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Clozaril

Clozaril, also known as clozapine, is a derivative of tricyclic dibenzoiazepine, which is an atypical antipsychotic drug used for treating people with schizophrenia, Bipolar, and other mental illness. Manufactured by the pharmaceutical company Novartis, Clozaril comes in tablets of 25 and 100 mg. The drug's ability to bind to dopamine receptors coupled with the effects it has on a number of different dopamine mediated behaviors has made it a popular choice by medical professions around the country but only in severe cases. Different from other types of antipsychotic drugs, Clozaril causes no interference with dopamine at D1, D2, D3, and D5 receptors in relation to binding. In addition, studies have shown that Clozaril is highly affinitive for the D4 receptor.

Generally, Clozaril would be prescribed for individuals that do not respond well too other standard type drugs used for treating schizophrenia and Bipolar. Keep in mind that significant risk does exist for agranulocytosis and seizure. Therefore, you would only find this drug used as a last resort or intense treatment of mental disorders and not a first-choice drug. With agranulocytosis, great risk exists for death so when Clozaril is administered to people with mental disorders who do not respond well, the treatment would need to be stopped immediately. The manufacturer recommends that patients be given a minimum of two trials with standard medication prior to converting to Clozaril. The key is monitoring the patient's baseline white blood cell and differential count once a week for the first six months of treatment.

Even so, Clozaril has demonstrated success in the many studies conducted but because extended treatment increases risk, you would rarely see patients on Clozaril for any significant time. While Clozaril has shown to reduce the risk of recurrent suicidal tendencies, for this particular behavior, it would likely be prescribed for two years or more. However, doctors in this position should be aware that a large number of patients also have an increase of other risks. The bottom line is that Clozaril is a serious drug for serious illness. Therefore, each patient must be carefully evaluated and the administration of the drug carefully monitored.

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This Week's Bipolar News

Overeating and substance abuse are similar disorders
Los Angeles Times
People with bipolar disorder have higher-than-average rates of obesity and substance abuse. But McIntyre found that the obesity rate in bipolar patients was ...

Club stoush bowls out member
The Advertiser
A MAN suffering from bipolar disorder and depression has been barred from membership at a Sydney bowling club after a clash over club bylaws.

Mom abandons 18-year-old under Nebraska safe-haven law
Richmond Times-Dispatch
LINCOLN, Neb. (AP) -- Police say a woman has abandoned her 18-year-old daughter at a hospital, saying she can't control the girl, in what may be the latest use of Nebraska's unique safe-haven law. The woman told officials at BryanLGH Medical Center West that her daughter, who was adopted, is bipolar and has a learning disability, Assistant Police Chief Jim Peschong said today.

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Featured Article:

Romancing Your Spouse

"Romancing your spouse?" Ok, I can already hear you yelling at me! I know, it's a strange concept, but hear me out. Some of the longest-running marriages have lasted because of this very concept.

You may be thinking that this has nothing to do with Bipolar Disorder, but it does. Even the best of marriages has some strain on it - the pressures of day-to-day living, at the very least. However, Bipolar Disorder puts additional pressure on your marriage because of the issues you have to face in dealing with the disorder, whether you are the survivor or the supporter.

No matter how long you've been married, the suggestions in this article can put some "spark" into your marriage. And if you've only been married a short time, putting these suggestions into place now can help ensure a long, happy, healthy marriage (of course, you will still have to do some hard work yourself to make that happen as well!).

Click here to read the entire aritcle

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