Clozapine for Schizophrenia User Reviews (Page 2)

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

"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."

• John
• February 19, 2021

"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

"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

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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."

• ABC
• July 15, 2015

"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?"

• resil...
• January 26, 2018

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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."

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

"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."

• Ann
• December 6, 2023

"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!"

• A Fri...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 28, 2021

"Avoid taking it with alcohol, causes extreme drowsiness, trouble breathing, spinning head, unresponsiveness to the point the person could not call an ambulance himself if he was alone. This drug has serious side effects."

• Livin...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• June 22, 2022

"I have been on so many medications and misdiagnosed since I was 17 am now 50... finally after much hesitation was put on Clozaril. A Miracle Drug I sleep, voices seem in the background and am able to have my windows and door open in my home! It worked almost instantly I wish I knew about this sooner I think my life would have turned out different! I now am enjoying life. Only side effect is nighttime incontinence. Such a little price for having a life! On 50mg during the day and 300mg at night."

• Kira
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2023

"For me, clozapine 300 mg is a lifesaver. Well, it took 3 months for the onset of action of clozapine, so don't lose hope early. Give this drug a full try. I am sure it will benefit you. I have attempted suicide 6-7 times and been admitted to the hospital. I have visited Nimhans twice and changed doctors more than 10 times. I have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, OCD, borderline personality disorder, social anxiety, ruminations, bipolar disorder, and restless leg syndrome for 7 and a half years. I have taken more than 20 types of medicine for these diagnoses. Before my illness, I was studying for 12th board exams and still secured 90% PCM. I want to emphasize that clozapine can take more than 3 months to initiate action. For OCD, I am taking venlafaxine 375 mg."

• CJK
• July 7, 2015

"I've been on it for 4 weeks, and I don't see a big difference. I used to socialize at coffee shops, but now I feel paranoid, and I want to stay home. There are so many other things that can be wrong since I take several other meds like Depakote ER and Zoloft. I'm going to see my doctor this week, and hopefully find something to help with mood stabilization."

• Itisn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 25, 2021

"This is one of the worst drugs I have ever tried. I could barely stand a half of the 25 mg pill but my doctor insisted on taking it and started to increase the dosage to 100 mg. I started forgetting things. I couldn't sleep well."

• Matt
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• April 19, 2021

"Was put on different medications; for a while Zyprexa and Risperidone. Neither did much. The Zyprexa helped me sleep. Got put on Clozapine as a last resort and for the most part it helps with hallucinations. Only negative side effect experienced is moderate drowsiness. Might have my doctor lower the dosage next appointment."

• shahn...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• January 22, 2018

"I am using Clozapine 1 mg from last three years coz I am suffering from auditory hallucination from 2010 till now. I am under treatment and my doctor is saying I will have to take medicines whole life and there is no permanent solution. If any doctor knows any permanent solution please contact me. Clozapine is not for supressing negative voices but is used to calm you and relax you and reduce stress and help you to sleep better. For Visual and auditory hallucination , Respiridone 1 mg is useful daily but Clozapine and Respiridone increase your weight too much. In my case, my weight increased from 45 kg to 67 kg in just three years."

• Hector
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 28, 2023

"I was hearing voices left and right without pause, even planned on committing suicide many times until I took clozapine. It's a miracle drug for schizophrenia. I honestly thought there was no hope for me until I took this medication. The voices completely stopped. It also stopped my visual hallucinations completely. The only side effect it gave me was drowsiness, so I recommend taking it 30 minutes before your sleep time because this medication can seriously make you sleep for 10 hours or more. This drug is a lifesaver and even just 2 days in, I highly recommend it for any schizophrenic looking for hope and getting their life back on track. 10 out of 10, it's the perfect drug."

• His...
• March 3, 2020

"My brother diagnosed with schizophrenia 2 years ago tried many medications Zyprexa, invega, clopixol, rexulaity nothing worked with him he’s 20 years old now .. he just make the blood test to check if he can take Clozapine medication will see"

• Kira
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 27, 2023

"For me, clozapine 300 mg is a lifesaver. Well, it took 3 months for the onset of action of clozapine, so don't lose hope early. Give this drug a full try; I am sure it will benefit you. I have attempted suicide 6-7 times, been admitted to the hospital 6-7 times, visited nimhans twice, and seen more than 10 doctors. I have been diagnosed with schizo, OCD, borderline personality disorder, social anxiety, ruminations, bipolar disorder, and restless leg syndrome for the past 7 and a half years. I have taken more than 20 types of medicine for these diagnoses. Before my illness, I was studying for 12th board and still managed to secure 90% in PCM. I repeat myself, clozapine can take more than 3 months to initiate action. For OCD, I am taking venlafaxine 375 mg."

• LastR...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• April 26, 2018

"After trying many AP's, Clozapine finally settled my Schizoaffective/Schizophenia symptoms. Has a number of side effects, noticably, moderate OCD, temporary stiffness in joints and some initial weight gain. After 10 years, about to swap over to a new drug called Reluxta, which is now on Australian PBS list for AUD$40 (previously AUD$1700). Reluxta is suitable for those coming off Clozapine (slowly), with usually better results & fewer side effects. Some patients may still need to take a reduced Clozapine amount, while taking Reluxta as the main AP."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 17, 2023

"Clozapine is almost like a miracle drug for schizophrenia, but it can come with a great cost. I had to stop taking Clozapine because it decreased the amount of white blood cells too much. If I were more unlucky, I could have gotten the common flu and ended up in a hospital (or worse), but my doctor monitored my white blood cell count very actively. Clozapine can cause drooling (scopolamine patches can help), weight gain, and sleepiness (I recommend you take it before going to sleep), but it's also a very effective drug. Because of the downsides, I can't recommend it for other conditions than schizophrenia or psychosis because there are some risks but also a lot of benefits as well."