Norclozapine

Norclozapine (also known as desmethylclozapine) is a major metabolite of the atypical antipsychotic drug clozapine. Unlike most other drugs, therapeutic monitoring of clozapine is usually performed using measurements of norclozapine in the patient's blood.

Pharmacology[edit | edit source]

Norclozapine acts as a 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptor antagonist and also as a potent 5-HT3 and alpha-1 adrenergic antagonist. It has weaker actions at the D2, D3, and D4 receptors, and is also a potent H1 antagonist.

Clinical significance[edit | edit source]

Norclozapine is usually present in the plasma at concentrations approximately 40% of the clozapine level. The levels of norclozapine in the blood are monitored to ensure that they are in an effective therapeutic range. It is not clear whether norclozapine is a significant factor in the effectiveness of clozapine therapy, or if it contributes to some of the side effects of clozapine, such as sedation, orthostatic hypotension, or weight gain.

See also[edit | edit source]

Norclozapine Resources
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