Clozapine User Reviews & Ratings (Page 2)

• Invis
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• January 22, 2019

For Schizophrenia "Posted a review on Olanzapine on 2017-01-12 (2 years ago) on this site w/same name (Invis). Got switched to Clozapine; first dose was Dec 13, 2017; 12.5mg. I am now on 275mg a night. What a life saver, I wish I took this to begin with as I strongly believe voices would be 100% gone by now, anyway, they are pretty much there 5-15% of the time now. Blood tests aren't an issue for me. Used to it now but shoulder area of shirt and pillow are pretty wet in the morning from drooling. Weight is now 200-205 lbs, won't budge even from treadmill fast walking 20 mins/day and pants size is now 38 from 30-32 lol. All of these are small prices to pay for being healthy again. 10/10"

• Flowe...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 3, 2021

Clozaril (clozapine) for Schizophrenia "Clozaril (Clozapine) is the best antipsychotic I’ve ever tried (and I’ve tried many other medications). It lessened my symptoms and now I’m functioning better. I had drooling at night, constipation, sedation. I take Senokot for the constipation, a medication to lessen the drooling (though I don’t use it), and I take the majority of my Clozapine at night to deal with the sedation."

• Rotton...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 13, 2015

For Paranoid Disorder "Tried may meds. But clozapine has turned me around. Now working part time. Involved with community and living/loving my life. Medication is not the only key to recovery though. You cant medicate life. II need to be supported and surrounded by people who are good for me."

• Barbi...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 27, 2020

For Schizophrenia "Well my sister has been on Clozapine for several years now. She is no longer her former self. Completely different personality. Zones out, underproductive, forgetful, and unable to do much for herself. Her life is a shell of what it used to be. Put on so much weight, but above all that, no quality of life. It makes my heart break. No one should lose themselves in the light of mental illness because of a drug. It's not even the schizophrenia that's done this. It's Clozapine. I feel like I've lost her, I miss her. With Clozapine it is like literally sitting there watching someone who has taken valium. Zoning out and forgetful. She doesn't deserve this. At least when she had schizophrenia with no medication yet, she was her self. I want her back!! This drug needs to be lowered or changed, hospital are just leaving her on it after years. It's no life at all."

• True_...
• August 10, 2015

"I am a male aged 48. I was diagnosed with Type I Bipolar Disorder when I was 26. In 2008 it was changed to Schizoaffective Disorder, Bipolar Type. I had been on Depakote from 1994 until 2014. The Depakote caused massive weight gain (I topped out around 240 pounds on it). In April of 2014 the psychiatrists decided to try Clozapine (Clozaril) and discontinued the Depakote. I lost around 70 pounds over 8 months. I now weigh 160 pounds. This is my normal body weight. The Clozapine has been an excellent anti-psychotic and it works very well. Even better than the Depakote. The psychiatrists augmented the Clozaril with Metformin, which studies show can help lead to weight loss. I am as happy as I have ever been on the Clozapine."

• John
• February 19, 2021

For Schizophrenia "I was diagnosed with schizoaffective disorder in 2019 after four psychotic episodes that required hospital care. I tried to fight schizophrenia and depression without medication for two years. I didn't want any medication because I was struggling with terrible unwanted side effects like akathesia. Psychiatrists put me on : Zyprexa, Lithium, Attivan, Abilify, Rexulti, Valium and Invega Sustenna. Like I already said; it took 2 years to find the right medication for me. I've managed to find Clozapine with the help of Drugs.com reviews. My doctor was also aware of Clozapine. We both agreed to try it as a last resort and it saved my life! So far I experienced fatigue, weight gain, drooling, chest pain and altered libido. I also take Lamictal (150 mg) to stabilise my mood and prevent a depression relapse plus many other supplements like Bacopa monnieri. I am now happier than ever, able to work a 40 hours/week job, physically/socially active and able to lose weight."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 9, 2023

For Schizophrenia "My daughter has tried about 7 antipsychotics over 2.5 years. Even taking 2 antipsychotics at a time. Was put on Clozapine and within days I could see a huge difference. Voices are down to barely there. I can’t wait to see what the next couple of weeks bring. Extraordinary Medication."

