Clozapine: Why Aren’t We Using this Schizophrenia Treatment?

Join NAMI-NYC for our public education event virtually on Wednesday, November 15 at 6 PM. We’ll be joined by guest speaker Dr. Rob Laitman, who specializes in clozapine, an antipsychotic medication used to treat individuals with schizophrenia. We will discuss...
-Available effective treatments for schizophrenia, particularly clozapine
-Concerns about clozapine and why its underutilized
- Barriers to clozapine use in New York and nationally
- How to advocate for greater clozapine use within the mental healthcare system
About Our Speaker
Dr. Robert Laitman is an internist who specializes in the use of clozapine in an optimal fashion for individuals with schizophrenia or other psychotic spectrum disorders. When his son was diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2006, Dr. Laitman became an expert on the treatment of psychosis and expanded his practice to include taking care of people with psychotic disorders. Dr. Laitman uses a biopsychosocial approach in his treatment and prescription of the antipsychotic clozapine and he works to mitigate medication side effects with a wraparound approach that includes other medications.

[@rebekahpaz655]

My son has been on Clozapine for the last 3 months after countless meds didn’t work and a 3 month hospitalization. I’m so thankful we are seeing improvement and his smile has returned. I think exercise is key with this medication to manage motivation and side effects. Thank you for sharing your story.

[@adderakompetens6441]

My son took his first dosage tonight, I´m hopefull. After 10 weeks in and out the doctor finally agreed to give it a try.

[@Faye-el1bz]

Huberman podcast shorts may be insightful good luck🤗💯💖👍

[@angelaweber1163]

My son really likes comedy. I think he will really be able to relate to your son.

[@replaceablehead]

Better questions would be, why aren't we using lithium and why aren't all antipsychotics used as PRN sedatives?

[@rosejones2932]

How do you treatment constipation? Oh, I ask too early - thanks for the routine. Where is Laurel House located?

[@user-ne7wn7tl4o]

My sister take 2x25 mg/ day; and sleep 9 hours a day. She spent her time in the bedroom, wondering around in the house, brushing her teeth, shower, cleaning bed, every day, 7 day a week. Despite that, she is intelligent still.

[@Faye-el1bz]

Huberman podcast shorts may have suggestions to raise dopamine ❤🤗💯💎💖👍

[@rosejones2932]

That is a very low dose. She probably is not therapeutic.

[@user-ne7wn7tl4o]

My sister also take Clozapine 2x25 mg, plus Brexpiprazole 1x4 mg. She was intelligent. But, similar to your sister: in the bedroom, cleaning bed, brush teeth, shower.

[@capitalist4life]

“Cannabis is a five fold risk factor… and so are the ADHD drugs…” I’ve never felt so thankful to not be psychotic. I’ve been living on a diet of speed & weed for the past 15 years. That’s a risk factor of 25x. And I taking too much of both at certain times

[@pearlverdun]

Psychiatry is the only 'medicine' that doesnt use blood tests or treat deficiencies, doent test with urine OATS testing for neurotransmitters or accurate hormone testing. Insane. A series of tick boxes instead. Said by a very sad and angry mum watching her LO disintegrate into nothingness from meds

[@maxaffe3195]

it is the worst part of medicine. it isnt real medicine. everyone can give ppl meds. they do not know anything at all. i am mentally ill and psychiatry is the worst of all.

[@capitalist4life]

“Let me try some other things first.” Some psychiatrists just love to play god… they’re not workers employed by their patients, they’re highly-trained ‘experts’ who graciously volunteer to treat us mere mortals. Imagine going to a car mechanic for an oil change and he said, ‘let me try some other things first’…

[@Faye-el1bz]

People don't have the same level of illness and don't require the same dose made worse if they disregard your symptom because of preconceived ideas sourced from some book Written by someone highly likely who stands on the shoulders of an abusive sociopathic status / fame /seeking doctor / researcher And we're all supposed to keep quiet about the horrors Oh I'm digressing Saffron raises dopamine levels Win Hoff cold dips also raised dopamine As does low cost Yoga nidra Huberman is were I sourced some of my information He has a podcast Remarkably interesting ❤ good luck

[@user-ne7wn7tl4o]

My sister is taking clozapine in combination with other drugs. But her motivation is so low, that she is daily stucked in her bedroom. How to increase her motivation to be more active? Can Team Daniel help on this?

[@NicolaWatsonFD]

I was on clozapine and I found it extremely sedating which meant I would regular sleep 16 hours or more each day. This was interpreted as lack of motivation by the psychiatrist, I realise it may not be the case with your sister but I thought I would mention the fact that clozapine is so sedating. Can I ask what dose she is on?

[@nemo3874]

there is karXT on the horizon. it's completely new drug with new approach

[@Faye-el1bz]

Huberman podcast may have some suggestions to raise dopamine