VERSACLOZ SIDE EFFECTS
- Generic Name: clozapine oral suspension
- Brand Name: Versacloz
- Drug Class: How Do Second Generation Antipsychotics Work?
SIDE EFFECTS
The following adverse reactions are discussed in more detail in other sections of the labeling:
- Severe Neutropenia.
- Orthostatic Hypotension, Bradycardia, and Syncope.
- Falls.
- Seizures.
- Myocarditis and Cardiomyopathy.
- Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis.
- Gastrointestinal Hypomotility and Severe Complications
- Eosinophilia
- QT Interval Prolongation
- Metabolic Changes (Hyperglycemia and Diabetes Mellitus, Dyslipidemia, and Weight Gain)
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
- Hepatotoxicity
- Fever
- Pulmonary Embolism
- Anticholinergic Toxicity
- Interference with Cognitive and Motor Performance
- Tardive Dyskinesia
- Cerebrovascular Adverse Reactions
- Recurrence of Psychosis and Cholinergic Rebound after Abrupt Discontinuation
Clinical Trials Experience
Because clinical trials are conducted under widely varying conditions, adverse reaction rates observed in the clinical trials of a drug cannot be directly compared to rates in the clinical trials of another drug and may not reflect the rates observed in clinical practice.
The most commonly reported adverse reactions (≥5%) across clozapine clinical trials were: CNS reactions, including sedation, dizziness/vertigo, headache, and tremor; cardiovascular reactions, including tachycardia, hypotension, and syncope; autonomic nervous system reactions, including hypersalivation, sweating, dry mouth, and visual disturbances; gastrointestinal reactions, including constipation and nausea; and fever. Table 9 summarizes the most commonly reported adverse reactions (≥5%) in clozapine-treated patients (compared to chlorpromazine-treated patients) in the pivotal, 6-week, controlled trial in treatment-resistant schizophrenia.
Table 1: Common Adverse Reactions (≥5%) in the 6-Week, Randomized, Chlorpromazine- controlled Trial in Treatment-Resistant Schizophrenia
Adverse Reaction | Clozapine (N=126) (%) |
Chlorpromazine (N=142) (%) |
Sedation | 21 | 13 |
Tachycardia | 17 | 11 |
Constipation | 16 | 12 |
Dizziness | 14 | 16 |
Hypotension | 13 | 38 |
Fever (hyperthermia) | 13 | 4 |
Hypersalivation | 13 | 1 |
Hypertension | 12 | 5 |
Headache | 10 | 10 |
Nausea/vomiting | 10 | 12 |
Dry mouth | 5 | 20 |
Table 2 summarizes the adverse reactions reported in clozapine-treated patients at a frequency of 2% or greater across all clozapine studies (excluding the 2-year InterSePT™ Study). These rates are not adjusted for duration of exposure.
Table 2: Adverse Reactions (≥2%) Reported in Clozapine-treated Patients (N=842) across all Clozapine Studies (excluding the 2-year InterSePT™ Study)
Body System Adverse Reaction |
Clozapine N=842 Percentage of Patients |
Central Nervous System | |
Drowsiness/Sedation | 39 |
Dizziness/Vertigo | 19 |
Headache | 7 |
Tremor | 6 |
Syncope | 6 |
Disturbed Sleep/Nightmares | 4 |
Restlessness | 4 |
Hypokinesia/Akinesia | 4 |
Agitation | 4 |
Seizures (convulsions) | 3† |
Rigidity | 3 |
Akathisia | 3 |
Confusion | 3 |
Fatigue | 2 |
Insomnia | 2 |
Cardiovascular | |
Tachycardia | 25† |
Hypotension | 9 |
Hypertension | 4 |
Gastrointestinal | |
Constipation | 14 |
Nausea | 5 |
Abdominal Discomfort/Heartburn | 4 |
Nausea/Vomiting | 3 |
Vomiting | 3 |
Diarrhea | 2 |
Urogenital | |
Urinary Abnormalities | 2 |
Autonomic Nervous System | |
Salivation | 31 |
Sweating | 6 |
Dry Mouth | 6 |
Visual Disturbances | 5 |
Skin | |
Rash | 2 |
Hemic/Lymphatic | |
Leukopenia/Decreased WBC/Neutropenia | 3 |
Miscellaneous | |
Fever | 5 |
Weight Gain | 4 |
† Rate based on population of approximately 1700 exposed during premarket clinical evaluation of clozapine. |
Table 3 summarizes the most commonly reported adverse reactions (>10% of the clozapine or olanzapine group) in the InterSePT™ Study. This was an adequate and well-controlled, two-year study evaluating the efficacy of clozapine relative to olanzapine in reducing the risk of suicidal behavior in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. The rates are not adjusted for duration of exposure.
