Thioridazine: Drug Information

Other names: Melozine, Ridazin, Sycoril, Tensaril, Thiozid

Drug Class: Phenothiazine, Antipsychotic

Uses of Thioridazine:

Thioridazine is used in the treatment of various mental disorders such as anxiety, restlessness, agitation, tension, depressed mood, combativeness, poor concentration, geriatric fears, poor concentration and sleep disturbances. This medicine belongs to the class of phenothiazines and helps curb hyper excitability, explosive behavior and other behavior problems in children. It is also used in the shot term treatment of hyperactivity and conduct disorders in children.

Dosage:

This medicine is available in the form of tablets and must be taken orally in prescribed doses as mentioned by your doctor. DO NOT exceed the dose on your own. You can take the medicine with meals in order to avoid stomach upset.

Contraindications:

Thioridazine should not be taken if you are hypersensitive to phenothiazines.

This medicine can cause severecentral nervous system (CNS) depression.

It cal also cause tardive dyskinesia.

Patients with a history of blood dyscrasias should not be given this medicine.

Patients with a history of blood pressure, cardiovascular disease or other ailments such as Parkinsonism, low potassium or magnesium levels and apos’s disease should not take this medicine.

This medicine is not meant to be given to unconscious patients.

Warning and Precautions:

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or lactating before taking this medicine.

Caution should be maintained if you are suffering from a liver or kidney problem.

You must get your blood counts regularly monitored in the first 3 to 4 months of treatment with Thioridazine.

This medicine can cause sedation and drowsiness; therefore, it is recommended that you avoid driving or operating any heavy machinery after taking it.

Drug Interactions:

Thioridazine should not be taken with antacids as they interfere with its absorption.

It is known to aggravate the side affects of anticholinergics.

It should not be used with tricyclic antidepressants and mono amine oxidise inhibitors (MAOIs).

Fatal reactions can occur with various medicines such as bepridl, disopyramide, halofantrine, droperidol, sparfloxacin, ziprasidone and pimozide.

Thioridazine augments central nervous system (CNS) depression and results in a host of cardiac and respiratory problems if taken with analgesics, alcohol, anesthetics, narcotics and hypnotics.

Do not take it with lithium as it can lead to neurotoxicity.

Side Effects of Thioridazine:

Some of the most common side effects of the medication include drowsiness, dry mouth, constipation, nasal congestion, blurring of vision, tardive dyskinesia, sexual dysfunction, postural hypotension and pigmentary retinopathy.