Clozapine is an antipsychotic drug used in treatment resistant schizophrenia and to decrease suicide risk in schizophrenic patients. Clozapine is available as oral tablets. Clozapine is part of a group of drugs known as second-generation antipsychotics or atypical antipsychotics. Antipsychotic drugs are vital in treating the core symptoms of schizophrenia: hallucinations and delusions As an atypical antipsychotic, clozapine acts an antagonist to both dopamine and serotonin receptors. Clozapine's antipsychotic action is likely mediated through a combination of antagonistic effects at D2 receptors in the mesolimbic pathway and 5-HT2A receptors in the frontal cortex. D2 antagonism relieves positive symptoms while 5-HT2A antagonism alleviates negative symptoms. Side effects of clozapine include agranulocytosis, myocarditis, orthostatic hypotension, sedation, tachycardia, sexual dysfunction, urinary retention, constipation.

Clozapine Dopamine Antagonist Pathway References