Schizophrenia is a chronic, severe, and debilitating mental disorder characterized by distorted thoughts, and abnormal antisocial behaviors. Psychosis, or a loss of contact with reality is also associated with schizophrenia. According to the World Health Organization, schizophrenia affects 20 million people worldwide. Although treatment is available, not all treatments work for all people. At this time, Clozaril (clozapine) is the only FDA-approved medication for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). But does it work, and if so, is it enough?
Schizophrenia treatment
Studies have shown that a multidisciplinary approach is usually the most impactful way to minimize symptoms and maintain overall wellness and quality of life for people who suffer from schizophrenia. Following a first psychotic episode, treatments involving multidisciplinary interventions are associated with lower rehospitalization rates, as well as improved engagement with work, school, and daily activities.
Standard therapeutic interventions for schizophrenia typically involve psychosocial treatment, such as cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or other therapy aimed at helping the individual to improve their coping skills and manage the everyday challenges associated with schizophrenia. Another important component of the multidisciplinary approach involves the use of antipsychotic medications to help manage schizophrenia symptoms.
Clozapine is currently the only FDA-approved medication for treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS), which is described as an insufficient response to two or more medications.
What is Clozapine?
Clozapine is a medication that’s used to treat psychosis, one of the hallmark symptoms of schizophrenia. Psychosis is characterized by hallucinations, delusions, distorted thinking, and other symptoms involving a loss of contact with reality. Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic drug, a class of drugs often referred to as “second generation antipsychotics,” differentiating them from the typical antipsychotics that were originally used to treat psychosis. Clozapine and other drugs in its class (including aripiprazole, ziprasidone, and quetiapine, among others), are less likely to cause muscle tremors, rigidity, spasms, and other side effects involving motor control.
Clozapine treats schizophrenia by balancing the dopamine and serotonin levels in the individual’s brain, resulting in improved mood, thoughts, and behavior. It is first prescribed at a low dose and typically taken once or twice a day, gradually increasing the dose until the right balance is achieved.
Is Clozapine effective for schizophrenia?
Yes, clozapine is effective for schizophrenia, but it doesn’t work in everyone. A surprisingly high percentage (30%-50%) of individuals who suffer from schizophrenia are diagnosed with treatment-resistant schizophrenia (TRS). This means that they have tried at least two medications that have provided insufficient relief from their symptoms. Although Clozapine does help two thirds of people with TRS, that still leaves millions of people without effective treatment for their symptoms of schizophrenia. Research is crucial for the development of new medications that provide relief for all those who need it.
Participate in a schizophrenia research study at Synergy today
At Synergy Research Centers in San Diego, we’re currently enrolling participants in two schizophrenia research studies. If you have been diagnosed with schizophrenia and are between the ages of 18 and 55, you may be eligible to participate in an inpatient study involving Clozaril (clozapine) or an outpatient study involving CBD. For more information or to see if you’re eligible, call (888) 539-0282 or fill out our contact form today.