Questions and Answers
What is the drug classification of Clozaril?
What is the initial dose range for Clozaril?
12.5 mg 1-2 times a day
What is the target dose range for Clozaril?
150-500 mg/day
What pharmacological action does Clozaril have?
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What are some therapeutic uses of Clozaril?
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Which of the following are side effects/adverse effects of Clozaril? (Select all that apply)
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What agent can increase the effects of Clozaril?
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Match the nursing interventions with their descriptions:
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What evaluation indicates the effectiveness of Clozaril?
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Study Notes
Drug Classification
- Clozaril is classified as an atypical antipsychotic.
Dose Range
- Initial oral dose: 12.5 mg, administered 1-2 times daily.
- Target dose: between 150-500 mg per day.
- Maximum allowable dose: 900 mg per day.
Pharmacological Action
- Primarily binds to dopamine receptors located in the central nervous system (CNS).
Therapeutic Uses
- Effective for treating schizophrenia that is unresponsive to or intolerant of other antipsychotic therapies.
- Used to reduce suicidal behaviors in patients with schizophrenia.
Side Effects/Adverse Effects
- Potentially severe reactions include neuroleptic malignant syndrome and seizures.
- Risk of cardiac arrest, deep vein thrombosis (DVT), ventricular arrhythmias, and pulmonary embolism.
- Possible blood disorders such as agranulocytosis and leukopenia.
Medication/Food Interactions
- May enhance anticholinergic effects when used with other medications.
- Oral contraceptives and caffeine can amplify clozapine's effects.
- Increased CNS depression when combined with alcohol, antidepressants, antihistamines, opioids, and sedative-hypnotics.
- Co-administration with Lithium can lead to heightened adverse CNS reactions, including seizures.
- St. John's Wort should be avoided.
Nursing Interventions/Client Education
- Monitor for extrapyramidal symptoms and inform patients about these risks.
- Smoking can lower clozapine levels, which may affect efficacy.
- Advise against alcohol and CNS depressants.
- Patients should report symptoms like palpitations, tachypnea, chest pain, sore throat, or flu-like symptoms to their physician.
- Pregnant or breastfeeding patients must notify their healthcare provider.
Nursing Administration Concerns
- Routine monitoring of white blood cells (WBCs) and absolute neutrophil count (ANC) is essential.
- Assessing fasting blood glucose levels is important due to potential metabolic side effects.
- Be aware that clozapine can lower seizure thresholds; assess respiration status regularly.
- Conduct baseline WBC counts, followed by weekly monitoring during treatment and for four weeks post-therapy.
- Agranulocytosis may occur 18-24 weeks after starting treatment.
Evaluation of Medication Effectiveness
- Effectiveness indicated by a decrease in positive schizophrenia symptoms, such as delusions and hallucinations.
- Reduction in negative symptoms, including social withdrawal and blunted affect, is also a marker of effectiveness.
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Description
Test your knowledge on Clozaril, an atypical antipsychotic used primarily for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. These flashcards cover drug classification, dosage information, pharmacological action, and therapeutic uses to enhance your understanding of this medication. Perfect for students or professionals in the field of psychiatry and pharmacology.
