Tuesday, September 13, 2016

thioridazine


Generic Name: thioridazine (THYE oh RID a zeen)

Brand names: Mellaril, Mellaril-S


What is thioridazine?

Thioridazine is an anti-psychotic medication in a group of drugs called phenothiazines (FEEN-oh-THYE-a-zeens). It works by changing the actions of chemicals in your brain.


Thioridazine is used to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.


Thioridazine is usually given after other medications have been tried without successful treatment of schizophrenia.


Thioridazine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.


What is the most important information I should know about thioridazine?


Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs. These could be early signs of dangerous side effects. Thioridazine is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Thioridazine may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions. You should not use thioridazine if you have brain damage, bone marrow depression, severe heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder, a history of "Long QT syndrome," or if you are also using large amounts of alcohol or medicines that make you sleepy.

Do not take thioridazine together with large amounts of alcohol or medicines that make you sleepy, or with medications that can affect heart rhythm. There are many medicines that should not be taken together with thioridazine because they may cause serious medical problems. Tell your doctor about all other medications you use.


Before you take thioridazine, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder, low levels of calcium or potassium in your blood, past or present breast cancer, liver or kidney disease, severe asthma or breathing problems, a history of seizures, Parkinson's disease, adrenal gland tumor, enlarged prostate or urination problems, glaucoma, or if you have ever had a serious side effect while using thioridazine or a similar medication.


What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking thioridazine?


Thioridazine is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Thioridazine may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions. You should not use thioridazine if you are allergic to it, or if you have brain damage, bone marrow depression, severe heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder, a history of "Long QT syndrome," or if you are also using large amounts of alcohol or medicines that make you sleepy.

There are many medicines that should not be taken together with thioridazine because they may cause serious medical problems. Tell your doctor about all other medications you take, including:



  • antibiotics;




  • antidepressants;




  • blood pressure medications;




  • medications to treat or prevent malaria;




  • cancer medications;




  • certain HIV/AIDS medications;




  • migraine headache medicine;




  • heart rhythm medications;




  • medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting;




  • certain narcotic pain medicines; and




  • other anti-psychotic medicines.



To make sure you can safely take thioridazine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:



  • heart disease, high blood pressure, or a heart rhythm disorder;




  • low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia);




  • past or present breast cancer;



  • liver or kidney disease;


  • severe asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problem;




  • a history of seizures;




  • Parkinson's disease;




  • adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma);




  • enlarged prostate or urination problems;




  • low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia);




  • glaucoma; or




  • if you have ever had a serious side effect while using thioridazine or another phenothiazine.




It is not known whether thioridazine will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Taking antipsychotic medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking thioridazine, do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice. Thioridazine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take thioridazine?


Take exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results.


To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your heart function may need to be checked using an electrocardiograph or ECG (sometimes called an EKG). This machine measures electrical activity of the heart. Visit your doctor regularly.


Store thioridazine at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

See also: Thioridazine dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?


Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.


What happens if I overdose?


Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include stomach cramps, extreme dizziness, dry skin, decreased urination, uncontrollable muscle movements, confusion, agitation, feeling hot or cold, fast or pounding heartbeat, fainting, slow heart rate, weak or shallow breathing, and seizure (convulsions).


What should I avoid while taking thioridazine?


Thioridazine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall. Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of thioridazine. Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Thioridazine can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Thioridazine side effects


Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using thioridazine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

  • fast or pounding heartbeat;




  • twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs;




  • tremor (uncontrolled shaking), drooling, trouble swallowing, problems with balance or walking;




  • feeling restless, jittery, or agitated;




  • very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, feeling like you might pass out;




  • seizure (convulsions);




  • decreased night vision, tunnel vision, watery eyes, increased sensitivity to light;




  • pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, sore throat, flu symptoms;




  • urinating less than usual or not at all;




  • nausea and stomach pain, skin rash, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);




  • joint pain or swelling with fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, chest pain, vomiting, unusual thoughts or behavior, and patchy skin color; or




  • slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop).



Less serious side effects may include:



  • dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety;




  • dry mouth, stuffy nose, constipation;




  • blurred vision, headache;




  • breast swelling or discharge;




  • changes in your menstrual periods;




  • weight gain, swelling in your hands or feet;




  • impotence, trouble having an orgasm;




  • increased or decreased interest in sex;




  • sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams; or




  • mild itching or skin rash.



This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.


Thioridazine Dosing Information


Usual Adult Dose for Schizophrenia:

Initial dose: 50 to 100 mg orally 3 times a day.
Maintenance dose: May gradually increase to 200 to 800 mg/day in 2 to 4 divided doses.

Usual Pediatric Dose for Schizophrenia:


2 to 12 years:
Initial dose: 0.5 mg/kg/day in 2 to 3 divided doses.
Maintenance dose: May gradually increase up to a maximum of 3 mg/kg/day in divided doses.

13 to 18 years:
Initial dose: 50 to 100 mg orally 3 times a day.
Maintenance dose: May gradually increase to 200 to 800 mg/day in 2 to 4 divided doses.


What other drugs will affect thioridazine?


Cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to sleepiness caused by thioridazine. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines, or any other anti-psychotic medications.

  • atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine);




  • lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);




  • an antibiotic;




  • birth control pills or hormone replacement estrogens;




  • a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);




  • certain asthma medications or bronchodilators;




  • incontinence medications;




  • insulin or diabetes medications you take by mouth;




  • medication for nausea, vomiting, or motion sickness;




  • medications used for general anesthesia;




  • numbing medicine such as lidocaine or Novocain;




  • medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection;




  • a stimulant or ADHD medication;




  • ulcer or irritable bowel medications; or




  • medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, restless leg syndrome, or pituitary gland tumor (prolactinoma).




This list is not complete and there are many other drugs that can cause serious or life-threatening medical problems if you take them together with thioridazine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

More thioridazine resources


  • Thioridazine Side Effects (in more detail)
  • Thioridazine Dosage
  • Thioridazine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
  • Drug Images
  • Thioridazine Drug Interactions
  • Thioridazine Support Group
  • 1 Review for Thioridazine - Add your own review/rating


  • Thioridazine Prescribing Information (FDA)

  • Thioridazine MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)



Compare thioridazine with other medications


  • Schizophrenia


Where can I get more information?


  • Your pharmacist can provide more information about thioridazine.

See also: thioridazine side effects (in more detail)


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