Description
Clozapine (5786-21-0) is a dopamine D4?and D2?receptor antagonist. High affinity for the cloned rat dopamine D4?receptor (Ki?< 20 nM).1?Atypical neuroleptic agent.2?Antagonist at 5HT2A, 5HT2C, 5HT3, 5HT6 and 5HT7 receptors.3,4
Originator
Leponex,Wander,W. Germany,1974
Definition
ChEBI: A benzodiazepine that is 5H-dibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazepine substituted by a chloro group at position 8 and a 4-methylpiperazin-1-yl group at position 11. It is a second generation antipsychotic used in the treatment of psychiatr
c disorders like schizophrenia.
Manufacturing Process
7.4 g of 2-amino-4-chlorodiphenylamine-2'-carboxylic acid (4"-methyl)
piperazide and 35 ml of phosphoroxychloride are heated for 3 hours under
reflux in the presence of 1.4 ml of N,N-dimethylaniline. Upon concentration of
the reaction mixture in vacuo as far as possible, the residue is distributed
between benzene and ammonia/ice water. The benzene solution is extracted
with dilute acetic acid. The acid extract is clarified with charcoal and treated
with concentrated ammonia water to precipitate the alkaline substance, which
is dissolved in ether. The ethereal solution is washed with water and dried
over sodium sulfate. The residue obtained yields, after recrystallization from
ether/petroleum ether 2.9 g (41% of the theoretical yield) of 8-chloro-11-(4-
methyl-1-piperazinyl)-5H-dibenzo[b,e][1,4]diazepine in the form of yellow
grains of melting point 182° to 184°C (from acetone/petroleum ether).
Brand name
Clozaril (Novartis); Fazaclo (Avanir);Leponox.
Therapeutic Function
Tranquilizer
World Health Organization (WHO)
Clozapine, a tricyclic neuroleptic, was introduced in 1972 for the
treatment of psychosis. In 1975 its use was associated with cases of
agranulocytosis, particularly in Finland. These cases, which included several
fatalities, resulted in the withdrawal of the drug in some countries. However,
clozapine remains available in at least 30 countries, in some cases only on special
request, for the treatment of severe psychotic disorders unresponsive to other
neuroleptics provided that close monitoring of the blood count is feasible. In 1989,
it was introduced in the United States for the treatment of severe schizophrenia.
Lately, the use of clozapine in the United Kingdom has been associated with
convulsions.
(Reference: (WHODIB) WHO Drug Information Bulletin, 2: 10, , 1977)
Biological Activity
Atypical antipsychotic drug, with a much lower tendency to cause extrapyramidal side effects than conventional neuroleptics. Displays a broad range of pharmacological actions; the antipsychotic effects are thought to be mediated principally by 5-HT 2A/2C and dopamine receptor blockade (K i values are 21, 170, 170, 230 and 330 nM for D 4 , D 3 , D 1 , D 2 and D 5 receptors respectively).
Biochem/physiol Actions
Atypical antipsychotic compound. Selective antagonist for D4-dopamine receptor. Antagonist at 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C, 5-HT3, 5-HT6, and 5-HT7 serotonin receptors.
Clinical Use
Although clozapine demonstrates a favorable pharmacologicalprofile compared with typical antipsychotics, its useis restricted by a relatively high incidence of agranulocytosis.The exact mechanism for the cause of agranulocytosishas not been confirmed, but a highly reactive nitrenium ionthat is formed by the action of hepatic enzymes appears tobe involved.The mean elimination half-life of clozapine following a single 75-mg dose is 8 hours. Because of severaladverse effects, clozapine is only used in refractory casesof schizophrenia. Individuals with a history of seizures orpredisposed to seizures should be cautioned when takingclozapine. Similar to other atypical antipsychotic agents,clozapine causes an increased risk of mortality in elderly individualswith dementia-related psychoses.