• Honesty
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 10, 2022

For Schizophrenia "After taking Clozapine couldn't drive, couldn't work, couldn't wake up. Clozapine destroys lives. Before Clozapine the episode would last weeks. After Clozapine an episode would last months. Was told no-one gets off Clozapine. Psychiatrists prescribing Clozapine should be sued."

• Jerio
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 18, 2018

Clozaril (clozapine) "This drug is too dangerous It is too difficult to titrate off and it causes rebound psychosis with a vengeance, along with vomiting and excruciating headaches While on this drug it shuts down the brain and body causing obesity and constipation It is sad to know this drug can be forced onto humans with "no consent" as it really will ruin you life unless you prefer a chemical restraint The blood draws are nearly impossible for people who are not wanting to take this but if you abruptly stop this drug you will feel like you are dying 350 mg was a chemical restraint and our family member lost his whole personality and ability to function at all on this mind alternating drug with 5 black box warning Do not start this drug unless you like mind torture"

• CMac
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 8, 2015

For Schizophrenia "I've been on clozapine for four and a half year for schizoaffective disorder. I was on 350mg but took a seizure and the dose was lowered to 150mg. I feel well mentally but the clozapine has made me very unfit. Also the constipation I suffer has affected my quality of life. I don't feel like socialising any more and have gained 3 stone. Looking into changing to the drug Latuda that is new in the U.K."

• Anxie...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 12, 2020

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I ended up in the hospital for a complete OCD meltdown. I hadn’t slept in days and was totally distraught. The hospital put me on Clozapine 50mg for about 2 weeks because I really needed to calm down while I underwent a med change. At first I was terrified of being on a medication with such a severe reputation. I was utterly shocked at the results however. I calmed down almost immediately and didn’t suffer any weird side effects. My brain didn’t feel any slower or impaired on the dose I was on. I honestly didn’t feel any different other than more mellow. I would equate the feeling to be similar to Xanax. The medication worked so well for sleep that I wanted to stay on it but the doctors ended up switching me to something more tolerable upon discharge."

• Tracy
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 18, 2019

For Paranoid Disorder "My husband has been given a chemical lobotomy. He can't sit still , he bounces and makes faces while watching tv and thats all he does all day. I can't take him anywhere he bugs his eyes out at people and makes monkey faces. How on earth did this questionable drug get approved. He is totally unproductive , slow , forgetful and delusional."

• ceeec...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 15, 2023

Clozaril (clozapine) "My former doctor put me on this and I have been on this for 10-plus years. It hid all my emotions. I could not feel anything, but she insisted it was the only thing I could be on. Since this drug is used primarily for schizophrenia, I was reluctant to take it in the first place. But, I trusted the doctor. I gained over 60 pounds in the first 6 weeks. You have to get monthly bloodwork for the whole duration you are on the drug. It is illegal in some countries. The risks, in my opinion, outway the benefits."

• Shaz
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 3, 2020

For Schizophrenia "clozapine ist the best drug for treating schizophrenia, my daughter able to function better day to day. Only has auditory hallucinations now and again but copes with them a lot better. Mood and concentration so much better too. Would recommend if you have no success on other meds."

• I Wou...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 14, 2016

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I took this medicine for 6 years as a teenager for "bipolar" (which we found out was a misdiagnosis). This medication made me miserable. I felt like I had died and somehow was still walking the Earth. For the first couple of years I became extremely paranoid, which I had never had a problem with before taking the medicine. The depression was still there. As the dose was gradually decreased, I felt a bit better but still had that feeling of dread. You eat everything. You sleep all the time. You don't care about anything. Coming off of the medicine is almost as bad as being on it! I had severe headaches and nausea, and I lost 10 pounds almost instantly. Clozapine has its place, but you should think hard before taking it."

• ABC
• July 15, 2015

For Schizophrenia "Very drowsy during the daytime. Not sure if my antidepressant needs to be changed, but it is still too early to judge how well Clozaril is working. I'd rather not have to draw my blood every week, because there is a lot I could be doing like going overseas with friends and relatives. By the way, does anyone experience bedwetting in the morning?"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 29, 2015

For Paranoid Disorder "My son has been on Clozaril for 3 years. He was dx with Bipolar when he was just 6 years old. He had literally been on every anti-psychotic drug until his 7th hospItal stay, his regular psychiatrist and the hospital's Dr decided to try this medicine. As far as his psychosis it has been a wonder drug. But physically, Clozaril is destroying his body. In the first 6 months, he was dx with asthma. The worst of his problems that developed in the past 9 months has been GI and liver. He now has severe ensephagitis, gastritis, 4 ulcers and NAFLD (fatty liver disease). He has also gained over 50 lbs. Not just teenage pounds. I was also told when he started the Clozaril, it isn't really approved for patients under 18. Too late now."

