Clozapine?

My pdoc has suggested my changing from Seroquel XR to Clozapine (which requires weekly bloodwork for 6 months). Does anyone have experience with Clozapine?

Thanks, Two Sons

I currently take clozapine and am doing well on it.

When I was started on clozapine, I was inpatient at the time, so the med was started at 25mg in the evening, and it was raised 25mg every week. After doing well at 100mg (four weeks later), I was discharged from the hospital.

The dosage was increased on a weekly basis till I reached 300mg.

I do very well on clozapine. I take it for 2 purposes. I take it for hallucinations and delusions, but I also take it as a secondary mood stabilizer, as it does help my manic symptoms such as irritability/agitation, lack of sleep, racing thoughts, etc.

I manage the sedation by taking my entire dosage at bedtime. I also get dry mouth from the medication so I do drink extra water.

Since I've been on clozapine for years (been on it since Jan 2010), I only go for blood work once a month. It is important to go for the blood work as it is to check your white blood cell counts.

This is what I can think of for the moment, but let me know if you have questions/comments, and I will do my best to help you.

Good luck,
~ Andy