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نشرة الممارس الصحي نشرة معلومات المريض بالعربية نشرة معلومات المريض بالانجليزية صور الدواء بيانات الدواء
  SFDA PIL (Patient Information Leaflet (PIL) are under review by Saudi Food and Drug Authority)

Leponex tablets contain an active substance called clozapine. This medicine

belongs to a group of medicines called antipsychotics.

 

What Leponex is used for?

Leponex is used to treat people suffering from schizophrenia who have

either tried other antipsychotic medications and did not benefit sufficiently

or who are unable to tolerate other antipsychotic medications because of

side effects.

Leponex is also used to treat people suffering from schizophrenia or

schizoaffective disorder (schizophrenia with mood disorders) who might

otherwise attempt to commit suicide. Schizophrenia is a mental illness

involving disturbances in thinking, emotional reactions and behaviour.

In addition, Leponex is used to treat thought, emotional and behavioural

disturbances in patients with Parkinson’s disease, when standard treatment

has failed. Parkinson’s disease is a chronic (persistent) disorder of the brain.

It mainly affects the way the brain co-ordinates the movements of the

muscles in various parts of the body.

 

How Leponex works

Leponex predominantly works by binding to and blocking the D4 receptor

(or dopamine receptor) in the brain. Leponex also has weak binding and

blocking activity on the D1, D2, D3 and D5 receptors in the brain as well as

other receptors that potentially have some contribution to its effectiveness.

Monitoring during your treatment with Leponex

You will have regular blood tests for as long as you continue to take Leponex

and for four weeks after stopping the treatment. Your doctor will tell you

when to have the tests. It is important that you attend for all blood tests

recommended by your doctor. If you suffer from high level of sugar in the

blood (diabetes) your doctor may regularly check your level of sugar in the

blood. Leponex may cause alteration in blood lipids. Leponex may cause

weight gain. Your doctor may monitor your weight and blood lipid levels. If

you have any questions about how Leponex works or why this medicine has

been prescribed for you, ask your doctor.


Leponex may only be taken if prescribed by a doctor.

Follow all doctors’ instructions carefully, even if they differ from the general

information contained in this leaflet.

Before starting Leponex, you will have a blood test to make sure that you

can take this medicine.

Do not take Leponex

• If you are allergic to clozapine or any of the ingredients of Leponex

listed at the end of this leaflet.

• If you are unable to undergo regular blood tests.

• If you have ever been diagnosed with low white blood cells except if it

was following a treatment for cancer.

• If you suffer or have ever suffered from bone marrow disease.

• If you have liver, kidney or heart problems.

• If you suffer from uncontrolled seizures.

• If you have problems with alcohol or drug abuse.

• If you suffer or have ever suffered from severe constipation, obstruction of

the bowel or any other condition which has affected your large bowel.

If any of the above applies to you, tell your doctor without taking Leponex.

If you think you are allergic to Leponex (clozapine), ask your doctor for

advice before taking Leponex.

 

Take special care with Leponex

• If you have had a stroke, heart disease or family history of abnormal

conduction in the heart called “prolongation of the QT interval”

• If you suffer from enlargement of the prostate, convulsions, glaucoma

(a condition in which the pressure of fluid in the eye is generally too high),

diabetes or any other serious medical condition.

If any of these apply to you, tell your doctor before you take Leponex.

• Consult your doctor immediately at the first sign of a cold, influenza,

fever, sore throat, or any other infection. Leponex can reduce the

number of white cells in your blood, and lead to a higher sensitivity to

infection. Your doctor may check your blood cell count and take further

measures if necessary.

• Consult your doctor immediately if you experience fast and irregular

heart beat that persists when you are at rest, possibly accompanied by

shortness of breath and swelling of the feet or legs. These effects may

especially occur at the beginning of the treatment and your

doctor may need to take further measures.

During treatment with Leponex you may experience

• Light-headedness or fainting, especially at the start of treatment. This is

due to a lowering of your blood pressure.

• Seizures, drowsiness, fainting, muscle weakness, which may lead to falls

• Chest pain which may be a symptom of heart attack which may lead to

death.

• Chest pain which may be due to inflammation of the heart muscle

which may lead to death.

• Abdominal pain and constipation which may be a sign of abnormal

dilatation of the large intestines which may lead to death

• Abdominal pain which could be a sign of breakdown of part of the intestine

due to its compromised blood supply which may lead to death

• Sleepiness and remaining in bed for prolonged duration in combination

with weight gain which may lead to blood clots in some patients.

If you get any of these symptoms, tell your doctor straight away.

 

Taking other medicines

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking or have recently taken any

other medicines. Remember those not prescribed by a doctor. This includes

sleeping pills, tranquilizers, antiallergy medicines, antibiotics, medicines

used to treat depression, convulsions or ulcers of the stomach, and

medicines effective against fungal or viral infections, other medicines used

to treat mental illness, birth-control tablets. These medicines can interfere

with your treatment.

 

Taking Leponex with food and drink

• Interaction with alcohol: Leponex may enhance the effects of alcohol.

You should not drink alcohol while taking Leponex.

• Levels of Leponex in the blood can be affected by stopping smoking or

changing in the number of caffeine-containing drinks you have in a day.

Inform your doctor of any such changes in your habits.

 

Older people (age 60 years and over)

Your doctor might need to adjust your treatment if you are 60 or older.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you suffer from a condition called

dementia.

 

Children and adolescents

The use of Leponex in children and adolescents is not recommended.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding

Tell your doctor or pharmacist before using Leponex if you are pregnant or

you think that you may be pregnant. Your doctor will discuss with you the

benefits and potential risks of using this medicine during pregnancy.

Tell your doctor immediately if you become pregnant during Leponex

treatment. New-born babies of mothers taking antipsychotic drugs during

the third trimester of pregnancy may have increased risk of developing stiff

limbs, trembling, agitation, muscle stiffness, muscle flaccidity, drowsiness,

short and shallow breathing, and feeding disorders following delivery. In

some cases these symptoms may be self-limiting, in other cases, babies

may require intensive care unit support or hospitalization.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are breast-feeding. Clozapine, the

active ingredient of Leponex/Clozaril, may pass into your milk and affect

your baby. You should not breast-feed during Leponex treatment.

Women of child-bearing potential and contraception

Some women taking some antipsychotic medications have irregular or no

periods. If you are female and you have been affected in this way, your periods

may return when your medication is changed to Leponex. In these

circumstances, you should make sure that you use a reliable method of

contraception.

 

Fertility:

Limited data available on the effects of clozapine on human fertility are

inconclusive

 

Driving and using machines

Leponex may cause drowsiness, especially at the start of treatment. Therefore

you should avoid driving or using machines until you have got used to the

medication and drowsiness has disappeared.


Follow your doctor’s instructions carefully. Do not exceed the

recommended dosage.

 

How much Leponex to take

Your doctor will tell you exactly how many tablets of Leponex to take and how

often you should take them.

• Treatment of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorders in people who

might otherwise attempt to commit suicide

Treatment is usually started with one half of a 25 mg tablet (12.5 mg)

once or twice on the first day. Your doctor will then gradually increase

your dose, until the ideal dose for you is established.

Your treatment will continue with a daily dose of Leponex between 300

and 450 mg. The daily dose is usually taken in divided portions, some

being taken in the morning and some at bedtime. Some people may

require doses of up to a maximum of 900 mg per day.

• Treatment of thought, emotional and behavioural disturbances in

patients with Parkinson’s disease

Treatment is usually started with one half of a 25 mg tablet (12.5 mg) in

the evening, and then the dose will be gradually increased until the ideal

dose for you is established. Your treatment will continue with a daily dose

of Leponex between 25 mg and 37.5 mg, and will usually be given as a

single dose each evening.

Some people may require doses of up to 50 mg per day. In exceptional

cases, your doctor may prescribe a higher dose but the dose must never

exceed 100 mg per day. Your blood pressure will be measured during the

first weeks of treatment.

 

When to take Leponex

Taking Leponex at the same time each day will help you remember when to

take your medicine.

 

How to take Leponex

Take Leponex tablets by mouth. The scored tablets can be divided into equal

halves (the formulation may differ in some countries).

 

How long to take Leponex

Continue taking Leponex as your doctor tells you.

If you have questions about how long to take Leponex, talk to your doctor or

your pharmacist.

 

If you take more Leponex than you should (an overdose)

If you have accidentally taken too many tablets, talk to your doctor or

pharmacist straight away. You may require medical attention.

 

If you forget to take Leponex

If you forget to take a dose, take another as soon as your remember. However,

if it is time to take your next dose, or less than 4 hours before your next dose,

leave out your forgotten tablets and take your next dose at the right time.

Do not take a double dose of Leponex to make up for the one that you missed.

If you have not taken Leponex for more than two days, do not re-start taking

the medicine and contact your doctor as soon as possible.

 

If you stop taking Leponex

Risk for withdrawal effects

Do not suddenly stop using Leponex.

If this medicine must be stopped for any reason, your doctor will reduce the

dose gradually over a 1- to 2-week period to avoid side effects. Suddenly

stopping Leponex or rapidly reducing the dose can cause side effects. For this

reason, it is very important that you, and those caring for you, are able to

recognise signs of Leponex withdrawal.

If sudden discontinuation of Leponex is necessary, the patient may have

psychotic symptoms and withdrawal symptoms such as profuse sweating,

headache, nausea, vomiting, bronchial constriction and diarrhoea.

If you have any of the above signs, tell your doctor straight away. These signs

may be followed by more serious side effects unless you are treated

immediately.

 


Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you get any unexpected

symptoms while you are using Leponex, even if you do not think that they are

connected with the medicine.

 

Some side effects could be serious and need medical attention

Very common: these side effects may affect more than 10 in every 100 patients

• Fast heartbeat

Common: these side effects may affect between 1 and 10 in every 100 patients

• signs of infection such as fever, severe chills, sore

throat or mouth ulcers. Leponex can reduce the number of white cells in

your blood, and lead to a higher sensitivity to infection.

• Seizures.

• High level of a specific type of white blood cells, increased white blood cell

count.

• Loss of consciousness, fainting.

Uncommon: these side effects may affect between 1 and 10 in every 1,000

patients

• Fever, muscle cramps, fluctuation in blood pressure, disorientation,

confusion.

Rare: these side effects may affect between 1 and 10 in every 10,000 patients

• Significant drop in blood pressure.

• Chest pain due to inflammation of the heart muscle.

• Chest pain due to inflammation of the outer lining

of the heart.

• Blood clot.

• Low level of red blood cells.

• Food getting into the lung.

signs of respiratory tract infection or pneumonia such as fever, coughing,

difficulty breathing, wheezing.

• Abdominal pain due to inflammation of the pancreas.

• Yellow skin and eyes, nausea, and/or loss of appetite, dark urine sign of

liver disorder, hepatitis.

Very rare: these side effects may affect less than 1 in every 10,000 patients

• Spontaneous bleeding or bruising possible signs of low level of blood

platelets (thrombocytopenia).

• High platelet levels in the blood.

• Impaired orientation/confusion, nausea/ vomiting, excessive urination,

abdominal pain with high blood sugar.

• Chest pain, irregular heartbeat and heart failure.

• Short and shallow breathing.

• Feeling sick, vomiting with severe/prolonged constipation.

• Yellow skin due to severe hepatitis, abdominal pain.

• Inflammation of the kidney.

• Prolonged erection.

• Sudden unexplained death.

• Kidney function problems.

Frequency not known: These side effects may also occur, but the frequency is not

known

• Profuse sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (symptoms of

cholinergic syndrome).

• Falls due to Leponex -induced seizures, drowsiness, fainting, muscle

weakness.

• Chest pain which may be a symptom of heart attack which may lead to

death.

• Chest pain which may be a sign of inflammation of the heart muscle which

may lead to death

• Crushing chest pain (signs of insufficient blood flow and oxygen to the

heart muscle).

• Chest pain, cough, hiccups, rapid breathing (signs of fluid collection

between the layers of tissue that line the lungs and chest cavity)

• Intermittent “thumping,” “pounding,” or “fluttering” sensation in the chest

(palpitations).

• Rapid and irregular heartbeats (atrial fibrillation).

There may be occasional heart palpitations,fainting, shortness of breath,

or chest discomfort.

• Low blood pressure

• Kidney failure.

