schizophrenia when at least two other antipsychotic medicines have not worked well enough or have caused side effects that could not be tolerated. It can reduce hallucinations, delusions and disordered thinking, and lowers the risk of suicidal behaviour in schizophrenia. It is also used for psychosis in Parkinson's disease. Because of its risks, it is started and monitored by a specialist.

Side effects of Clozapine

Clozapine is effective but has a number of side effects, and common ones with Clozapine include:

• Drowsiness
• Excess saliva or drooling, especially at night
• Constipation
• Weight gain
• Dizziness on standing
• Fast heartbeat

Contact your doctor immediately if you have a fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers or flu-like symptoms, as these may mean your white cells are low. Seek urgent help for severe constipation or stomach pain, chest pain, breathlessness, a racing heartbeat or a fit.

Precautions and warnings

• Regular blood tests are mandatory throughout treatment to check your white blood cell count, and the medicine is only supplied while the results are safe.
• Constipation can become serious, so tell your doctor early if you are not opening your bowels regularly.
• Smoking changes the level of clozapine in the blood, so tell your doctor if you start or stop smoking.
• Do not stop it suddenly or miss several days without telling your doctor, as it may need to be restarted at a low dose.
• Avoid alcohol, do not drive until you know how it affects you, and tell your doctor about all other medicines, especially those that affect the blood or heart rhythm.

Frequently asked questions about Clozapine

What is the price of Clozapine in Pakistan?

At Medimart, Clozapine products currently in stock range from Rs 676 to Rs 4,115 per pack, depending on the brand, strength and pack size. The lowest-priced option right now is Clozaril 25 mg Tablet at Rs 676. Prices are updated regularly, so the product list on this page always shows the latest price.

Which brands of Clozapine are available in Pakistan?

Clozapine is sold in Pakistan under brand names such as Clozaril (Ali Gohar Pharmaceuticals Ltd), Glipin (Glitz Pharma), Zipix (Shrooq Pharmaceuticals Ltd), Amlepo (Amarant Caraway Pharmaceutical) and Saveril (Genetics Pharmaceuticals).

Do I need a prescription for Clozapine?

Yes. Clozapine is a prescription medicine in Pakistan. Use it only when a doctor has prescribed it, at the dose and for the time they advise.

Are all Clozapine brands the same?

Brands that contain the same amount of Clozapine in the same form are expected to work in the same way, although inactive ingredients, pack sizes and prices differ. Ask your doctor or pharmacist before switching from one brand to another.

Clozapine brands and prices in Pakistan

Medimart lists 6 products containing Clozapine from different manufacturers. Compare strengths, pack sizes and prices below and order online with cash on delivery.

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