Side effect

What happens

What to do about it

COMMON

Drowsiness

Feeling sleepy or sluggish. It can last for a few hours after taking your dose.

Don't drive or use machinery. Ask your doctor if you can take your clozapine at a different time.

Constipation

Feeling "bunged up" inside. You can't pass a motion.

Make sure you eat enough fibre or bran or fruit. Make sure you are drinking enough fluid.

Make sure you keep active and get some exercise e.g. walking. If this does not help, ask your doctor or chemist for a mild laxative.

Hypersalivation

Your mouth gets full of saliva or spit. You may drool - your pillow may be wet in the morning.

This is not dangerous, but can be annoying or distressing. Your doctor may be able to give you a tablet (usually hyoscine) to help this. Some people find propping up pillows at night helps a bit. NB You can download and print a PILL (Patient Information leaflet) for hyoscine, or pirenzepine which is sometimes used.

Hypotension

A low blood pressure - this can make you feel dizzy.

Try not to stand up too quickly.
If you feel dizzy, don't drive.
This dizziness is not dangerous.

Weight gain

Eating more and putting on weight.

A diet full of vegetables and fibre may help prevent weight gain. See also a separate question in this section.

RARE

Movement disorders

(extra-pyramidal or Parkinsonian side effects)

Having shaky hands and feeling shaky. Your neck may twist back. Your eyes and tongue may move on their own. You may feel very restless.

It is not usually dangerous and is a well known side effect. If it is distressing or worries you, tell your doctor. He or she may be able to give you something for it e.g. an anticholinergic drug. Although it sometimes looks a little like Parkinson’s Disease, it is not the same thing.

Fever or flu-like symptoms

A high temperature.

Make sure you check with your doctor to make sure you do not hve a blood problem. If not, try aspirin or paracetamol. Your pharmacist will be able to advise if these are safe to take with any other drugs you may be taking. Always tell your doctor or carer if you get an unexpected fever, sore throat or illness.

Agranulocytosis or neutropenia

Low numbers of white cells in the blood. You may get more infections.

This will be picked up from your blood tests (see separate question in this section). It happens in about 2 or 3 in 100 people. Always tell your doctor or carer if you get an unexpected fever, sore throat or illness.

Seizures

Having a fit or convulsion.

Stop taking clozapine and contact your doctor immediately.

Palpitations

A fast heart beat.

It is not dangerous. It can easily be treated if it lasts for a long time.