• resil...
• January 26, 2018

For Schizophrenia "My daughter has schizophrenia since 19 years old and had first gone thru most of the other medications, which did not work well, she even attempted suicide. Finally she was put on Clozapine, which helped her so much that she even managed to graduate with a BA. There are negative side effects such as constipation, weight gain (which she is fighting successfully with Weight Watchers), and her voices do break thru once in a while and some psychosis sometimes. But she is incredibly resilient. All in all, clozapine is to her like a wonder drug. Hopefully better medications will arrive in the future."

• Warri...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 25, 2021

For Borderline Personality Disorder "This has changed the life of my 12 year old son and our family. (he has aggression and psychosis) After 7 1/2 years of changing drug combinations every few months, after trying every antipsychotic, mood stabilizer, antidepressant and supplement, after 3 in-patient hospitalizations in a pediatric psychiatric facility (some lasting for months) we FINALLY have relief. We saw improvement in the first two weeks and we are able to find a maintenance dose within the first month. 5 months later and he continue to improve. Our household was on pins and needles for years - the constant stress, the cycles of violence, and not being able to leave the house. Since this drug my son has successfully navigated an amusement park, goes to school every day (with zero restraints or trips to the calming room) and has even started to exercise. He no longer tries to harm himself or others. We have our son back."

• Anony...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• June 11, 2015

For Schizophrenia "This medication was absolutely terrible. I couldn't think and everyone had to repeat things all the time. Also I extreme weight gain in barely any time. I always wanted to eat something unhealthy when I walked by somewhere and I had never had that before I was on this medication, at least not as badly as that. In the past I had gradual weight gain but this was rapid. It is also bad for the fact that it gave me seizures twice and I ended up breaking my ankles and they put me on Epival which causes birth defects. Hopefully everything will be better though. I'm on Invega now and it already is better and I don't need clozapine even though the doctors were trying to make me believe it was the only medication that works when it isn't."

• JoeRon
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 5, 2017

For Borderline Personality Disorder "I tried every psych medicine on the market and none controlled my bipolar problem until I was prescribed clozapine. This med has given me my life back. I am able to live a balanced, normal life on this med with little to no ill side effects. This med controls my manic, erratic behaviors and I feel stable."

• Ann
• December 6, 2023

For Schizophrenia "In 2 months after starting my son on clozapine, he found a full-time job. It's been 3 months already. So far, so good. Before, he couldn't keep a job for more than 2-4 days. Always been fired. When he was on olanzapine, he had no motivation at all. What a miracle drug! Weekly blood checks are worth it. No akathisia anymore. He listens to music again. We are so happy!"

• Brandon...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 10, 2018

For Schizophrenia "Clozapine has given me my life back. Much of the problems or symptoms of my Schizophrenia are reduced. The only down side has been urinary incontinence. I am now back to wearing diapers just in case, but it is a minor price to pay in order to get my life and head space back."

• His...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2022

For Schizophrenia "Miracle drug. No discernible side effects but also on metformin prophylactically Spent 10 years trying everything else through high school and college. Went from monthly hospitalization, suicide attempt, hallucinations, command voices to next-to-normal contentment and full time job for first time."

• Wowdrug
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 7, 2021

For Schizophrenia "I have tried many antipsychotics with little results for my symptoms improving. Loxapine was one that worked for me and I was on it for about a year. I figured I'd try clozapine because I heard it's the best one. After spending 3 months in the psyche ward to try clozapine, I really must say, it worked almost like magic. Within a few weeks I was feeling much better. By the end of the 3 months in hospital my voices were very quiet and in the background. It improved my sleep and even helped my delusions and anxiety/paranoia a bit. I am very happy to say, my schizophrenia is much better and easier to deal with."