• Abdominal pain and constipation which may be a sign of abnormal

dilatation of the large intestines which may lead to death

• Abdominal pain which could be a sign of breakdown of part of the intestine

due to its compromised blood supply which may lead to death

• Abdominal pain with fever and/or constipation or bloody diarrhoea as

possible signs of potentially life-threatening bowel disease

• Muscle spasms, fever, red-brown urine which could be possible signs of

abnormal breakdown of muscles (rhabdomyolysis)

• Varying degrees of pain in the chest and the abdomen which may be a

sign of inflammation of the membranes simultaneously in several body

cavities such as those in the chest, abdomen and joints.

• Liver disorders including fatty liver disease, death

of liver cells, liver toxicity/injury.

• Liver disorders that involve replacement of normal liver tissue with scar

tissue leading to loss of liver function, including those liver events leading

to life-threatening consequences such as liver failure (which may lead to

death), liver injury (injury of liver cells, bile duct in the liver, or both) and

liver transplant.

• Proven or strongly suspected infection along with fever or low body

temperature, abnormally rapid breathing, rapid heart rate, change in

responsiveness and awareness, drop in blood pressure (sepsis).

• Pauses in breathing or periods of shallow breathing during sleep

• Allergic reaction (swelling mainly of the face, mouth and throat, as well as,

the tongue, which may be itchy or painful).

• Extensive skin rash with fever.

If you experience or observe any of these, tell your doctor immediately.

 

Some side effects are very common

These side effects may affect more than 10 in every 100 patients

• Drowsiness

• Dizziness

• Constipation, tell your doctor if constipation gets worse.

• Increased production of saliva

 

Some side effects are common

These side effects may affect between 1 and 10 in every 100 patients

• Weight gain

• Slurred speech

• Abnormal movements, inability to initiate movement, inability to remain

motionless, inner feeling restlessness, stiff limbs, trembling hands.

• Shaking/trembling

• Muscle stiffness

• Headache

• Blurred vision, difficulties in reading

• Changes in ECG heart machine

• Light-headedness upon standing due to decreasedblood pressure

• High blood pressure

• Nausea, vomiting, dry mouth

• Elevated liver enzymes

• Problems in passing or retaining urine

• Fever

• Tiredness

 

Some side effects are uncommon

These side effects may affect between 1 and 10 in every 1,000 patients

• Stuttering in speech

 

Some side effects are rare

These side effects may affect between 1 and 10 in every 10,000 patients

• Excessive thirst, dry mouth and passing large amounts of urine may be

signs of high sugar levels in the blood (diabetes). If you experience any of

these, tell your doctor as soon as possible as Leponex may cause or

worsen diabetes.

• Confusion

• Irregular heartbeat

• Difficulty swallowing

• Increased muscle enzymes

 

Some side effects are very rare

These side effects may affect less than 1 in every 10,000 patients

• High cholesterol

• High fatty acids in the blood

• Involuntary Purposeless movement such as grimacing, lip-smacking,

rapid eye blinking

• compulsive thoughts and behaviours

• Swelling of the glands in the cheeks

• Skin reactions

 

Some other side effects may also occur, but their frequency is not known

• Changes in brain waves machine

(Electroencephalogram/EEG)

• Diarrhea

• Stomach discomfort, heartburn, stomach discomfort after a meal

• Muscle weakness

• Muscle spasms

• Muscle pain

• Stuffy nose

• Nocturnal bedwetting

• Rash, purplish-red spots, fever or itching due to inflammation of blood vessel

• Inflammation of the colon resulting in diarrhoea,abdominal pain, fever

• Change in skin colour

• “Butterfly” facial rash, joint pain, muscle pain, fever and fatigue (lupus

erythematous)

• Sudden, uncontrollable increase in blood pressure

(pseudophaeochromocytoma)

• Uncontrolled bending of the body to one side (pleurothotonus)

• Becoming excessively overweight (bodyweight is at least 20% higher than

it should be).

• If you are a male, ejaculatory disorder in which semen enters the bladder

instead of ejaculating through the penis (dry orgasm or retrograde ejaculation)

• A strong urge to move the legs (restless legs syndrome) accompanied by

an unpleasant feeling in the legs

Contact your doctor if any of these affect you severely. If you notice any side

effects not mentioned in this leaflet, inform your doctor or pharmacist.


• Keep Leponex out of the reach and sight of children.

• Store in the original package.

• Do not use Leponex after the expiry date shown on the pack.

• Do not use any Leponex pack that is damaged or shows signs of tampering.

• Do not store Leponex above 30°C.


• The active substance of Leponex is clozapine.

• The other inactive ingredients are magnesium stearate, silica, colloidal

anhydrous, povidone, talc, maize starch, and lactose monohydrate.


Leponex is supplied as tablet in packs containing 50 tablets. Each tablet contains 25 mg or 100 mg clozapine. The scored tablets can be divided into equal halves.

Marketing Authorization Holder

Mylan Pharma GmbH

Turmstrasse 24, 6312 Steinhausen,

Switzerland

 

Manufacturer

Madaus GmbH

Lütticher Straße 5

53842 Troisdorf, Germany

 


This leaflet was last revised in Jun-2021
  نشرة الدواء تحت مراجعة الهيئة العامة للغذاء والدواء (اقرأ هذه النشرة بعناية قبل البدء في استخدام هذا المنتج لأنه يحتوي على معلومات مهمة لك)

ما ھو عقار لیبونكس؟

یحتوي عقار لیبونكس أقراص على مادة فعالة تُسمى كلوزابین. ینتمي ھذا

الدَّواء إلى مجموعة من الأدویة تسمى مضادات الذھان.

 

فیم یستخدم عقار لیبونكس؟

یستخدم عقار لیبونكس لعلاج الأشخاص الذین یعانون من الفُصَام ممن جربوا

أدویة أخرى مضادة للذھان ولم تُجد معھم بدرجة كافیة أو لم یتحملوا الأدویة

الأخرى المضادة للذھان بسبب آثارھا الجانبیة.

یستخدم عقار لیبونكس لعلاج الأشخاص الذین یعانون من الفُصَام أو اضطراب

فصامي عاطفي (الفُصَام المصحوب باضطرابات مزاجیة) ممن یحاولون الانتحار بأي شكل من

الأشكال.

الفُصَام عبارة عن مرض عقلي ینطوي على اضطرابات في التفكیر وردود الفعل العاطفیة والسلوك.

بالإضافة إلى ذلك، یستخدم عقار لیبونكس لعلاج اضطرابات التفكیر

والاضطرابات النفسیة والسلوكیة لدى المرضى الذین یعانون من مرض الشلل الرعَّاش (مرض

باركنسون) ولم یُجد معھم العلاج القیاسي. ویُعد مرض الشلل الرعَّاش (مرض باركنسون) اضطرابًا

مزمنًا (مستمرًّا) بالمخ. وھو یُؤثر بشكل أساسي على الطریقة التي ینسق بھا المخ حركات العضلات في أجزاء مختلفة بالجسم.

 

كیف یعمل عقار لیبونكس؟

 یعمل عقار لیبونكس في الغالب من خلال الارتباط بمستقبل 4D (أو مستقبل

الدُّوبامِین) الموجود في المخ وإحصاره. ویتسم عقار لیبونكس أیضًا بنشاطھ الضعیف في الارتباط

والإحصارفي مستقبلات 1Dو 2D ،3Dو 4 D في المخ بالإضافة إلى مستقبلات أخرى یحتمل أن

تساھم إلى حد ما في فعالیتھهز

 

المراقبة أثناء العلاج بعقار لیبونكس

سیطلب منك إجراء اختبارات دم بصورة منتظمة طیلة مدة استمرارك في

تناول عقار لیبونكس ولمدة أربعة أسابیع بعد إیقاف العلاج. وسیخبرك طبیبك

بالوقت الذي یجب علیك فیه إجراء الاختبارات. ومن المھم أن تجري جمیع

اختبارات الدَّم التي یطلبھا منك الطبیب.

إذا كنت تعاني من ارتفاع مستوى السُّكَّرِ في الدَّم (مرض السُّكَّرِي) فربما

یفحص الطبیب مستوى السكر في الدَّم لدیك. وربما یسبب العلاج بعقار

لیبونكس تغییرًا في دھون الدَّم. وربما یسبب أیضًا عقار لیبونكس زیادة في

الوزن. لذا قد یراقب طبیبك وزنك ومستویات الدھون في الدم لدیك. إذا كانت

لدیك أیة أسئلة حول كیفیة عمل عقار لیبونكس أو لماذا تم وصف ھذا الدواء

لك، فاستشر طبیبك

لا یجب تناول عقار لیبونكس إِ لا إذا وصفه طبیب.

اتبع جمیع تعلیمات الطبیب بعنایة، حتى إذا كانت تختلف عن المعلومات

العامة الواردة في ھذه النشرة.

قبل بدء العلاج بعقار لیبونكس، یتعین أن تجري اختبار دم؛ لتتأكد من أنه

بإمكانك تناول ھذا الدَّواء.

 

لا تتناول عقار لیبونكس

إذا كنت تعاني من حساسیة تجاه كلوزابین أو أيٍّ من مكونات عقار

لیبونكس المذكورة في نھایة ھذه النشرة.

إذا كنت غیر قادر على إجراء اختبارات الدَّم بشكل منتظم.

إذا كان قد تم ذات مرة تشخیص حالتك بأنك تعاني من انخفاض عدد

خلایا الدَّم البیضاء إِ لَّ إذا كان ذلك إثر تناول علاج للسرطان.

إذا كنت تعاني حالیًا أو سابقًا من مرض بالنخاع العظمي.

إذا كنت تُعاني من مشاكل بالكبد أو الكُلى أو القلب.

إذا كنت تعاني من نوبات تشنج خارجة عن السیطرة.

إذا كنت تعاني من مشاكل تتمثل في سوء استخدام العقاقیر أو تعاطي

الكحولیات.

إذا كنت تعاني أو قد عانیت من قبل من إمساك شدید، انسداد الأمعاء أو

أي حالة مرضیة أخرى كانت قد أثرت على الأمعاء الغلیظة لدیك.

إذا كان أيٌّ مما سبق ینطبق علیك، یرجى إبلاغ طبیبك قبل تناول عقار

لیبونكس/ كلوزاریل.

إذا كنت تعتقد أنك تعاني من حساسیة تجاه عقار لیبونكس (كلوزابین(،

فاستشر طبیبك أولً قبل تناول عقار لیبونكس.

 

توخي حذر خاص مع عقار لیبونكس

إذا كنت قد عانیت من سكتة دماغیة أو مرض بالقلب أو لدیك تاریخ

   عائلي من الإصابة بتوصیل غیر طبیعي في القلب یسمى "إطالة فترة“QT

• إذا كنت تعاني من تضخم البروستاتا، التشنجات، الجلوكوما "المیاه الزرقاء"

(حالة مرضیة یكون فیھا ضغط السوائل بالعین مرتفعًا جدًّا عامةً)، مرض

السُّكَّرِيّ أو أي حالة مرضیة خطیرة أخرى.

إذا انطبق علیك أي مما سبق، فأخبر طبیبك قبل تناوُل عقار لیبونكس.

استشر الطبیب فورًا عند ظھور أول علامة من علامات البرد، الأنفلونزا،

الحمى، التھاب الحلق، أو أي عدوى أخرى. قد یؤدي عقار لیبونكس إلى

انخفاض عدد كرات الدَّم البیضاء فى دمكِ وتؤدي إلى زیادة الحساسیة

للعدوى. قد یفحص الطبیب عدد خلایا الدم لدیك ویتخذ تدابیر إضافیة إذا

لزم الأمر.

استشر الطبیب فورًا إذا كنت تعاني من تسارع ضربات القلب وعدم

انتظامھا والذي یستمر أثناء راحتك، والذي یحتمل أن یكون مصحوبًا

بضیق النفس وتورم القدمین أو الساقین. فقد تحدث ھذه الآثار خاصةً عند بدء

العلاج وقد یحتاج الطبیب إلى اتخاذ تدابیر إضافیة.

 

ربما تعاني أثناء العلاج بعقار لیبونكس من

• شعور بخفة الرأس أو إغماء، خاصةً عند بدء العلاج. وھذا بسبب انخفاض

ضغط الدَّم.

