Clozapine and Constipation: What Users Say

• Art...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 22, 2022

For Schizophrenia "I went on clozapine 3 years ago. Almost immediately, my head became quiet. Clozapine has different qualities other than anti-psychosis, including anti-anxiety and mood stabilizing properties. Weight gain is a big side effect, along with drooling (sialorrhea) and constipation. Constipation is more common than its life-threatening side effect, agranulocytosis. Colace eases constipation. I read that if clozapine is put in a Petri dish with abnormal neurons that are misfiring, it reconfigures the neurons and the firing is back to normal, so it clearly has healing effects on your brain. My cognitive symptoms and thought disorder are practically gone, and I read books all of the time. When I was first diagnosed, I lost the ability to read, and now I have gained back that ability."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 20, 2020

For Borderline Personality Disorder "My condition is TBD. Doctors have said Bipolar 1, others have said Primary Akathisia. I've been on Clozapine for 11 years and take 100 mg/night. I was prescribed this after trying numerous medications. My symptoms are constant physical restlessness, insomnia, manic episodes, and racing thoughts. Untreated, the physical restlessness is almost unbearable. I tried Lithium, Seroquel, Geodon, Trazodone, Lamictal, Zyprexa, Propranolol, and Gabapentin. Finally, in the hospital, I was given Clozapine. I hadn't slept in 3 days and was able to sleep. They titrated me up to 100 mg, and I was discharged. For me, side effects include high heart rate, severe constipation, body aches, weight gain, and extreme thirst. I'm still taking 100 mg of Clozapine. This medicine has saved my life. I can sleep, sit (mostly) still, feel calm, and do my job. I'm so glad my doctor thought outside of the box to give me this medicine. Good luck to everyone out there."

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

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."

• CMa...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 8, 2015

For Schizophrenia "I've been on clozapine for four and a half years for schizoaffective disorder. I was on 350 mg but took a seizure, and the dose was lowered to 150 mg. 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 socializing anymore and have gained 3 stone. Looking into changing to the drug Latuda that is new in the U.K."

• res...
• January 26, 2018

For Schizophrenia "My daughter has had schizophrenia since she was 19 years old and had first gone through 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 through 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."

• Jer...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• March 18, 2018

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 your 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-altering drug with 5 black box warnings. Do not start this drug unless you like mind torture."