Patient's question:
My wife has a mental illness and has been taking clozapine for several years. Now she takes 7-8 tablets a day. This medication has significant side effects. Are there any Chinese herbal medicines that can replace it? We are planning to have a child.Doctor's answer:
Chlorpromazine and other antipsychotic Western medicines have a dependency, so they cannot be stopped without alternative medications. Otherwise, the condition will worsen. This is because they only treat symptoms, not the root cause. Additionally, they have significant side effects and can harm liver, kidney, and brain functions. Therefore, it is not advisable to conceive a child while taking these medications, as they can have adverse effects on fetal growth and development and intelligence. Moreover, your wife is currently taking a substantial dosage, making it risky to conceive a child under these circumstances.For your wife's situation, I recommend introducing herbal treatments with no side effects or dependency. Gradually, under the effect of the herbs, the current dosage of chlorpromazine can be reduced in stages. Once the medication is completely tapered off, the herbal treatments can then be discontinued before conceiving a child.