• نوبات التشنُّج، نعاس، إغماء، ضعف العضلات، مما قد یؤدي إلى السقوط.

• ألم في الصدر قد یكون عرضًا لنوبة قلبیة وربما یؤدي إلى الوفاة.

• ألم في الصدر قد یكون ناجمًا عن التھاب عضلة القلب وربما یؤدي إلى الوفاة.

• ألم في البطن وإمساك، قد یكون علامة على توسع غیر طبیعي بالأمعاء

الغلیظة وربما یؤدي إلى الوفاة.

• ألم في البطن قد یكون علامة على تكسر جزء من الأمعاء بسبب ضعف

تزوده بالدَّم وربما یؤدي إلى الوفاة.

• النعاس والبقاء في الفراش لفترة طویلة مع زیادة الوزن مما قد یتسبب في

إصابة بعض المرضى بتجلط دموي.

اذا أصبت بأيٍّ مما سبق، فأخبر طبیبك فورًا.

 

تناوُل أدویة أخرى

أخبر الطبیب أو الصیدلي الخاص بك إذا كنت تتناول أو كنت قد تناولت مؤخرًا

أیَّة أدویة أخرى. ولا تنس تلك التي حصلت علیھا دون وصفة طبیب.

وھي تشمل الحبوب المنومة، المھدئات، الأدویة المضادة للحساسیة،

المضادات الحیویة، الأدویة التي تُستخدم لعلاج الاكتئاب، التشنجات أو القرح

بالمعدة، والأدویة الفعالة ضد العدوى الفیروسیة أو الفطریة، الأدویة الأخرى

التي تستخدم لعلاج الأمراض العقلیة، أقراص منع الحمل.

یمكن أن تتداخل ھذه الأدویة مع علاجك.

 

استخدام عقار لیبونكس مع الأغذیة والمشروبات

• التَّداخل مع الكحولیات: قد یعزز عقار لیبونكس آثار الكحولیات. لا تشرب

الكحولیات أثناء تناول عقار لیبونكس.

• یمكن أن تتأثر مستویات عقار لیبونكس في الدَّم بالتَّوقف عن التدخین أو

تغییر عدد المشروبات التي تحتوي على الكافین التي تتناولھا في الیوم.

أخبر الطبیب بأي تغییرات في عاداتك.

 

كبار السن (بعمر 60 عامًا فأكبر)

قد یحتاج الطبیب إلى ضبط علاجك إذا كنت تبلغ من العمر 60 عامًا أو أكبر.

أخبر طبیبك أو الصیدلي الخاص بك إذا كنت تعاني من حالة مرضیة تسمى

الخرف.

 

الأطفال والمراھقون

لا یُوصى باستخدام عقار لیبونكس للأطفال والمراھقین.

 

الحمل والرضاعة الطبیعیة

استشیري طبیبكِ أو الصیدلي قبل استخدام عقار لیبونكس إذا كنتِ حاملً،

أو تعتقدین أنكِ قد تكونین حاملً. فسیناقش معكِ طبیبكِ الفوائد المرجوة

والمخاطر المُحتملة لاستخدام ھذا الدواء أثناء فترة الحمل.

یجب علیكِ إخبار طبیبكِ فورًا إذا أصبحتِ حاملً أثناء فترة العلاج بعقار

لیبونكس. یُعد الأطفال حدیثو الولادة الذین تتناول أمھاتھم عقاقیر مضادة

للذھان خلال الثلث الأخیر من الحمل معرضین بشكل زائد لخطر الإصابة

بتصلب الأطراف، الارتجاف، الھِیاج، تصلب العضلات، ترھل (ارتخاء) العضلات، النعاس، قصر

النفس وضحالته، واضطرابات التغذیة بعد الولادة. وتزول ھذه الأعراض تلقائیًّا لدى بعض الحالات،

ولكن في حالات أخرى قد یلزم إدخال الأطفال وحدة عنایة مركزة؛ لتقدیم الدعم لھم أو إیداعھم

المستشفى. أخبري طبیبكِ أو الصیدلي الخاص بكِ إذا كنتِ ترضعین طفلكِ طبیعیًّا. قد یفرز الكلوزابین،

وھو المادة الفعالة في عقار لیبونكس/كلوزاریل، في لبن الثدي ویُؤثر على الطفل. لذا یجب علیكِ

الامتناع عن الإرضاع الطبیعي أثناء فترة العلاج بعقار لیبونكس.

 

السیدات ممن لدیھن القدرة على الحمل ووسائل منع الحمل

تكون دورات الحیض غیر منتظمة أو منعدمة لدى بعض السیدات ممن

یتناولون أدویة مضادة للذھان. لذا إذا كنت من الإناث اللاتي تأثرن بھذه

الطریقة، فاعلمي أن دورات الحیض ربما تأتیك ثانیة عندما یتغیر الدَّواء إلى

عقار لیبونكس. وفي ھذه الحالات، یجب أن تتأكدي من استخدام وسیلة

موثوقة لمنع حمل.

 

الخصوبة:

البیانات المتاحة محدودة عن تأثیرات كلوزابین على خصوبة الإنسان فھي غیر حاسمة.

 

القیادة واستخدام الآلات

قد یسبب العلاج بعقار لیبونكس النعاس، خاصة عند بدء العلاج. لذا، یجب

عدم القیادة أو استخدام الآلات حتى تعتاد على الدَّواء ویزول النعاس.

https://localhost:44358/Dashboard

یُرجى اتباع تعلیمات طبیبك بعنایة. لا تتجاوز الجرعة الموصى بھا.

 

ما ھي الكمیة التي یجب أن تتناولھا من عقار لیبونكس؟

سیخبرك طبیبك بالضبط كم عدد الأقراص التي ستتناولھا من عقار لیبونكس

ومعدل تناوُل الأقراص.

 

علاج الفُصَام أو الاضطرابات الفصامیة العاطفیة لدى الأشخاص الذین

یحاولون الانتحار بأي شكل من الأشكال

یبدأ العلاج عادة بنصف قرص 25 مجم ( 12.5 مجم) مرة واحدة أو مرتین

في أول یوم. وسیقوم طبیبك بعد ذلك بزیادة الجرعة تدریجیًّا، حتى تصل

إلى الجرعة التي تناسب حالتك بأفضل شكل.

سیستمر علاجك بجرعة یومیة من عقار لیبونكس تتراوح بین 300 و 450

مجم. ویتم تناول الجرعة الیومیة عادة على جزأین متساویین، الجزء الأول

صباحًا والثَّاني عند النوم. وقد یحتاج بعض المرضى إلى جرعات تصل

بأقصى حد لھا إلى 900 مجم في الیوم.

علاج اضطرابات التفكیر والاضطرابات النفسیة والسلوكیة لدى المرضى

الذین یعانون من مرض الشلل الرعَّاش (مرض باركنسون)

یبدأ العلاج عادة بنصف قرص 25 مجم ( 12.5 مجم) في المساء، ثم ستزید

الجرعة تدریجیًّا حتى تصل إلى الجرعة التي تناسب حالتك بأفضل شكل.

سیستمر علاجك بجرعة یومیة من عقار لیبونكس تتراوح بین 25 و 37.5

مجم، وستعطى عادة على ھیئة جرعة واحدة كل مساء.

قد یحتاج بعض المرضى إلى جرعات تصل إلى 50 مجم في الیوم. وفي

حالات استثنائیة، قد یصف الطبیب جرعة أعلى ولكنھا لا تتجاوز بأي حال

من الأحوال 100 مجم في الیوم.

سیتم قیاس ضغط الدَّم لدیك خلال الأسابیع الأولى من العلاج.

 

متى تتناول عقار لیبونكس؟

تناوُل عقار لیبونكس في الوقت نفسه من كل یوم سیُساعدك على تذكُّر موعد

تناوُل القرص.

 

كیفیة تناول عقار لیبونكس

ینبغي تناول عقار لیبونكس أقراص عن طریق الفم.

یمكن تقسیم الأقراص إلى نصفین متساویین (قد یختلف الشكل الصیدلي في

بعض البلدان).

 

المدة اللازمة لتناول عقار لیبونكس

ینبغي الاستمرار في تناول عقار لیبونكس طیلة المدة التي یحددھا طبیبك.

إذا كانت لدیك أیة استفسارات حول طول المدة اللازمة لتناول عقار لیبونكس,

فیرجى استشارة الطبیب أو الصیدلي الخاص بك.

 

إذا تناولت كمیة من عقار لیبونكس أكثر مما یجب (جرعة زائدة)

إذا كنت قد تناولت كمیة كبیرة جدًّا من الأقراص بطریق الخطأ، فتحدَّث إلى

طبیبك أو الصیدلي الخاص بك على الفور. فقد تحتاج إلى الرعایة الطبیة.

 

إذا أغفلت تناوُل عقار لیبونكس

إذا نسیت تناول جرعة، فتناول جرعة أخرى بمجرد أن تتذكر. ومع ذلك، إذا

كان وقت الجرعة التَّالیة قد حان، أو كان متبقیًا على وقتھا أقل من 4 ساعات،

فتجاوز الأقراص الفائتة وتناول جرعتك التَّالیة في الوقت المعتاد.

لا تستخدم جرعة مضاعفة من عقار لیبونكس لتعویض الجرعة التي أغفلتھا.

إذا لم تكن قد تناولت عقار لیبونكس لأكثر من یومین، فلا تستأنف تناول

الدَّواء واتصل بالطبیب بأسرع ما یمكن.

 

إذا توقفت عن تناول عقار لیبونكس

خطر الإصابة بآثار الانسحاب

لا تتوقف فجأة عن استخدام عقار لیبونكس.

إذا استلزم الأمر التوقف عن تناول ھذا الدَّواء لأي سبب من الأسباب، فسیقوم

طبیبك بتقلیل الجرعة تدریجیًّا على مدار أسبوع إلى أسبوعین تفادیًا لحدوث

آثار جانبیة. فالتَّوقف فجأة عن تناول عقار لیبونكس أو تخفیض الجرعة بسرعة

من شأنھ أن یسبب آثارًا جانبیة.

لھذا السبب، من المھم للغایة، أن تتمكن أنت ومن یعتني بك من التعرف على

علامات انسحاب عقار لیبونكس من الجسم.

إذا كان الإیقاف المفاجئ عن تناول عقار لیبونكس أمرًا ضروریًّا، فربما یعاني

المریض من أعراض الذھان وأعراض الانسحاب من الجسم مثل: زیادة التعرق،

والصداع، والغثیان، والقيء، تضیّق قصبي والإسھال.

اذا أصبت بأيٍّ من العلامات السابقة، فأخبر طبیبك فورًا. ربما تكون ھذه

العلامات متبوعة بآثار جانبیة أكثر خطورة إذا لم تعالج فورًا.

أخبر طبیبك أو الصیدلي في أسرع وقت ممكن إذا عانیت من أي أعراض غیر

متوقعة أثناء استخدامك لعقار لیبونكس، حتى إذا لم تكن تعتقد بأن لھا صلة

بتناول الدَّواء.

 

بعض الآثار الجانبیة قد تكون خطیرة وتحتاج إلى عنایة طبیة فوریة.

 

شائعة جدًّا: قد تُؤثر في أكثر من 10 في كل 100 مریض.

تسارع ضربات القلب.

 

شائعة: قد تُؤثر ھذه الآثار الجانبیة في ما بین 1 و 10 في كل 100 مریض.

علامات حدوث عدوى مثل: الحُمى أو الرعشة الشدیدة أو التھاب الحلق

أو قُرح الفم. قد یُؤدي عقار لیبونكس إلى انخفاض عدد كرات الدَّم البیضاء

في دمك ویؤدي إلى زیادة الحساسیة للعدوى.

• نوبات تشنجیة.

• ارتفاع مستوى نوع معین من خلایا الدَّم البیضاء، زیادة عدد خلایا الدَّم البیضاء.

• فقدان الوعي (الغیبوبة).

 

غیر شائعة: قد تُؤثر في ما بین 1 و 10 في كل 1000 مریض.

• حمى، تقلصات عضلیة، تذبذب في ضغط الدَّم، تَوَھان، ارتباك.

 

نادرة: قد تُؤثر في ما بین 1 و 10 في كل 10000 مریض

• انخفاض شدید في ضغط الدَّم.

• ألم في الصدر ناجم عن التھاب عضلة القلب.

