Fluphenazine: Drug Information

Brand Name: Permitil, Prolixin Decanoate

Other names: Anatensol decanoate, Fludecan, Prolinate

Drug Class: Phenothiazine, Antipsychotic

Uses of Fluphenazine:

Fluphenazine is an antipsychotic drug that is used in the treatment of mania, psychosis and schizophrenia. It helps treat delusions, hallucinations and mental confusion and alleviates aggression and restlessness. It has a calming effect on schizophrenic patients and enables them to relax.

Dosage:

Fluphenazine is given as an intramuscular injection and must be taken as directed by your doctor. You must not stop taking this medicine abruptly without the doctor’s consent as it may worsen your present condition.

Warning and Precautions:

Do not take Fluphenazine if you are hypersensitive to the drug.

This medicine is not recommended for patients diagnosed with or having a history of blood dyscrasias, liver disease, seizures, hypotension, Parkinson’s disease, adrenal gland tumor or Reye syndrome.

This medicine should not be given in the presence of a suspected or establishedsubcortical brain damage.

Do not give this medicine if the patient is in comatose state or is severely depressed.

Fluphenazine should not be given to pregnant women as it can harm the fetus. Thus, it is essential for you to tell your doctor if you are pregnant or are planning to become pregnant before taking this medicine.

Caution is advised when administering this drug to patients with convulsive disorders or cardiovascular disease.

Tell your doctor if you are nursing before taking Fluphenazine.

Strict drug monitoring is required when giving this medicine to children and the elderly.

Drug Interactions:

Fluphenazine should not be taken with guanethidine, methyldopa and clonidine as it reverses the antihypertensive effects of these medicines. Fluphenazine increases lithium toxicity and has reduced bioavailability with antacids. This medicine should not be taken along with central nervous system (CNS) depressants such as alcohol, barbiturates, hypnotics, sedatives, opiates and antihistamines.

Side effects of Fluphenazine:

Some of the most common side effects of the medication include tardive dyskinesia, sedation, mental confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, dystonia, loss of libido, impotence, sterility in males, allergic skin reactions, cholestatic jaundice, corneal and lens deposits, skin pigmentation, malignant neuroleptic syndrome and hyperprolactinaemia leading to galactorrhoea and amenorrhea in women.

Overdose:

In case of an overdose of the medication, you must report to your doctor at the earliest or contact your local poison control center.