Clozaril (Clozapine) for Alzheimer's

Overview
Clozaril is a prescription drug first approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment-resistant schizophrenia. Clozaril is also known by its drug name, Clozapine. Clozaril is sometimes prescribed to treat hallucinations, agitation, aggression, lack of cooperativeness, delusions, and hostility in people with Alzheimer’s disease. Clozaril may be considered in cases where non-drug approaches have failed to address these symptoms. Since the FDA has not approved Clozaril specifically for this usage, it is considered “off-label.”

Clozaril is an antipsychotic, a drug that is used to manage psychiatric problems such as delusions and disordered thoughts. Clozaril is believed to work by blocking dopamine in certain pathways of the brain.

How do I take it?
Clozaril is taken orally once or twice a day.

Clozaril comes in tablet form.

Side effects
The FDA-approved label for Clozaril lists common side effects including sedation, dizziness, vertigo, dry mouth, extra saliva, changes in heart rhythm, high blood pressure, constipation, weight gain, nausea, and fever.

Rare but serious side effects listed for Clozaril can include heart problems, seizures, liver damage, and agranulocytosis (a severe reduction of white blood cells).