Synthesis
Clozapine, 8-chloro-11-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)-5H-dibenzo[b,e] [1,4]diazepine (6.5.7) is synthesized by two methods. According to the first, 4-chloro-2-nitroaniline in the presence of copper filings is acylated by the o-chlorobenzoic acid methyl ester, forming the corresponding diphenylamine (6.5.4). By reacting this with N-methyl piperazine, the ester group in the resulting polyfunctional diphenylamine is transformed into the amide (6.5.5). The nitro group in the resulting 4-chloro-2- nitro-2′-carb-(N′-methyl piperazino)amide (6.5.5) is further reduced into an amine group by hydrogen in the presence of Raney nickel. Reacting the resulting product (6.5.6) with phosphorous oxychloride yields in heterocyclization into the desired dibenzodiazepine, clozapine (6.5.7).

The other way of synthesis of clozapine is from 8-chloro-10,11-dihydro-5H-dibenzo[b,e]1, 4-diazepin-11-thione, which is alkylated at the sulfur atom of the dibenzodiazepine ring by 4-nitrobenzylchloride in the presence of potassium tert-butoxide, giving N-methyl derivative (6.5.8). Reaction of this with N-methylpiperazine gives the desired clozapine (6.5.7).
Drug interactions
Potentially hazardous interactions with other drugs
Anaesthetics: enhanced hypotensive effect.
Analgesics: increased risk of convulsions with
tramadol; enhanced hypotensive and sedative
effects with opioids; increased risk of ventricular
arrhythmias with methadone.
Anti-arrhythmics: increased risk of ventricular
arrhythmias with anti-arrhythmics that prolong
the QT interval; increased risk of arrhythmias with
flecainide.
Antibacterials: concentration possibly increased
by erythromycin (possible increased risk
of convulsions); concentration increased by
ciprofloxacin; concentration possibly reduced
by rifampicin; avoid with chloramphenicol and
sulphonamides (increased risk agranulocytosis).
Antidepressants: concentration possibly increased
by citalopram, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, paroxetine,
sertraline and venlafaxine (increased risk of toxicity);
possibly increased CNS effects of MAOIs; possibly
increased antimuscarinic effects with tricyclics;
increased concentration of tricyclics.
Antiepileptics: antagonises anticonvulsant effect;
metabolism accelerated by carbamazepine, phenytoin
and possibly phenobarbital; avoid with drugs known
to cause agranulocytosis; concentration possibly
increased or decreased by valproate.
Antimalarials: avoid with artemether/lumefantrine.
Antipsychotics: avoid with depot formulations
(cannot be withdrawn quickly if neutropenia occurs);
possible increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias
with risperidone - avoid.
Antivirals: concentration increased by ritonavir -
avoid; increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias with
saquinavir - avoid.
Anxiolytics and hypnotics: increased sedative effects;
adverse reports with clozapine and benzodiazepines.
Atomoxetine: increased risk of ventricular
arrhythmias.
Cytotoxics: increased risk of agranulocytosis - avoid;
increased risk of ventricular arrhythmias with arsenic
trioxide.
Lithium: increased risk of extrapyramidal side effects
and possibly neurotoxicity.
Penicillamine: increased risk of agranulocytosis -
avoid.
Ulcer-healing drugs: effects possibly enhanced
by cimetidine; concentration possibly reduced by
omeprazole.
Metabolism
Clozapine is orally active and metabolized mainly by CYP3A4 to
inactive desmethyl, hydroxyl, and N-oxide derivatives, with a half-life of approximately 12 hours. Clozapine has relatively low affinity for brain dopamine D1 and D2 receptors (moderate affinity for D4) in comparison to its affinity
at adrenergic α1 and α2, histamine H1, muscarinic M1 and serotonin 5-HT2A receptors.
References
1) Seeman and Van Tol (1994),?Dopamine receptor pharmacology;? Trends Pharmacol. Sci.,?15?264
2) Ellenbroek?et al. (1991),?The involvement of dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the effects of the classical neuroleptic haloperidol and the atypical neuroleptic clozapine;? Eur. J. Pharmacol.,?196?103
3) Canton?et al.?(1990),?Binding of the typical and atypical antipsychotics to 5-HT1C and 5-HT2 sites: clozapine potently interacts with 5-HT1C sites;? Eur. J. Pharmacol.,?191?93
4) Kuoppamaki?et al.?(1993),?Clozapine and N-desmethylclozapine are potent 5-HT1C receptor antagonists;? Eur. J. Pharmacol., 245?179