• ألم في الصدر ناجم عن التھاب البطانة الخارجیة للقلب.

• تجلط الدَّم.

• انخفاض مستوى خلایا الدَّم الحمراء.

• دخول الطعام إلى الرئة.

 

علامات على وجود عدوى بالجھاز التنفسي أو الالتھاب الرئوي مثل:

الحمى، السعال، صعوبة التَّنفس، الأزیز بالصدر.

• ألم بالبطن ناتج عن التھاب البنكریاس.

• اصفرار بالجلد والعینین، غثیان، و/ أو فقدان الشھیة، بول ذو لون داكن

علامة على اضطرابات الكبد، التھاب الكبد.

نادرة جدًّا: قد تُؤثر في أقل من 1 في كل 10,000 مریض.

• نزیف تلقائي أو علامات كدمات محتملة تشیر إلى انخفاض عدد صفائح الدَّم.

• ارتفاع مستویات الصفائح في الدَّم.

• توھان/ ارتباك، غثیان/ قيء، تبول زائد، ألم بالبطن مصحوب بارتفاع

مستوى السكر في الدَّم.

• ألم في الصدر، عدم انتظام ضربات القلب وفشل القلب.

• ضیق التنفس وضحالته.

• الشعور بالإعیاء، القيء المصحوب بإمساك شدید/ مطول.

• اصفرار البشرة نتیجة الإصابة بالتھاب شدید بالكبد، ألم بالبطن.

• التھاب الكُلى.

• انتصاب العضو الذكري لمدة طویلة.

• وفاة مفاجئة غیر معروفة الأسباب.

• مشاكل في وظائف الكلى.

نسبة التكرار غیر معروفة: الآثار الجانبیة التَّالیة ربما تحدث أیضًا، ولكن معدل

تكرارھا غیر معروف

• زیادة التَّعرق، الصداع، الغثیان، القيء والإسھال (أعراض متلازمة الفعل

الكولیني).

• السقوط نتیجة نوبات التشنج الناجمة عن العلاج بعقار لیبونكس، النعاس،

الإغماء، ضعف العضلات.

• ألم في الصدر قد یكون عرضًا لنوبة قلبیة وربما یؤدي إلى الوفاة.

• ألم في الصدر قد یكون علامة على التھاب عضلة القلب وربما یؤدي إلى

الوفاة.

• ألم ساحق في الصدر (علامات على عدم تدفق الدَّم والأكسجین إلى عضلة

القلب بشكل كافٍ(.

• ألم في الصدر، سُعال، فُواق، تسارع التنفس (علامات على تجمع السوائل

بین طبقات الأنسجة التي تبطن تجویف الصدر والرئتین).

• شعور متقطع ب "الارتطام"، "الطرق"، أو "الرفرفة" في الصدر

(الخفقان).

• تسارع ضربات القلب وعدم انتظامھا (رجفان أذیني). وربما یحدث أحیانًا:

خفقان، إغماء، ضیق في التَّنفس، أو شعور غیر مریح بالصدر.

• انخفاض ضغط الدَّم.

• الفشل الكُلوي.

• ألم في البطن وإمساك، قد یكون علامة على توسع غیر طبیعي بالأمعاء

الغلیظة وربما یؤدي إلى الوفاة.

• ألم في البطن قد یكون علامة على تكسر جزء من الأمعاء بسبب ضعف

تزوده بالدَّم وربما یؤدي إلى الوفاة.

• ألم بالبطن مصحوب بحمى و/أو إمساك أو إسھال دموي كأعراض محتملة

لمرض معوي قد یكون مھدداً للحیاة.

• تقلصات عضلیة، حمى، تبول بول أحمر یمیل إلى البني وقد تكون ھذه

علامات على انحلال غیر طبیعي بالعضلات (انحلال الربیدات(.

• درجات متفاوتة من الألم في الصدر والبطن قد تكون علامة على التھاب

الأغشیة بشكل متزامن في تجاویف كثیرة بالجسم مثل تلك الموجودة في

الصدر والبطن والمفاصل.

• اضطرابات في الكبد تشمل مرض الكبد الدھني، موت خلایا الكبد، إصابة/

تسمم الكبد.

• اضطرابات في الكبد تنطوي على استبدل نسیج الكبد الطبیعي بنسیج به ندبات مما

یؤدي إلى فقدان الكبد لوظائفه، بما في ذلك أعراضٌ كبدیة لھا عواقب مھددة للحیاة

مثل الفشل الكبدي (الذي قد یُؤدي إلى الوفاة)،

إصابة الكبد (إصابة خلایا الكبد، أو القناة الصفراویة بالكبد أو كلیھما)، وزراعة الكبد.

• عدوى محققة أو مشتبه بھا بشدة مصحوبة بحمى أو انخفاض درجة حرارة

الجسم، تسارع التنفس بشكل غیر طبیعي، تسارع ضربات القلب، تغیر في

الاستجابة والوعي، انخفاض في ضغط الدَّم (تعفن الدم).

• توقفات في التنفس أو فترات من التنفس الضحل أثناء النوم.

• تفاعل حساسیة (تورُّم بشكل أساسي في الوجه والفم والحَلْق، بالإضافة إلى

اللسان، وقد یكون مصحوبًا بحكة أو مؤلمًا(.

• طفح جلدي مصحوب بحمى

أخبر طبیبك فورًا إذا عانیت من أو لاحظت أیًّا منھا.

بعض الآثار الجانبیة تكون شائعة جدًّا

قد تُؤثر على أكثر من 10 في كل 100 مریض.

• نعاس.

• دوخة.

• إمساك، ویجب إخبار الطبیب إذا ساء الإمساك.

• زیادة إفراز اللعاب.

 

بعض الآثار الجانبیة تكون شائعة

قد تُؤثر ھذه الآثار الجانبیة في ما بین 1 و 10 في كل 100 مریض.

• زیادة الوزن.

• تداخل الكلام.

• حركات غیر طبیعیة، عدم القدرة على بدء الحركة، عدم القدرة على البقاء

ساكنًا (بلا حركة) شعور داخلي بالتململ (عدم الارتیاح)، تصلب الأطراف،

ارتجاف الیدین.

• ارتعاش/ ارتجاف.

• تصلب العضلات.

• صداع.

• عدم وضوح الرؤیة، صعوبات في القراءة.

• تغییرات في رسم القلب الكھربائي بجھاز القلب.

• شعور بخفة الرأس عند الوقوف بسبب انخفاض ضغط الدَّم.

• ارتفاع ضغط الدَّم.

• غثیان، قيء، جفاف الفم.

• ارتفاع إنزیمات الكبد.

• مشاكل في التبول أو إمساك البول.

• حمّى.

• تعب.

 

بعض الآثار الجانبیة تكون غیر شائعة

قد تُؤثر في ما بین 1 و 10 في كل 1000 مریض

• التَلَعثُم في الكلام.

 

بعض الآثار الجانبیة تكون شائعة.

قد تُؤثر في ما بین 1 و 10 في كل 10000 مریض

• العطش الزَّائد، جفاف الفم وتبول كمیات كبیرة من البول وقد تكون ھذه

علامات على ارتفاع مستویات السكر في الدَّم (مرض السُّكَّرِيّ) .

أخبر طبیبك بأسرع ما یمكن إذا عانیت من أيٍّ من ھذه الآثار؛ لأنَّ

لیبونكس ربما یؤدي إلى الإصابة بمرض السُّكَّرِيّ أو تدھوره.

• ارتباك.

• عدم انتظام ضربات القلب.

• صعوبة البلع.

• زیادة إنزیمات العضلات.

 

بعض الآثار الجانبیة تكون شائعة جدًّا

قد تُؤثر على أقل من 1 في كل 10,000 مریض

• ارتفاع الكولیسترول.

• ارتفاع مستوى الأحماض الدھنیة في الدَّم.

• حركات لا إرادیة بلا ھدف مثل: التجھم، تمطق الشفتین، الرمش بسرعة.

• أفكار وسلوكیات قھریة.

• تورُّم الغدد في الخدود.

• التفاعلات الجلدیة.

 

بعض الآثار الجانبیة الأخرى ربما تحدث ھي الأخرى، ولكن معدل تكرارھا

غیر معروف

• تغییرات في جھاز قیاس موجات الدماغ (رسم الدماغ الكھربائي).

• إسھال.

• اضطراب المعدة، حموضة (حُرْقَةُ الفُؤاد)، اضطراب المعدة بعد الأكل.

• ضعف العضلات.

• تقلصات عضلیة.

• ألم في العضلات.

• انسداد الأنف.

• التبول اللیلي اللا إرادي.

• طفح جلدي، ظھور بقع أرجوانیة، حمى أو حكة ناجمة عن التھاب الأوعیة الدَّمویة.

• التھاب القولون الذي یؤدي إلى حدوث إسھال، ألم في البطن، حمى.

• تغییر في لون الجلد.

• طفح جلدي بالوجه "على شكل الفراشة"، ألم في المفاصل، ألم في

العضلات، حمى وتعب (الذئبة الحمامیة).

• ارتفاع مفاجئ في ضغط الدَّم، لا یمكن السیطرة علیھ (ورم القواتم الزائف).

• انحناء الجسم بشكل لا یمكن التَّحكم فیه إلى أحد الجوانب (التقوس الجانبي).

• زیادة الوزن بشكل مفرط (كأن یكون وزن الجسم أثقل مما ینبغي بنسبة

٪20 على الأقل).

• اضطراب في القذف، لدى الذكور؛ حیث یدخل السائل المنوي المثانة بدلً

من أن یقذف عبر العضو الذكري (نشوة جنسیة جافة "بدون قذف" أو قذف مرتجع).

• رغبة قویة في تحریك الساقین (متلازمة تململ الساقین) یرافقه شعور غیر

مریح في الساقین.

إذا كان أيٌّ من ھذه الآثار یُؤثر علیك بشدة، فأخبر طبیبك. إذا لاحظت أیة

آثار جانبیة غیر المذكورة في ھذه النَّشرة، یُرجى إبلاغ الطبیب أو الصیدلي الخاص بك.

• یحفظ عقار لیبونكس بعیدًا عن متناول ورؤیة الأطفال.

• یحفظ داخل العبوة الأصلیة.

• لا یُستخدم عقار لیبونكس بعد انتھاء تاریخ الصلاحیة الموضح على العبوة.

• لا تستخدم عقار لیبونكس إذا كانت العبوة تالفة أو تظھر علیھا علامات العبث.

• لا تقم بتخزین عقار لیبونكس في درجة حرارة تتعدى 30 درجة مئویة.

المادة الفعالة في عقار لیبونكس ھي كلوزابین.

• المكونات الأخرى غیر الفعالة ھي: ستیرات الماغنیسیوم، سیلیكا غرویة لا

مائیة، بوفیدون، تلك، نشا الذرة، لاكتوز أحادي الھیدرات.

 

ما ھو شكل عقار لیبونكس؟ وما ھي محتویات العبوة؟

یتوفر عقار لیبونكس على ھیئة أقراص في عبوة تحتوي على 50 قرصًا.

یحتوي كل قرص على 25 مجم أو 100 مجم كلوزابین. یمكن تقسیم الأقراص

إلى نصفین متساویین.

 

مالك حق التَّسویق

میلان فارما ش.ذ.م.م

ترمستراس 24

6312 شتاینھاوسن، سویسرا،

 

جھة التَّصنیع

ماداوس ذات المسؤولیة المحدودة

لوتیشار ستاربا 5

53842 ترویسدورف

ألمانیا

یونیو – 2021
 Read this leaflet carefully before you start using this product as it contains important information for you

Leponex

25 mg Tablet: Each tablet contains 25 mg clozapine. 100 mg Tablet: Each tablet contains 100 mg clozapine. For a full list of excipients, see section 6.1.

Tablets. The scored tablets can be divided into equal halves.

  • Treatment-resistant schizophrenia

Leponex is indicated in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia, i.e. patients with schizophrenia who are non-responsive to or intolerant of classic antipsychotics.
Non-responsiveness is defined as a lack of satisfactory clinical improvement despite the use of adequate doses of at least two marketed antipsychotics prescribed for adequate durations.
Intolerance is defined as the impossibility of achieving adequate clinical benefit with classic antipsychotics because of severe and untreatable neurological adverse reactions (extrapyramidal side effects or tardive dyskinesia).

