SCHIZOPHRENIA DRUG GETS VOTE OF CONFIDENCE

DRUG

Inspite of its known side effects, Clozaril was shown to be more effective in treating schizophrenia that Zyprexa and other popular drugs.

Dr. Darrel Regier, director of the research division of the American Psychiatric Association, said that patients should be started on a drug like Zyprexa first, since it doesn't carry all the risk and need for special monitoring that Clozaril does, but when Zyprexa fails to work, Clozaril is more effective. The major side effects of Clozaril is the loss of white blood cells and a sometimes fatal inflammation of the heart muscle. Therefore, patients have to be closely monitored and weekly blood tests are needed in the first few weeks of treatment.