Genetics of drug response to clozapine
Genetics of Drug Response to Clozapine
What is Clozapine?
Clozapine is a medicine that helps people with mental health problems. It is usually given to people who experience hallucinations or self-harming thoughts. Clozapine can help those struggling mentally feel better and think more clearly. While clozapine can be helpful, it can also cause side effects.
Some common side effects of clozapine include:
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Constipation
- Weight gain
- Increased risk of infections
In rare cases, clozapine can cause heart problems or seizures. Researchers want to study how the body responds to Clozapine and discover the best dosage and plan for people wanting to use Clozapine.
How is the research done?
The research team wants to study how the body processes clozapine by looking at certain genes, CYP1A2 and CYP3A. These genes help break down medicine. The team will study these genes to understand why Clozapine works better for some people and not all, and why some experience bad symptoms. They will look into those who have not gotten better with regular treatment also. They will also look for if any new bad symptoms happen to people who take it and if specific genes affect that.
What is the importance of this study?
Researchers want to learn more about Clozapine and how the body responds to it. Studying these specific genes may help find more clues about the best treatment for those with mental health conditions.