Cannot Sleep Without Taking Clozaril. Developed Blurry Vision. Can I Replace It With Rozerem?
I have been taking Clozaril in order to sleep for 7 years even though it is not prescribed for sleep disturbances and I don't have schizophrenia. I am unable to sleep naturally now without it. I tried to ween myself off it years ago but it didn't work. Over the past few weeks I've developed vision problems.... my eyes feel like they aren't focusing in sync and my vision is slightly blurry. It has been worsening over the last couple weeks. I'm not sure if it's from the Clozaril but I think it is since this is the only medication I take. Since I can't sleep without it I will need a different medication to sleep if you think that the vision problems are a side effect. I have looked up long term sleep medications and the only one I have found is Rozerem. Do you think I could replace the Clozaril with this? And do you know if it interacts with Clozaril? Also since I have been unable to stop taking Clozaril by slowing reducing the dose over a couple weeks should I just stop cold XXXXXXX and replace it with another sleep medication?
I am 35 years old, 5 foot 8, and I don't have any other health problems other than not being able to sleep without Clozaril.
Thank you for your time.
Thanks for your query.
I appreciate your efforts for medical consultation in so much distress.
Important aspects of your query are:
• 35 year old female
• on clozaril for 7 years
• Concern related to: blurring of vision and clozaril use for sleep difficulty
Your question is good but difficult and interesting too. Clozaril is not used for sleep problem but sleep difficulty may occur in other psychiatric illnesses. Many times when symptoms are severe, family members do not tell reason at start of treatment considering best interest of patient.
Clozaril is used in Schizophrenia and also in treatment of resistant cases of Bipolar disorder and psychotic symptoms in other psychiatric illness. Sorry to know but, in most of these illnesses patients lose their ability to identify their illness and symptoms of it. So before thinking about a substitute for sleep medicine or even decreasing clozaril dose, you should have discussion with prescribing Physician so that he can guide you about continuation of clozaril.
Blurred vision can occur with clozaril. But this is occurring very late in your case after years of treatment (7years). So before assuming it as a side effect of clozaril you should have ophthalmological examination and investigation with ophthalmologist advice.
I hope this information has been both informative and helpful for you. In case of any doubt, I will be available for follow ups.
Wish you good health.
Regards,