  • Risk of recurrent suicidal behavior

Leponex is indicated for reducing the risk of recurrent suicidal behavior in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who are judged to be at chronic risk for reexperiencing suicidal behavior, based on history and recent clinical state. Suicidal behavior refers to actions by a patient that put him/herself at high risk for death.

  • Psychosis during the course of Parkinson’s disease

Leponex is indicated in psychotic disorders occurring during the course of Parkinson's disease, in cases where standard treatment has failed. The failure of standard treatment is defined as the lack of control of the psychotic symptoms and/or the onset of functionally unacceptable motoric deterioration occurring after the following measures have been taken:

  • Withdrawal of anti-cholinergic medication including tricyclic anti-depressants
  • Attempt to reduce the dose of antiparkinsonian medication with dopaminergic effect

Dosage information
The dosage must be adjusted individually. For each patient the lowest effective dose should be used. Cautious titration and a divided dosage schedule are necessary to minimize the risks of hypotension, seizure, and sedation.
Initiation of Leponex treatment must be restricted to those patients with a WBC count 3500/mm³ (3.5 x 109/L) and an ANC ³2000/mm³ (2.0 x 109/L), and within standardized normal limits.
Dose adjustment is indicated in patients who are also receiving medicinal products that have pharmacokinetic interactions with clozapine, such as benzodiazepines or selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (see section INTERACTIONS).

Method of administration
Leponex is administered orally.
Switching from a previous antipsychotic therapy to Leponex
It is generally recommended that Leponex should not be used in combination with other antipsychotics. When Leponex therapy is to be initiated in a patient undergoing oral
antipsychotic therapy, it is recommended that the dosage of other antipsychotics be reduced or discontinued by gradually tapering it downwards. Based on the clinical circumstances, the prescribing physician should judge whether or not to discontinue the other antipsychotic therapy before initiating treatment with Leponex.

Treatment resistant schizophrenia
Starting therapy

Leponex should be started with 12.5 mg (half a 25 mg tablet) once or twice on the first day, followed by one or two 25 mg tablets on the second day. If well tolerated, the daily dose may then be increased slowly in increments of 25 mg to 50 mg in order to achieve a dose level of up to 300 mg/day within 2 to 3 weeks. Thereafter, if required, the daily dose may be further increased in increments of 50 mg to 100 mg at half-weekly or, preferably, weekly intervals.
Therapeutic dose range
In most patients, antipsychotic efficacy can be expected with 300 to 450 mg/day given in divided doses. Some patients may be treated with lower doses, and some patients may require doses up to 600 mg/day. The total daily dose may be divided unevenly, with the larger portion being taken at bedtime.

Maximum dose
To obtain full therapeutic benefit, a few patients may require larger doses, in which case judicious increments (not exceeding 100 mg) are permissible up to 900 mg/day. However the possibility of increased adverse reactions (in particular seizures) occurring at doses over 450 mg/day must be borne in mind.
Maintenance dose
After achieving maximum therapeutic benefit, many patients can be maintained effectively on lower doses. Careful downward titration is therefore recommended. Treatment should be maintained for at least 6 months. If the daily dose does not exceed 200 mg, once daily administration in the evening may be appropriate.
Ending therapy
In the event of planned termination of Leponex therapy, a gradual reduction in dose over a 1- to 2-week period is recommended. If abrupt discontinuation is necessary (e.g. because of leucopenia), the patient should be carefully observed for the recurrence of psychotic symptoms and symptoms related to cholinergic rebound (see section WARNINGS AND
PRECAUTIONS).

Restarting therapy
In patients in whom the interval since the last dose of Leponex exceeds 2 days, treatment should be re-initiated with 12.5 mg (half a 25-mg tablet) given once or twice on the first day. If this dose is well tolerated, it may be feasible to titrate the dose to the therapeutic level more quickly than is recommended for initial treatment. However, in any patient who has previously experienced respiratory or cardiac arrest with initial dosing (see section WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS), but was then able to be successfully titrated to a therapeutic dose, re-titration should be done with extreme caution.

Reducing the risk of suicidal behavior in schizophrenia and schizoaffective disorder
The dosage and administration recommendations described in the preceding subsection regarding the use of Leponex in patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia should also be followed when treating patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder at risk for recurrent suicidal behaviour.

A course of treatment with Leponex of at least two years is recommended in order to maintain the reduction of risk for suicidal behaviour. It is recommended that the patient’s risk of suicidal behaviour be reassessed after two years of treatment and that thereafter the decision to continue treatment with Leponex be re-visited at regular intervals, based on thorough assessments of patient’s risk for suicidal behaviour during treatment.

Psychotic disorders occurring during the course of Parkinson's disease, in cases where standard treatment has failed
Starting therapy

The starting dose must not exceed 12.5 mg/day (half a 25 mg tablet), taken in the evening. Subsequent dose increases must be by 12.5 mg increments, with a maximum of two increments a week up to a maximum of 50 mg, a dose that cannot be reached until the end of the second week. The total daily amount should preferably be given as a single dose in the evening.
Therapeutic dose range
The mean effective dose is usually between 25 and 37.5 mg/day. In the event that treatment for at least one week with a dose of 50 mg fails to provide a satisfactory therapeutic response, dosage may be cautiously increased by increments of 12.5 mg/week.

Maximum dose
The dose of 50 mg/day should only be exceeded in exceptional cases, and the maximum dose of 100 mg/day must never be exceeded.
Dose increases should be limited or deferred if orthostatic hypotension, excessive sedation or confusion occurs. Blood pressure should be monitored during the first weeks of treatment.
Maintenance dose
When there has been complete remission of psychotic symptoms for at least 2 weeks, an increase in anti-parkinsonian medication is possible if indicated on the basis of motor status. If this approach results in the recurrence of psychotic symptoms, Leponex dosage may be increased by increments of 12.5 mg/week up to a maximum of 100 mg/day, taken in one or two divided doses (see above).

Ending therapy
When ending therapy, a gradual reduction in dose by steps of 12.5 mg over a period of at least one week (preferably two) is recommended.

Treatment must be discontinued immediately in the event of neutropenia or agranulocytosis as indicated in section (WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS). In this situation, careful psychiatric monitoring of the patient is essential since symptoms may recur quickly.
Special populations
Cardiovascular disorders

In patients suffering from cardiovascular disorders (note: severe cardiovascular disorders are contraindications) the initial dose should be 12.5 mg given once on the first day, and dosage increase should be slow and in small increments.

Renal impairment
In patients with mild to moderate renal impairment the initial dose should be 12.5 mg given once on the first day, and dosage increase should be slow and in small increments.
Hepatic impairment
Patients with hepatic impairment should receive Leponex with caution along with regular monitoring of liver function tests (see section WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS).
Pediatrics
No pediatric studies have been performed. The safety and efficacy of Leponex in children and adolescents have not been established.

Patients 60 years of age and older
It is recommended that treatment in patients 60 years and older is initiated at a particularly low dose (12.5 mg given once on the first day) with subsequent dose increments restricted to 25 mg/day.


- Known hypersensitivity to clozapine or to any of the excipients of Leponex. - Patients unable to undergo regular blood tests. - History of toxic or idiosyncratic granulocytopenia/agranulocytosis (with the exception of granulocytopenia/agranulocytosis from previous chemotherapy). - Impaired bone marrow function. - Uncontrolled epilepsy. - Alcoholic and other toxic psychoses, drug intoxication, comatose conditions - Circulatory collapse and/or CNS depression of any cause. - Severe renal or cardiac disorders (e.g. myocarditis). - Active liver disease associated with nausea, anorexia or jaundice; progressive liver disease, hepatic failure - Paralytic ileus.

Special precautionary measure
Agranulocytosis

Because of the association of Leponex with agranulocytosis, the following precautionary measures are mandatory:

  • Drugs known to have a substantial potential to depress bone marrow function should not be used concurrently with Leponex. In addition, the concomitant use of long-acting depot antipsychotics should be avoided because of the impossibility of removing these medications, which may be potentially myelosuppressive, from the body rapidly in situations where this may be required, e.g. granulocytopenia.
  • Patients with a history of primary bone marrow disorders may be treated only if the benefit outweighs the risk. They should be carefully reviewed by a haematologist prior to starting Leponex.
  • Patients who have low white blood cell (WBC) counts because of benign ethnic neutropenia should be given special consideration and may be started on Leponex after agreement of a haematologist.

Leponex must be dispensed under strict medical supervision in accordance with official recommendations.

White Blood Cell (WBC) counts and Absolute Neutrophil Count (ANC) monitoring
White blood cell count (WBC) and differential blood counts must be performed within 10 days prior to starting Leponex treatment to ensure that only patients with normal leukocyte (WBC ≥3500/mm3 (≥3.5 x 109/L)) and absolute neutrophil counts (ANC ³2000/mm3 (≥2.0 x 109/L)) will receive Leponex. After the start of Leponex treatment, regular WBC count and ANC must be performed and monitored weekly for 18 weeks, and thereafter at least every four weeks throughout treatment, and for 4 weeks after complete discontinuation of Leponex. Prescribing physicians should comply fully with the required safety measures. At each consultation, the patient should be reminded to contact the treating physician immediately if any kind of infection begins to develop. Particular attention should be paid to flu-like complaints such as, fever or sore throat and to other evidence of infection, which may be indicative of neutropenia. A differential blood count must be performed immediately if any symptoms or signs of an infection occur.

Low WBC count and/or ANC
If during the first 18 weeks of Leponex therapy, the WBC count falls to between 3500/mm3 and 3000/mm3 and/or the ANC falls to between 2000/mm3 and 1500/mm3, haematological evaluations must be performed at least twice weekly.

After 18 weeks of Leponex therapy, haematological evaluations should be performed at least twice weekly if the WBC count falls to between 3000/mm3 and 2500/mm3 and/or the ANC falls to between 1500/mm3 and 1000/mm3.
In addition, if, during Leponex therapy, the WBC count is found to have dropped by a substantial amount from baseline, a repeat WBC count and a differential blood count should be
performed. A substantial drop is defined as a single drop of 3000 mm3 or more in the WBC count or a cumulative drop of 3000 mm3 or more within three weeks.
Immediate discontinuation of Leponex is mandatory if the WBC count is less than 3000/mm3 or the ANC is less than 1500/mm3 during the first 18 weeks of therapy, or if the WBC count is less than 2500/mm3 or the ANC is less than 1000/mm3 after the first 18 weeks of therapy. WBC counts and differential blood counts should then be performed daily and patients should be carefully monitored for flu-like symptoms or other symptoms suggestive of infection. Following discontinuation of Leponex, haematological evaluation is required until haematological recovery has occurred.

If Leponex has been withdrawn and WBC count falls further to below 2000/mm3 and/or the ANC falls below 1000/mm3, the management of this condition must be guided by an
experienced haematologist. If possible, the patient should be referred to a specialised haematological unit, where protective isolation and the administration of GM-CSF (granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor) or G-CSF (granulocyte colony stimulating factor) may be indicated. It is recommended that the colony stimulating factor therapy be discontinued when the neutrophil count has returned to a level above 1000/mm3.

Patients in whom Leponex has been discontinued as a result of white blood cell deficiencies (see above) must not be re-exposed to Leponex. It is recommended that the haematological values be confirmed by performing two blood counts on two consecutive days; however, Leponex should be discontinued after the first blood count.

Table 1: Blood monitoring during the first 18 weeks of Leponex therapy

Blood cell count

Action required

WBC/mm³ (/L)

ANC/mm³ (/L)

≥3500 (≥3.5 x 10⁹)

≥2000 (≥2.0 x 10⁹)

Continue Leponex treatment.

Between ≥3000 and <3500 (≥3.0

x 10⁹ and <3.5 x 10⁹)

Between ≥1500 and <2000

(≥1.5 x 10⁹ and <2.0 x 10⁹)

Continue Leponex treatment, sample blood twice weekly until counts stabilize orincrease.

<3000 (<3.0 x 10⁹)

<1500 (<1.5 x 10⁹)

Immediately stop Leponex treatment, sample blood daily until hematological abnormality is resolved, monitor for infection.

Do not re-expose the patient.

 

Table 2: Blood monitoring after 18 weeks of Leponex therapy

 

Blood cell count

Action required

WBC/mm³ (/L)

ANC/mm³ (/L)

≥3000 (≥3.0 x 10⁹)

≥1500 (≥1.5 x 10⁹)

Continue Leponex treatment.

