Thiothixene vs. Clozapine for Schizophrenia: Important Differences and Potential Risks.

Thiothixene

Clozapine

(Clozaril)

Summary for Thiothixene

Prescription only

Thiothixene is used to treat schizophrenia in people ages 12 years and older. It belongs to a drug class known as typical antipsychotics. This medication comes as a oral capsule and it's typically taken 2-3 times a day. Some of the more common side effects of this medication include drowsiness, restlessness, and uncontrolled body movement. Thiothixene is only available as a generic medication. Brand name Navane has been discontinued.

Indications for Thiothixene

Schizophrenia in people ages 12 years and older

Pros and Cons for Thiothixene

Pros

Taken by mouth
Can be taken by children as young as 12 years old
Dose can be adjusted based on your response

Cons

Might need to take up to 3 times a day
Can cause low white blood cell counts so might need to have regular blood tests done
More likely to cause movement-related problems than atypical antipsychotics

Common Side Effects for Thiothixene

Warnings for Thiothixene

Higher risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis
Difficulty controlling muscle movements (tardive dyskinesia)
Abnormal and prolonged muscle contractions (dystonia)
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
Seizures
Drowsiness and sleepiness
Low white blood cell count
Vision changes
High prolactin levels

Summary for Clozapine

Prescription only

Clozapine (Clozaril) is used to treat schizophrenia. It's an atypical antipsychotic, but it's not a first-choice medication for schizophrenia because it can cause many bothersome side effects, such as drowsiness and dizziness. It can also cause your white blood cell (WBC) count to drop dangerously low and raise your risk for serious infections. As a result, clozapine (Clozaril) is prescribed under a special program called Risk Evaluation and Mitigation Strategies (REMS). In order to pick up your medication at the pharmacy, your provider will ask you to get blood work regularly (weekly to monthly) to make sure your WBC count is at a healthy level.

Indications for Clozapine

Schizophrenia that hasn't responded to other treatments
Suicidal behavior in people with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder

Pros and Cons for Clozapine

Pros

Works well to treat schizophrenia when other medications haven't worked well
Taken by mouth
Comes as both a regular tablet (that you swallow by mouth) and as a dissolvable tablet that you place on the tongue
Available as a lower-cost generic

Cons

Need to get blood work done every time you get a prescription filled (weekly to monthly)
Can cause dizziness and drowsiness
Can cause high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and weight gain
Not a good option for people with a history of seizures

Common Side Effects for Clozapine

Increased salivation (Up to 48%)
Drowsiness (up to 46%)
Dizziness (up to 27%)
Fast heart rate (up to 25%)
Constipation (up to 25%)
Trouble sleeping (up to 20%)
Nausea/vomiting (17%)
High or low blood pressure (up to 13%)
Fever (up to 13%)
Headache (10%)
Heartburn (up to 14%)

Warnings for Clozapine

Risk of serious infection (from low white blood cells)
Low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, and fainting
Seizures
Heart problems
Higher risk of death in older people with dementia-related psychosis
High blood sugar, high cholesterol, and weight gain
Severe constipation
Serious allergic reactions or inflammation problems
Life-threatening abnormal heart rhythm (QT prolongation)
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
Driving impairment
Liver problems
Difficulty controlling body movements
Not for people with phenylketonuria (dissolvable tablets only)

Prices with our coupons for Thiothixene vs. Clozapine

Thiothixene30 capsules / 2mg

$22.55$33.80

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Clozapine90 tablets / 100mg

$64.59$174.58

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Thiothixene vs. Clozapine

Thiothixene

Clozapine

Summary for Thiothixene

Indications for Thiothixene

Pros and Cons for Thiothixene

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Thiothixene

Warnings for Thiothixene

Summary for Clozapine

Indications for Clozapine

Pros and Cons for Clozapine

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Clozapine

Warnings for Clozapine

Prices with our coupons for Thiothixene vs. Clozapine

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Thiothixene

Clozapine

Summary for Thiothixene

Indications for Thiothixene

Pros and Cons for Thiothixene

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Thiothixene

Warnings for Thiothixene

Summary for Clozapine

Indications for Clozapine

Pros and Cons for Clozapine

Pros

Cons

Common Side Effects for Clozapine

Warnings for Clozapine