Table 3: Incidence of Adverse Reactions in Patients Treated with Clozapine or Olanzapine in the InterSePT™ Study (≥10% in the clozapine or olanzapine group)
Adverse Reactions | Clozapine N=479 % Reporting |
Olanzapine N=477 % Reporting |
Salivary hypersecretion | 48% | 6% |
Somnolence | 46% | 25% |
Weight increased | 31% | 56% |
Dizziness (excluding vertigo) | 27% | 12% |
Constipation | 25% | 10% |
Insomnia | 20% | 33% |
Nausea | 17% | 10% |
Vomiting | 17% | 9% |
Dyspepsia | 14% | 8% |
Dystonia
Class Effect
Symptoms of dystonia, prolonged abnormal contractions of muscle groups, may occur in susceptible individuals during the first few days of treatment. Dystonic symptoms include: spasm of the neck muscles, sometimes progressing to tightness of the throat, swallowing difficulty, difficulty breathing, and/or protrusion of the tongue. While these symptoms can occur at low doses, they occur more frequently and with greater severity with high potency and at higher doses of first generation antipsychotic drugs. An elevated risk of acute dystonia is observed in males and younger age groups.
Postmarketing Experience
The following adverse reactions have been identified during post-approval use of clozapine. Because these reactions are reported voluntarily from a population of uncertain size, it is not always possible to reliably estimate their frequency or establish a causal relationship to drug exposure.
Central Nervous System
Delirium, EEG abnormal, myoclonus, paresthesia, possible cataplexy, status epilepticus, obsessive compulsive symptoms, and post-discontinuation cholinergic rebound adverse reactions.
Cardiovascular System
Atrial or ventricular fibrillation, ventricular tachycardia, QT interval prolongation, Torsades de Pointes, myocardial infarction, cardiac arrest, and periorbital edema.
Endocrine System
Pseudopheochromocytoma.
Gastrointestinal System
Acute pancreatitis, dysphagia, salivary gland swelling, megacolon, intestinal ischemia or infarction.
Hepatobiliary System
Cholestasis, hepatitis, jaundice, hepatotoxicity, hepatic steatosis, hepatic necrosis, hepatic fibrosis, hepatic cirrhosis, liver injury (hepatic, cholestatic, and mixed), and liver failure.
Immune System Disorders
Angioedema, leukocytoclastic vasculitis.
Urogenital System
Acute interstitial nephritis, nocturnal enuresis, priapism, and renal failure.
Skin and Subcutaneous Tissue Disorders
Hypersensitivity reactions: photosensitivity, vasculitis, erythema multiforme, skin pigmentation disorder, and Stevens-Johnson Syndrome.
Musculoskeletal System And Connective Tissue Disorders
Myasthenic syndrome, rhabdomyolysis, and systemic lupus erythematosus.
Respiratory System
Aspiration, pleural effusion, pneumonia, lower respiratory tract infection.
Hemic And Lymphatic System
Mild, moderate, or severe leukopenia, agranulocytosis, granulocytopenia, WBC decreased, deep vein thrombosis, elevated hemoglobin/hematocrit, erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) increased, sepsis, thrombocytosis, and thrombocytopenia.
Vision Disorders
Narrow-angle glaucoma.
Miscellaneous
Creatine phosphokinase elevation, hyperuricemia, hyponatremia, and weight loss.
SRC: NLM .