Between ≥2500 and <3000 (≥2.5

x 10⁹ and <3.0 x 10⁹)

Between ≥1000 and <1500

(≥1.0 x 10⁹ and <1.5 x 10⁹)

Continue Leponex treatment, sample blood twice weekly until counts stabilize or increase.

<2500 (<2.5 x 10⁹)

<1000 (<1.0 x 10⁹)

Immediately stop Leponex treatment, sample blood daily until hematological abnormality is resolved, monitor for infection.

Do not re-expose the patient.

 

In the event of interruption of therapy for non-hematological reasons
Patients who have been on Leponex for more than 18 weeks and have had their treatment interrupted for more than 3 days but less than 4 weeks should have their WBC count and ANC monitored weekly for an additional 6 weeks. If no hematological abnormality occurs, monitoring at intervals not exceeding 4 weeks may be resumed. If Leponex treatment has been interrupted for 4 weeks or longer, weekly monitoring is required for the next 18 weeks of treatment (see section DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

Other precautions
Eosinophilia

In the event of eosinophilia, discontinuation of Leponex is recommended if the eosinophil count rises above 3000/mm3. Therapy should be re-started only after the eosinophil count has fallen below 1000/mm3.
Thrombocytopenia
In the event of thrombocytopenia, discontinuation of Leponex is recommended if the platelet count falls below 50 000/mm3.

Cardiovascular disorders
In patients suffering from cardiovascular disorders (note: severe cardiovascular disorders are contraindications) the initial dose should be 12.5 mg given once on the first day, and dosage increase should be slow and in small increments (see section DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
Orthostatic hypotension, with or without syncope, can occur during Leponex treatment. Rarely (about one case per 3000 Leponex-treated patients), collapse can be profound and may be accompanied by cardiac and/or respiratory arrest. Such events are more likely to occur during initial titration in association with rapid dose escalation; on very rare occasions they occurred even after the first dose. Therefore, patients commencing Leponex treatment require close medical supervision.
Myocarditis and Cardiomyopathy, Tachycardia that persists at rest, accompanied by arrhythmias, shortness of breath or signs and symptoms of heart failure, may rarely occur during the first month of treatment and very rarely thereafter. The occurrence of these signs and symptoms necessitates an urgent diagnostic evaluation for myocarditis, especially during the titration period. If the diagnosis of myocarditis is confirmed, Leponex should be discontinued. There have been postmarketing reports of myocarditis including fatal cases. Later in treatment, the same signs and symptoms may very rarely occur and may be linked to cardiomyopathy.

Further investigation should be performed and if the diagnosis is confirmed, the treatment should be stopped unless the benefit clearly outweighs the risk to the patient.
In patients who are diagnosed with cardiomyopathy while on Leponex/Clozaril treatment, there is potential to develop mitral valve incompetence. Mitral valve incompetence has been reported in cases of cardiomyopathy related to Leponex/Clozaril treatment. These cases of mitral valve incompetence reported either mild or moderate mitral regurgitation on twodimensional echocardiography (2DEcho) (see section ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS). Monitoring of standing and supine blood pressure is necessary during the first weeks of
treatment in patients with Parkinson’s disease.

Myocardial infarction
There have been postmarketing reports of myocardial infarction including fatal cases. Causality assessment was difficult in the majority of these cases because of serious pre-existing cardiac disease and plausible alternative causes.

QT interval prolongation
As with other antipsychotics, caution is advised in patients with known cardiovascular disease or family history of QT prolongation.As with other antipsychotics, caution should be exercised when Leponex is prescribed with medicines known to increase the QTc interval.

Cerebrovascular adverse events
An increased risk of cerebrovascular adverse events has been seen in the dementia population with some atypical antipsychotics. The mechanism for this increased risk is not known. An increased risk cannot be excluded for other antipsychotics or other patient populations. Leponex should be used with caution in patients with risk factors for stroke.

Risk of thromboembolism
Since Leponex may cause sedation and weight gain, thereby increasing the risk of thromboembolism, immobilization of patients should be avoided.
Metabolic changes
Atypical antipsychotic drugs, including Leponex, have been associated with metabolic changes that may increase cardiovascular/cerebrovascular risk. These metabolic changes may include hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, and body weight gain. While atypical antipsychotic drugs may produce some metabolic changes, each drug in the class has its own specific risk profile.
Hyperglycemia
On rare occasions, severe hyperglycemia, sometimes leading to ketoacidosis/hyperosmolar coma, has been reported during Leponex treatment in patients with no prior history of
hyperglycemia. While a causal relationship to Leponex use has not been definitely established,glucose levels returned to normal in most patients after discontinuation of Leponex, and rechallenge produced a recurrence of hyperglycemia in a few cases. The effect of Leponex on glucose metabolism in patients with diabetes mellitus has not been studied. Impaired glucose tolerance, severe hyperglycemia, ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar coma have been reported in patients with no prior history of hyperglycemia. Patients with an established diagnosis of diabetes mellitus who are started on atypical antipsychotics should be monitored regularly for worsening of glucose control. Patients with risk factors for diabetes mellitus (e.g., obesity, family history of diabetes) who are starting treatment with atypical antipsychotics should undergo fasting blood glucose testing at the beginning of treatment and periodically during treatment. Exacerbation should be considered in patients receiving Leponex who develop symptoms of hyperglycemia, such as polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia or weakness. Patients who develop symptoms of hyperglycemia during treatment with atypical antipsychotics should undergo fasting blood glucose testing. In some cases, hyperglycemia has resolved when the atypical antipsychotic was discontinued; however, some patients required continuation of antidiabetic treatment despite discontinuation of the suspect drug. In patients with significant treatment-emergent hyperglycemia, discontinuation of Leponex should be considered. There is a risk of altering the metabolic balance resulting in slight impairment of glucose homeostasis and a possibility of unmasking a pre-diabetic condition or aggravating pre-existing diabetes.

Dyslipidemia
Undesirable alterations in lipids have been observed in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics, including Leponex. Clinical monitoring, including baseline and periodic followup
lipid evaluations in patients using clozapine, is recommended.

Weight gain
Weight gain has been observed with atypical antipsychotic use, including Leponex. Clinical monitoring of weight is recommended.
Seizures
Leponex may lower seizure threshold. In patients with a history of seizures the initial dose should be 12.5 mg given once on the first day, and dosage increase should be slow and in small increments (see section DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).
Anticholinergic effects
Clozapine exerts anticholinergic activity, which may produce undesirable effects throughout the body. Careful supervision is indicated in the presence of prostatic enlargement and narrowangle glaucoma. Probably on account of its anticholinergic properties, Leponex has been associated with varying degrees of impairment of intestinal peristalsis, ranging from
constipation to intestinal obstruction, fecal impaction, paralytic ileus, megacolon and intestinal infarction/ischaemia (see section ADVERSE DRUG REACTIONS). On rare occasions these cases have proved fatal.

To avoid complications, careful monitoring during treatment with Leponex is recommended for the early detection of incipient constipation, followed by effective treatment of such
constipation. Particular caution is necessary in patients with a history of colonic disease or a history of lower abdominal surgery, receiving concomitant medications known to cause constipation (especially those with anticholinergic properties, e.g. various antipsychotic agents, antidepressants and antiparkinsonian agents), as these may exacerbate the situation. It is vital that constipation be recognised and actively treated. Special precautions should be observed when considering co-administration with benzodiazepines (or other centrally-acting drugs; see “Interactions”).

Fever
During Leponex therapy, patients may experience transient temperature elevations above 38°C, with the peak incidence within the first 3 weeks of treatment. This fever is generally benign. Occasionally, it may be associated with an increase or decrease in the WBC count. Patients with fever should be carefully evaluated to rule out the possibility of an underlying infection or the development of agranulocytosis. In the presence of high fever, the possibility of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) must be considered. If the diagnosis of NMS is confirmed,
Leponex should be discontinued immediately and appropriate medical measures should be administered.
Falls
Leponex may cause seizures, somnolence, postural hypotension, motor and sensory instability, which may lead to falls and, consequently, fractures or other injuries. For patients with diseases, conditions, or medications that could exacerbate these effects, complete fall risk assessments when initiating antipsychotic treatment and recurrently for patients on long-term antipsychotic therapy.

Special populations
Hepatic impairment

Patients with stable pre-existing liver disorders may receive Leponex, but must undergo regular liver function tests. Such tests should be performed immediately in patients who develop symptoms of possible liver dysfunction such as nausea, vomiting and/or anorexia during Leponex treatment. If the elevation of the values is clinically relevant or if symptoms of jaundice occur, treatment with Leponex must be discontinued. It may be resumed (see section DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION - Re-starting therapy) only when the results of liver function tests are normal. In such cases, liver function should be closely monitored after reintroduction of Leponex.
Renal impairment
In patients suffering from mild to moderate renal impairment, an initial dose of 12.5 mg/day (half a 25 mg tablet) is recommended (see section DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION).

Patients aged 60 years and older
It is recommended that treatment be initiated at a particularly low dose (12.5 mg given once on the first day) and subsequent dose increments be restricted to 25 mg/day.
Clinical studies with Leponex did not include sufficient numbers of subjects aged 60 years and over to determine whether or not they respond differently from younger subjects.
Orthostatic hypotension can occur with Leponex treatment and there have been rare reports of tachycardia, which may be sustained, in patients taking Leponex. Patients aged 60 years and older, particularly those with compromised cardiovascular function, may be more susceptible to these effects.
Patients aged 60 years and older may also be particularly susceptible to the anticholinergic effects of clozapine, such as urinary retention and constipation.

Patients aged 60 years and older with Dementia-related Psychosis
In patients aged 60 years and older with dementia-related psychosis, the efficacy and safety of clozapine has not been studied. Observational studies suggest that patients aged 60 years and older with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. In the published literature, risk factors that may predispose this patient population to increased risk of death when treated with antipsychotics include sedation, the presence of cardiac conditions (e.g. cardiac arrhythmias) or pulmonary conditions (e.g. pneumonia, with or without aspiration). Leponex should be used with caution in patients aged 60 years and older with dementia.

Rebound, withdrawal effects
If abrupt discontinuation of Leponex is necessary (e.g. because of leucopenia), the patient should be carefully observed for the recurrence of psychotic symptoms and symptoms related to cholinergic rebound such as profuse sweating, headache, nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.


Anticipated pharmacodynamic interactions resulting in concomitant use not being recommended
Medicinal products known to have a substantial potential to depress bone marrow function should not be used concurrently with Leponex (see section WARNINGS AND
PRECAUTIONS). As with other antipsychotics, caution should be exercised when Leponex is prescribed with medicines known to increase the QTc interval, or causing electrolyte imbalance.
Observed pharmacodynamic interactions to be considered
Particular caution is recommended when Leponex therapy is initiated in patients who are receiving (or have recently received) a benzodiazepine or any other psychotropic agent, as these patients may have an increased risk of circulatory collapse, which, on rare occasions, can be profound and may lead to cardiac and/or respiratory arrest. Concomitant use of lithium or other CNS-active agents may increase the risk of development of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).

Rare but serious reports of seizures, including onset of seizures in non-epileptic patients, and isolated cases of delirium where Leponex was co-administered with valproic acid have been reported. These effects are possibly due to a pharmacodynamic interaction, the mechanism of which has not been determined.

Anticipated pharmacodynamic interactions to be considered
Clozapine may enhance the central effects of alcohol, MAO inhibitors and CNS depressants such as narcotics, antihistamines, and benzodiazepines. Because of the possibility of additive effects, caution is essential when substances possessing anticholinergic, hypotensive, or respiratory depressant effects are given concomitantly. Owing to its anti-alpha-adrenergic properties, clozapine may reduce the blood pressureincreasing effect of norepinephrine or other predominantly alpha-adrenergic agents and reverse the pressor effect of epinephrine.

Pharmacokinetic-related interactions
Clozapine is a substrate for many CYP 450 isoenzymes, in particular 1A2 and 3A4. The risk of metabolic interactions caused by an effect on an individual isoform is therefore minimized. Nevertheless, caution is called for in patients receiving concomitant treatment with other substances that are either inhibitors or inducers of these enzymes. No clinically relevant interactions have been observed thus far with tricyclic antidepressants, phenothiazines or type 1C anti-arrhythmics, which are known to bind to cytochrome P450 2D6.

