**Clozapine: An Overview**
**Definition:**
Clozapine is an atypical antipsychotic medication primarily used to treat severe schizophrenia and other psychiatric conditions. It is known for its unique mechanism of action and effectiveness in treatment-resistant cases.
**Function:**
Clozapine works by modulating dopamine and serotonin receptors in the brain, reducing psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking. Unlike typical antipsychotics, it has a lower risk of causing extrapyramidal side effects.
**Applications:**
Clozapine is widely used in managing treatment-resistant schizophrenia and reducing the risk of suicidal behavior in patients with schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder. It is also prescribed for bipolar disorder and off-label for other psychiatric conditions. Regular blood monitoring is required due to the risk of agranulocytosis.
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