Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic primarily used in the treatment of treatment-resistant schizophrenia. It is also effective for reducing the risk of recurrent suicidal behavior in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder.
Mechanism of Action:
Clozapine acts mainly by blocking dopamine receptors (D2) and serotonin receptors (5-HT2A) in the brain, but it also has affinity for several other receptors including those for norepinephrine, acetylcholine, and histamine. This broad receptor binding profile is thought to contribute to its efficacy against treatment-resistant schizophrenia and its lower propensity to cause extrapyramidal symptoms compared to typical antipsychotics.