Observed pharmacokinetic interactions to be considered
Concomitant administration of substances known to induce cytochrome P450 enzymes may decrease the plasma levels of clozapine.

  • Substances known to induce the activity of 3A4 and with reported interactions withclozapine include, for instance, carbamazepine, phenytoin and rifampicin.Concomitant administration of substances known to inhibit the activity of cytochrome P450 isozymes may increase the plasma levels of clozapine.
  • Substances known to inhibit the activity of the major isozymes involved in the metabolism of clozapine and with reported interactions include, for instance, cimetidine, erythromycin(3A4), fluvoxamine (1A2), perazine (1A2), ciprofloxacin (1A2) and oral contraceptives (1A2, 3A4, 2C19).
  • The plasma concentration of clozapine is increased by caffeine (1A2) intake and decreased by nearly 50% following a 5-day caffeine-free period.
  • Elevated clozapine plasma concentrations also have been reported in patients receiving the substances in combination with selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs) such as paroxetine (1A2), sertraline, fluoxetine or citalopram.

Anticipated pharmacokinetic interactions to be considered
Concomitant administration of substances known to induce cytochrome P450 enzymes may
decrease the plasma levels of clozapine.

  • Known inducers of 1A2 include, for instance, omeprazole and tobacco smoke. In cases of sudden cessation of tobacco smoking, the plasma clozapine concentration may be increased,thus leading to an increase in adverse effects.

Concomitant administration of substances known to inhibit the activity of cytochrome P450
isozymes may increase the plasma levels of clozapine.

  • Potent inhibitors of CYP3A, such as azole antimycotics and protease inhibitors, could potentially also increase clozapine plasma concentrations; no interactions have been reported to date, however.

Women of child-bearing potential and contraceptive measures
Some female patients treated with antipsychotics other than Leponex may become amenorrheic. A return to normal menstruation may occur as a result of switching from other antipsychotics to Leponex. Adequate contraceptive measures must therefore be ensured in women of childbearing potential.
Pregnancy
Reproduction studies in animals have revealed no evidence of impaired fertility or harm to the fetus due to clozapine. However, the safe use of Leponex in pregnant women has not been established. Therefore, Leponex should be used in pregnancy only if the expected benefit clearly outweighs any potential risk.
Non-teratogenic effects
Neonates exposed to antipsychotic drugs, during the third trimester of pregnancy are at risk for extrapyramidal and/or withdrawal symptoms following delivery. There have been reports of agitation, hypertonia, hypotonia, tremor, somnolence, respiratory distress and feeding disorder in these neonates. These complications have varied in severity; while in some cases symptoms have been self-limited, in other cases neonates have required intensive care unit support and prolonged hospitalization. Antipsychotic drugs, including Leponex, should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus.
Breast-feeding
Animal studies suggest that clozapine is excreted in breast milk and has an effect in the suckling offspring. Therefore, mothers receiving Leponex should not breast-feed.


Owing to the ability of Leponex to cause sedation and lower the seizure threshold, activities such as driving or operating machinery should be avoided, especially during the initial week of treatment.


Summary of the safety profile
The adverse effects of clozapine are most often predictable based on its pharmacological properties with the exception of agranulocytosis (see section WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS). The most serious adverse reactions experienced with clozapine are agranulocytosis, seizure, cardiovascular effects and fever (see section WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS). The most common side effects are drowsiness/sedation, dizziness, tachycardia, constipation, and hypersalivation. Data from the clinical trials experience showed that a varying proportion of clozapine-treated patients (from 7.1 to 15.6%) were discontinued due to an adverse event, including only those that could be reasonably attributed to clozapine. The more common events considered to be causes of discontinuation were leukopenia; somnolence; dizziness (excluding vertigo); and
psychotic disorder. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) are listed by MedDRA system organ class (see Table 3). Within each system organ class, the adverse reactions are ranked by frequency, using the following convention: Very common (³1/10), common (³1/100, <1/10), uncommon (³1/1,000, <1/100), rare (³1/10,000, <1/1,000), very rare (<1/10,000), including isolated reports. Within each frequency grouping, adverse drug reactions are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Table 3: Treatment-Emergent Adverse Experience Frequency estimate fromSpontaneous and Clinical Trial Reports

 

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Leukopenia/decreased WBC/neutropenia, eosinophilia,leukocytosis

Common

Agranulocytosis

Uncommon

Anaemia, Lymphopenia

Rare

Thrombocytopenia, thrombocythemia, thrombocytosis

Very rare

 

 

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Weight gain

Common

Diabetes aggravated impaired glucose tolerance, new onset
diabetes

Rare

Hyperosmolar coma, ketoacidosis, severe hyperglycemia
hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia

Very rare

 

Psychiatric disorders

Dysarthria

Common

Dysphemia

Uncommon

Agitation, restlessness

Rare

Obsessive-compulsive disorders

Very rare

 

Nervous system disorders

Drowsiness/sedation, dizziness

Very common

Seizures/convulsions/myoclonic jerks, extrapyramidal
symptoms, akathisia, tremor, rigidity headache, rigor

Common

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome

Uncommon

Confusion, delirium

Rare

Tardive dyskinesia

Very rare

 

Eye disorders

Blurred vision

Common

 

Cardiac disorders

Tachycardia

Very common

ECG changes

Common

Circulatory collapse, arrhythmias, myocarditis, pericarditis

Rare

Cardiac arrest, Cardiomyopathy

Very rare

 

Vascular disorders

Syncope, orthostatic hypotension, postural hypotension,hypertension

Common

Thromboembolism

Rare

 

Respiratory disorders

Aspiration of ingested food, pneumonia and lower respiratory
tract infection which may be fatal

Rare

Respiratory depression/arrest

Very rare

 

Gastrointestinal disorders

Constipation, hypersalivation

Very common

Nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, dry mouth

Common

Dysphagia

Rare

Intestinal obstruction/paralytic ileus/faecal impaction, parotid gland enlargement

Very rare

 

Hepatobiliary disorders

Elevated liver enzymes

Common

Pancreatitis, hepatitis, cholestatic jaundice

Rare

 

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Skin reactions

Very rare

 

Renal and urinary disorders

Urinary retention, urinary incontinence

Common

Tubulointerstitial nephritis, renal impairment, renal, failure

Very rare

 

Reproductive system disorders

Priapism, impotence, changes in ejaculation, dysmenorrhoea

Very rare

 

General disorders

Benign hyperthermia, disturbances in sweating/temperature
regulation, fatigue, fever

Common

Sudden unexplained death

Very rare

 

Investigations

(Elevated creatine phosphokinase (CPK

Rare

Hyponatraemia

Very rare

 

Very rare events of ventricular tachycardia, cardiac arrest and QT prolongation which may be associated with Torsades De Pointes have been observed although there is no conclusive causalrelationship to the use of this medicine.

Adverse drug reactions from spontaneous reports and literature (frequency not known)
The following adverse drug reactions (ADRs) were derived from post-marketing experience with Leponex via spontaneous case reports and literature cases and have been categorized according to MedDRA system organ class (see Table 4). Because these reactions have been reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size and are subject to confounding factors, these post-marketing ADRs have been categorized with a frequency of “not known” since it is not possible to reliably estimate their frequency. Adverse drug reactions are listed according to system organ classes in MedDRA. Within each system organ class, ADRs are presented in order of decreasing seriousness.

Table 4 Adverse drug reactions from spontaneous reports and literature (frequency not known)

Infections and infestations

Sepsis

Immune system disorders

Drug rash with eosinophilia and systemic symptoms (DRESS), Angioedema, leukocytoclastic vasculitis

Endocrine disorders

Pseudophaeochromocytoma

Metabolism and nutrition disorders

Obesity

Nervous system disorders

Cholinergic syndrome, EEG changes, pleurothotonus (Pisa syndrome), restless legs syndrome (RLS)

Cardiac disorders

Myocardial infarction (sometimes with fatal outcome), myocarditis (sometimes with fatal outcome), chest
pain/angina pectoris, palpitations, atrial fibrillation, mitral valve incompetence associated with clozapine
related cardiomyopathy

Vascular disorders

Hypotension

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Pleural effusion, sleep apnoea syndrome, nasal congestion

Gastrointestinal disorders

Megacolon and intestinal infarction/ischaemia (sometimes with fatal outcome), as well as
intestinal necrosis, intestinal ulceration and bowel perforation with a possible fatal outcome,
diarrhoea, abdominal discomfort/heartburn/dyspepsia, colitis

Hepatobiliary disorders

Hepatic steatosis, hepatic necrosis, hepatotoxicity, hepatic fibrosis, hepatic cirrhosis, liver disorders including those hepatic events leading to life-threatening consequences such as liver injury (hepatic, cholestatic and mixed), liver failure which may be fatal and liver transplant

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Pigmentation disorder

Musculoskeletal and connective tissue disorders

Rhabdomyolysis, muscle weakness, muscle spasms, muscle pain, systemic lupus erythematosus

Renal and urinary disorders

Renal failure, nocturnal enuresis

Reproductive system and breast disorders

Retrograde ejaculation

General disorders and administration site conditions

Polyserositis

Injury, poisoning and procedural complications

Falls (associated with clozapine-induced seizures, somnolence, postural hypotension, motor and sensory
instability)

 

To reports any side effect(s):
Saudi Arabia:
- The National Pharmacovigilance Centre (NPC):
- Fax: +966-11-205-7662
- Call NPC at +966-11-2038222, Ext 2317-2356-2340
- SFDA Call Center: 19999
- E-mail: npc.drug@sfda.gov.sa
- Website: www.sfda.gov.sa/npc
Other GCC States:
- Please contact the relevant competent authority.


In cases of acute intentional or accidental Leponex overdosage, for which information on the outcome is available, to date the mortality is about 12%. Most of the fatalities were associated with cardiac failure or pneumonia caused by aspiration and occurred at doses above 2000 mg. There have been reports of patients recovering from an overdose in excess of 10,000 mg. However, in a few adult individuals, primarily those not previously exposed to Leponex, the ingestion of doses as low as 400 mg led to life-threatening comatose conditions and, in one case, to death. In young children, the intake of 50 mg to 200 mg resulted in strong sedation or coma without being lethal.

Signs and symptoms
Drowsiness, lethargy, areflexia, coma, confusion, hallucinations, agitation, delirium, extrapyramidal symptoms, hyper-reflexia, convulsions; hypersalivation, mydriasis, blurred vision, thermolability; hypotension, collapse, tachycardia, cardiac arrhythmias; aspiration pneumonia, dyspnea, respiratory depression or failure.

Treatment
There are no specific antidotes for Leponex.
Gastric lavage and/or the administration of activated charcoal within the first 6 hours after Leponex ingestion. (Peritoneal dialysis and hemodialysis are unlikely to be effective.)
Symptomatic treatment under continuous cardiac monitoring, surveillance of respiration, monitoring of electrolytes and acid-base balance. The use of epinephrine should be avoided in the treatment of hypotension because of the possibility of a ‘reverse epinephrine’ effect. Close medical supervision is necessary for at least 5 days because of the possibility of delayed reactions.


ATC code: N05A H02
Mechanism of action (MOA)
Leponex has been shown to be an antipsychotic agent that is different from classic antipsychotics.
In pharmacological experiments, the compound does not induce catalepsy or inhibit apomorphine- or amphetamine-induced stereotyped behavior. It has only weak dopamine
receptor-blocking activity at D1, D2, D3 and D5 receptors, but shows high potency for the D4 receptor, in addition to potent anti-alpha-adrenergic, anticholinergic, antihistaminic, and
arousal reaction-inhibiting effects. It has also been shown to possess antiserotoninergic properties.

Pharmacodynamics (PD)
Clinically Leponex produces rapid and marked sedation, and exerts antipsychotic effects in patients with schizophrenia resistant to other antipsychotic agents. In such cases, Leponex has proven effective in relieving both positive and negative schizophrenic symptoms in short- and long-term trials.
Leponex is unique in that it produces virtually no major extrapyramidal reactions such as acute dystonia and tardive dyskinesia. Furthermore, parkinsonian-like side effects and akathisia are rare. In contrast to classical antipsychotics, clozapine produces little or no prolactin elevation, thus avoiding adverse effects such as gynecomastia, amenorrhea, galactorrhea, and impotence. Potentially serious adverse reactions caused by Leponex therapy are granulocytopenia and agranulocytosis occurring at an estimated incidence of 3% and 0.7% respectively (see section WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS).


