ABOUT BLOOD TESTS Are blood tests needed? Everyone who takes clozapine (regardless of the brand) is required to have regular blood tests. The prescribing doctor will talk to you about this. Why are blood tests needed? In a small number of people (less than 1 in 100), clozapine can lower the number of blood cells that are needed to fight infections in the body. These blood cells will be monitored by the prescribing doctor via regular blood tests. How often are blood tests needed? After starting on Clopine®, weekly blood tests are needed for the first 18 weeks. Blood tests will then continue every 4 weeks thereafter for as long as Clopine® treatment continues. These blood tests must be taken no earlier than 48 hours before review or prescribing. There may be times when the prescribing doctor will ask for blood tests more often. Unfortunately, it may be necessary to stop Clopine® treatment if a blood test reveals a white blood cell count that is too low. Some additional blood tests will still be required after this to check for a return to normal blood cell count. If Clopine® is stopped for any other reason, blood tests are still needed for a month after the last dose. If switching from other clozapine brands to Clopine®, blood tests are still needed, but it’s not necessary to start at the beginning of the blood test monitoring program. If any signs of infection develop during treatment with Clopine®, such as a sore throat, mouth ulcers, fever or flu-like symptoms, contact the prescribing doctor immediately. 08
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