For your patients with treatment-resistant schizophrenia…
After schizophrenia treatment failures,
change course—consider Versacloz1
Versacloz is indicated for:
- Treatment of severely ill patients with schizophrenia who fail to respond adequately to standard antipsychotic treatment. Because of the risks of severe neutropenia and of seizure associated with its use, VERSACLOZ should be used only in patients who have failed to respond adequately to standard antipsychotic treatment. The effectiveness of clozapine was established in a 6-week, randomized, double-blind, active-controlled study comparing clozapine and chlorpromazine in patients who had failed other antipsychotics.
- Reducing the risk of recurrent suicidal behavior in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder who are judged to be at chronic risk for re-experiencing suicidal behavior, based on history and recent clinical state. The effectiveness of clozapine in reducing the risk of recurrent suicidal behavior was demonstrated over a 2-year treatment period in the InterSePTTM trial.
Dosing/Delivery:
- Highly concentrated oral, low-volume suspension: 1 mL = 50 mg1
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Offers a tasteless choice of clozapine therapy2
- Measured and administered using an oral syringe—no need to mix or match clozapine tablets
Important Safety Information
Contraindications include:
- VERSACLOZ is contraindicated in patients with a history of hypersensitivity to clozapine (e.g., photosensitivity, vasculitis, erythema multiforme, or Stevens-Johnson Syndrome) or any other component of VERSACLOZ [see Adverse Reactions (6.2) of the Full Prescribing Information].
Warnings and Precautions
- VERSACLOZ may cause somnolence, postural hypotension, and motor and sensory instability, which may lead to falls and consequently, fractures or other injuries. For patients with diseases, or conditions that could exacerbate these effects, fall risk assessments should be completed when initiating antipsychotic treatment and recurrently for patients on long-term antipsychotic treatment.
- Gastrointestinal hypomotility can range from constipation to paralytic ileus. Severe complications of gastrointestinal hypomotility can result in fecal impaction, megacolon, and intestinal obstruction, ischemia, infarction, perforation, ulceration, or necrosis. These reactions have resulted in hospitalization, surgery and death. Reassess bowel function frequently with careful attention to any changes in the frequency or character of bowel movements or symptoms of hypomotility (nausea, vomiting, abdominal distension, or abdominal pain) and treat promptly with laxatives as necessary.
- Eosinophilia has occurred, usually during the first month of treatment with clozapine. In clinical trials, approximately 1% of patients developed eosinophilia. Discontinue VERSACLOZ if organ involvement (e.g., myocarditis, pancreatitis, hepatitis, colitis, nephritis) occurs.
- QT interval prolongation, sometimes life-threatening, has occurred with clozapine. Consider additional risk factors for prolonged QT interval (disorders and drugs) including patient or family history, treatment with other medications that cause QT prolongation or inhibit the metabolism of VERSACLOZ, and electrolyte abnormalities. Discontinue use if the QTc interval exceeds 500 msec or if the patient experiences symptoms consistent with Torsades de Pointes or other arrhythmias (e.g., syncope, presyncope, dizziness, or palpitations).
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Atypical antipsychotics including VERSACLOZ have been associated with metabolic changes, including:
- Hyperglycemia and Diabetes Mellitus: Hyperglycemia, in some cases extreme and associated with ketoacidosis and hyperosmolar coma or death, has been reported in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics including VERSACLOZ. Monitor for symptoms of hyperglycemia including polydipsia, polyuria, polyphagia, and weakness. Monitor glucose regularly in patients with or at risk for diabetes.
- Dyslipidemia: Undesirable alterations in lipids have occurred in patients treated with atypical antipsychotics. Baseline and periodic follow-up lipid evaluations are recommended.
- Weight Gain: Weight gain has occurred in clinical trials with VERSACLOZ. Monitor weight during treatment.
- Hepatotoxicity: Severe, life threatening, and in some cases fatal hepatotoxicity including hepatic failure, hepatic necrosis, and hepatitis have been reported. Monitor for signs and symptoms of hepatotoxicity such as fatigue, malaise, anorexia, nausea, jaundice, bilirubinemia, coagulopathy and hepatic encephalopathy, and perform serum tests for liver injury.
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), a potentially fatal symptom complex, has been reported with administration of antipsychotics, including VERSACLOZ. Clinical manifestations include hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic instability. Additional signs may include elevated creatine phosphokinase, myoglobinuria, rhabdomyolysis, and acute renal failure. If NMS occurs, immediately discontinue VERSACLOZ, manage with intensive symptomatic treatment, monitor closely, and assess for comorbidities.
- Patients have experienced transient, clozapine-related fever during therapy, often within the first 3 weeks of treatment. Evaluate patients with fever for agranulocytosis, infection, or NMS.
- Consider pulmonary embolism (PE) if respiratory distress, chest pain, or deep vein thrombosis occur.
- VERSACLOZ has potent anticholinergic effects. Treatment with VERSACLOZ can result in CNS and peripheral anticholinergic toxicity especially at higher dosages or in overdose situations. Use with caution in patients with constipation, urinary retention, clinically significant prostatic hypertrophy or other conditions in which anticholinergic effects can lead to significant adverse reactions. When possible avoid concomitant use with other anticholinergic medications because the risk for anticholinergic toxicity or severe gastrointestinal adverse reactions is increased.
- VERSACLOZ can cause sedation and impairment of cognitive and motor performance. Advise caution when operating machinery, including automobiles. Consider reducing the dose if cognitive or motor interference occurs.
- Tardive dyskinesia (TD) has occurred in patients treated with antipsychotic drugs including VERSACLOZ. The risk and likelihood that it will become irreversible are believed to increase with greater durations of treatment and higher total cumulative doses, although it can occur after short periods and at low doses. Use the lowest effective dose and the shortest duration necessary to control symptoms. Periodically assess the need for continued treatment. Consider discontinuing VERSACLOZ if TD occurs.
- Cerebrovascular adverse reactions (e.g., stroke, transient ischemic attack), including fatalities, have occurred in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis who were treated with some atypical antipsychotics. Use VERSACLOZ with caution in patients with risk factors for cerebrovascular adverse reactions.
- If abrupt discontinuation is necessary, monitor carefully for the recurrence of psychotic symptoms and adverse reactions related to cholinergic rebound.
- Most common adverse reactions (≥5%) were: CNS reactions (sedation, dizziness/vertigo, headache, and tremor); cardiovascular reactions (tachycardia, hypotension, and syncope); autonomic nervous system reactions (hypersalivation, sweating, dry mouth, and visual disturbances); gastrointestinal reactions (constipation and nausea); and fever.
Click here for additional safety information.
References: 1. VERSACLOZ Full Prescribing Information, Douglas Pharmaceuticals America Ltd. 2025 2. Data on file.
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United States.
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