Absorption
The absorption of orally administered clozapine is 90% to 95%; neither the rate nor the extent of absorption is influenced by food. Clozapine is subject to moderate first-pass metabolism, resulting in an absolute bioavailability of 50% to 60%.
Distribution
In steady-state conditions, when given twice daily, peak blood levels occur on an average at 2.1 hours (range: 0.4 to 4.2 hours), and the volume of distribution is 1.6 L/kg. Clozapine is
approximately 95% bound to plasma proteins.
Biotransformation/metabolism
Clozapine is almost completely metabolized before excretion by CYP1A2 and 3A4, and to some extent by CYP2C19 and 2D6. Of the main metabolites only the desmethyl metabolite was found to be active. Its pharmacological actions resemble those of clozapine, but are considerably weaker and of short duration.

Elimination
Its elimination is biphasic, with a mean terminal half-life of 12 hours (range: 6 to 26 hours). After single doses of 75 mg the mean terminal half-life was 7.9 hours; it increased to 14.2 hours when steady-state conditions were reached by administering daily doses of 75 mg for at least 7 days Only trace amounts of unchanged drug are detected in the urine and feces, approximately 50% of the administered dose being excreted as metabolites in the urine and 30% in the feces.
Linearity/non-linearity
Dosage increases from 37.5 mg to 75 mg and 150 mg given twice daily were found to result during steady state in linearly dose-proportional increases in the area under the plasma
concentration/time curve (AUC), and in the peak and minimum plasma concentrations.


Clinical studies in treatment-resistant schizophrenia (Clozapine study 16 & 30)
The first study was Study 16, a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, parallel group comparative trial of clozapine versus chlorpromazine (CPZ) in hospitalized patients (aged 18
to 65 years and of either sex) with treatment resistant schizophrenia (DSM-II criteria). 151 such patients were randomly assigned to either clozapine (150-900 mg) or chlorpromazine (300- 1800 mg) for 28 days with an optional extension up to 28 days (75 in clozapine group and 76 in chlorpromazine group). Efficacy was assessed by measuring mean change from baseline in the Brief Psychiatric Rating Scale (BPRS), Clinical Global Impression (CGI) scores and the Nurses Observation Scale for Inpatient Evaluation (NOSIE-30). Throughout the study, and at endpoint, clozapine patients had a more rapid onset of action and showed significant improvement in BPRS items compared to chlorpromazine patients. At week 1, clozapine was statistically superior to CPZ in two items assessed: Motor retardation [0.67 vs. 0.12; p<0.05] and blunted affect [0.93 vs. 0.34; p<0.01]. At week 2, two more items also showed statistically significant improvements in clozapine group, emotional withdrawal [1.48 vs. 0.98; p<0.01] and unusual thought content [2.06 vs. 1.45; p<0.05]. At week 3, clozapine was statistically superior in 7 out of the 18 BPRS items assessed. At endpoint, clozapine showed statistically significant improvements in every item assessed. Results were similar for BPRS factors and CGI scores also. By week 2, statistically significant differences favoring clozapine were observed in the BPRS Total Score and maintained throughout the duration of study. Tests of comparative efficacy at endpoint showed clozapine to be significantly better for all five factors assessed: anxiety/depression (0.85 vs. 0.54; p<0.05), anergia (1.15 vs. 0.72; p<0.001), thought disturbance (1.80 vs. 1.28; p <0.01), activation (1.34 vs. 0.89; p<0.01), and hostile/suspiciousness (1.26 vs. 0.74; p<0.01)). At endpoint, clozapine showed statistically significant improvements in mean change in total BPRS score [22.53 vs. 14.64, p<0.001] and CGI [1.95 vs. 1.33, p<0.01]. Clozapine patients generally did better in the all NOSIE factors, except for social competence. Mean change from baseline showed statistically significant differences favoring clozapine in the improvement of irritability at weeks 3 (6.28 vs. 0.67, p<0.01) and week 4 (6.84 vs. 1.36, p<0.05). For most of the factors, particularly, total patient assets, there was clear evidence of an early onset of therapeutic benefit with clozapine, thus corroborating BPRS data, although no statistical difference was observed. At endpoint, clozapine was superior to CPZ for the following NOSIE factors: social interest (4.14 vs. 3.24), personal neatness (3.19 vs. 2.26), irritability (3.04 vs. 0.60) and manifest psychosis (6.32 vs. 4.24) as well as total assets (20.54 vs. 16.66). Second study was Study 30, a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, parallel group, 6-week, comparative study of clozapine versus chlorpromazine plus benztropine. The study population included 319 treatment-resistant schizophrenic patients, between the ages of 18-60 years, who met DSM-III criteria for schizophrenia, refractory to treatment. Eligible patients were randomly
assigned to either clozapine (up to 900 mg/day) or chlorpromazine plus benztropine (up to 1800 mg/day of chlorpromazine, plus 6 mg/day of benztropine). Efficacy was assessed using the BPRS score, CGI scale, and NOSIE-30. At the end of 6 weeks, clozapine was significantly superior to chlorpromazine in all “Positive”, “Negative” and general symptoms of BPRS (p<0.001) except ‘Grandiosity’ and ‘BPRS total score’. Clozapine showed a significantly superior change in CGI scale compared to chlorpromazine starting at week 1 (p<0.001).
Clozapine was superior to chlorpromazine on all six NOSIE-30 factors and total assets starting at either week 1 or 2 (p < 0.05 to 0.001). Clozapine was statistically significant in the following NOSIE factors, social competence, social interest and personal neatness, and total assets (p<0.001), as well as irritability and motor retardation (p<0.01 <0.05, respectively).

Clinical study in risk of recurrent suicidal behavior (InterSePT Trial)
The effectiveness of clozapine in reducing the risk of recurrent suicidal behavior was assessed in the International Suicide Prevention Trial (InterSePT), a prospective, randomized, open label, international, parallel-group comparison of clozapine vs. olanzapine in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder (DSM-IV) judged to be at risk for re-experiencing suicidal behavior, lasting for 24 months. A total of 956 patients were randomized to either clozapine (starting with 25 mg/day, titrated upwards to 200-900 mg/day) or olanzapine (5-20 mg/day). The primary efficacy measure was time to (1) a significant suicide attempt, including a completed suicide, (2) hospitalization due to imminent suicide risk (including increased level of surveillance for suicidality for patients already hospitalized), or (3) worsening of suicidality severity as demonstrated by “much worsening” or “very much worsening” from baseline in the CGI-SS-BP scale. Clozapine showed a statistically significant overall treatment effect compared to olanzapine for the primary efficacy measure (p=0.0309). Treatment effect for Type 1 events (a significant suicide attempt or hospitalization due to imminent suicide risk (including increased level of surveillance) was statistically significant in favor of clozapine (p=0.0316), with a hazard ratio [risk ratio] of 0.76 (95% C.I.: 0.58, 0.98). Similarly, the treatment effect for Type 2 events (worsening of suicidality severity as demonstrated by 7-point CGI-SS-BP change scale score of 6 or 7, or by implicit worsening of suicidality severity as demonstrated by occurrence of a Type 1 event) was statistically significant in favor of clozapine (p=0.0388), with a hazard ratio of 0.78 (95% C.I.: 0.61, 0.99). Probability (Standard Error, SE) of experiencing a Type 1 and Type 2 events was higher for olanzapine patients compared to clozapine patients at all visits. At week 104, the clozapine treatment group demonstrated a significantly lower probability of both Type 1 (24% vs. 32%; 95% C.I. 2%, 14%) and Type 2 event (28% vs. 37%; 95% C.I.: 2%, 15%).

Clinical study in psychosis in Parkinson’s disease
A randomized, double-blind parallel group, multicenter trial was conducted to compare the efficacy of clozapine vs. placebo for the treatment of psychosis in Parkinson's disease (druginduced psychosis unresponsive to usual management) and to compare the effect of clozapine vs. placebo on the motor function of patients with Parkinson’s disease. Study participants included 60 male or female patients (32 clozapine, 28 placebo), who met the diagnosis criteria of idiopathic Parkinson's disease and with the following criteria of antiparkinsonian induced psychosis: psychotic symptoms for > 2 weeks and requiring treatment (> 4 at item P1 or P3 of the PANSS; MMS > 20; no improvement of psychotic symptoms or unacceptable deterioration of motor function within a week despite usual therapeutic management; CGI-S > 4. Patients received either clozapine or placebo for 4 weeks, starting with 10 days titration phase, up to the maximum dose of 50 mg (Period 2). All patients who completed period 2, received clozapine during 12 weeks with flexible dosage up to 150 mg/day (Period 3). Attempt of clozapine withdrawal (over 1 week) was made, with assessment visit 3 weeks later (Period 4). The mean change in CGI-S score (primary efficacy variable) was significantly greater in the clozapine group compared to the placebo group (-1.8 vs. -0.6; p=0.001) at the end of period 2. Significant improvement in CGI-S score was achieved at week 1 and maintained at all time points of period 2 for the clozapine group. At the end of Period 2, the mean change in the PANSS positive subscore (secondary efficacy variable) was significantly greater in the clozapine group than in the placebo group. Significant improvement in the PANSS positive subscores was obtained at
week 1 and maintained at all subsequent time points. Reduction in scores of individual items were significant for all items. Clozapine treated patients continued to improve on both
parameters during period 3. Improvement was slightly increased at end of period 3 for both the efficacy parameters, CGI-S (clozapine -2.5 vs. -1.8 for placebo) and PANSS (clozapine -7.7 vs. -4.8 for placebo).

Non-clinical safety data
Preclinical data reveal no special hazard for humans based on conventional studies of safety pharmacology, repeated dose toxicity, genotoxicity and carcinogenic potential (for
reproductive toxicity, see section WOMEN OF CHILD-BEARING POTENTIAL, PREGNANCY, BREASTFEEDING, AND FERTILITY).
Mutagenicity
Clozapine and/or its metabolites were devoid of genotoxic potential when investigated for induction of gene mutations, chromosome aberrations and primary DNA-damage in a spectrum of in vitro mutagenicity tests. Likewise, no genotoxic activity was observed in vivo (bone marrow micronucleus test in mice).
Carcinogenicity
In Sprague-Dawley (CD) rats treated in the diet for 2 years, maximum tolerated doses of 35 mg/kg per day revealed no carcinogenic potential of clozapine. Likewise, no evidence of
tumorigenic effects was obtained in two 1.5-year feeding studies in Charles River (CD) mice. In the first study, oral dose levels of up to 64 mg/kg per day were administered to males, and of up to 75 mg/kg per day to females respectively. In the second study, the highest dose for both sexes was 61 mg/kg per day.

Reproductive toxicity
No embryotoxic or teratogenic potential of clozapine was observed in rats or rabbits at daily oral doses of up to 40 mg/kg. In male rats receiving the same dosages for 70 days prior to mating, fertility was unaffected. In female rats, fertility as well as pre- and postnatal development of the offspring was not adversely affected by oral clozapine treatment prior to mating (up to 40 mg/kg per day). When rats were treated at the same dosages during the later part of pregnancy and during lactation, survival rates of the young from lactating dams were lowered and the young were hyperactive. However, there was no lasting effect on pup development after weaning.


Lactose monohydrate, Maize starch/ Corn starch, Povidone, Talc, Silica, colloidal anhydrous/ Colloidal silicone dioxide, Magnesium stearate, Purified water


Not applicable.
In the absence of compatibility studies, this medicinal product must not be mixed with other medicinal products.


3 Years

Do not store above 30º C.
Leponex should not be used after the date marked “EXP” on the pack.
Leponex must be kept out of the reach and sight of children.


Pack Size: 50 tablets
PVC/PVDC (colorless) blister packs or PVC/PDVC (opaque) blister packs
Not all pack sizes may be marketed


Any unused product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local
requirements.


Mylan Pharma GmbH, Turmstrasse 24, 6312 Steinhausen, Switzerland Tel. +41 (0)41 768 48 48 Fax. +41 (0)41 768 48 49 e-mail: info.ch@mylan.com

May 2019
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