Clozapine might be helpful for my loved one with schizophrenia. What do I need to know?

Note: NAMI volunteers are not medical or mental health professionals, and we cannot offer medical or mental health advice. The material outlined below is informational, and we hope that it helps provide guidance toward getting support. 

Clozapine (brand names Clozaril® and Versacloz®) is a second-generation antipsychotic (SGA) medication that treats schizophrenia. It helps to reduce or get rid of symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, challenges with thinking and speaking, and suicidal behavior. 

Clozapine has been a highly effective, life-saving treatment for many people who live with schizophrenia. Like other medications, Clozapine can come with some side effects. Because of one side effect related to low white blood cell counts (agranulocytosis), this medication has been highly regulated. Physicians have historically only been able to prescribe it to patients who did not respond well to other treatments. They also had to complete extra paperwork and provide justification to prescribe Clozapine to someone who might benefit from it. 

These requirements made it difficult for many people who may benefit from Clozapine to access it, so individuals, family members, and organizations like NAMI have advocated for Clozapine to be more easily accessible. In 2025, the federal program that required extra paperwork and medical justification for physicians to prescribe this medication was ended. This means that it is now easier for physicians to prescribe Clozapine to those who might benefit from it. 

Read NAMI’s Clozapine webpage to learn more about the medication, how it works, and its side effects. If you think Clozapine might be helpful for your loved one’s recovery, consider partnering with them to explore this medication option with their provider or treatment team. 

We are so glad you found this information. NAMI HelpLine offers a Family Caregiver Service. It brings together family caregivers with shared experiences and equips HelpLine Specialists with knowledge and insights into what helps. If you are a family caregiver and would like support from a peer, we encourage you to call the NAMI Family Caregiver HelpLine at 800-950-NAMI (6264) or send a text to 62640. We are available Monday through Friday, from 10:00 am to 10:00 pm EST.

Hours of operation: Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. – 10 p.m. EST 

Call: 800-950-NAMI (6264) 

Text: 62640  

Email: helpline@nami.org

Website: www.nami.org/help