Fluphenazine is an antipsychotic drug called phenothiazine that is used to treat psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia. Phenothiazine is being used to treat psychosis. Generally, its properties and uses are close to those of chlorpromazine.
Fluphenazine Uses
This drug is a long-acting form of fluphenazine used to treat many mental/mood issues. Fluphenazine decanoate is widely used in patients who have undergone short-acting fluphenazine formulations at regular doses and who may benefit from less frequent, long-term treatment. Fluphenazine belongs to a class of drugs known as phenothiazines, which are also known as neuroleptics. It works by affecting the brain's balance of natural chemicals (neurotransmitters). Some of the advantages of this medication's includes decreased hallucinations, delusions, or bizarre behaviour episodes that arise in schizophrenia patients.
Fluphenazine Side Effects
Some of the common side effects of fluphenazine are:
- Upset stomach
- Weakness or tiredness
- Insomnia
- Nightmares
- Dry mouth
- More sensitive skins
- Changes in appetite
Some of the serious side effects of fluphenazine are:
- Constipation
- Difficulty in urinating
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Severe skin rash
- Irregular heartbeat
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes
If you have any of these serious symptoms immediately contact your doctor for further assistance. In any case, due to fluphenazine if you get any kind of reactions in your body try avoiding it.
A doctor advised you to take the medicines by seeing your problems and the benefits of this medicine are greater than the side effects. Majority of the people who use this medicine don’t show any side effects. Get medical help immediately if you get any serious fluphenazine side effects.
Precautions
Before using fluphenazine talk with your doctor if you are allergic to it or any other medications. The product may contain some inactive ingredients which can cause some serious allergic reactions or some other serious problems.
Before using the fluphenazine talk with your doctor if you are having any medical history such as:
- Brain damage
- Nervous system problems
- Blood problems
- Liver problems
- Eye problems
- Heart problems
- Kidney problems
- Low blood calcium
How to take fluphenazine?
This drug is administered by injection by a nurse or doctor into a muscle (intramuscularly-IM) or underneath the skin (subcutaneously-subQ). Usually, this drug is injected every 4-6 weeks, or as instructed by your doctor. Usually, this drug is light yellow in colour. Do not use the liquid if the liquid becomes darker than light yellow, discoloured in some other way, or if particles appear in the liquid.
Dosage Forms and Strengths
Fluphenazine 5mg tablet
- Fluphenazine Hydrochloride- 2.5 mg
- Fluphenazine Decanoate-25 mg/1mL
Missed Dose
Missing one or two-dose of fluphenazine won’t show any effect on your body. The skipped dose causes no problem. But with some medication, it won’t work if you don’t take the dosage on time. If you miss a dose some sudden chemical change may affect your body. In some cases, your doctor would advise you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.
Overdose
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed fluphenazine tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.
Interactions
The doctors may already be aware of and may be monitoring you for, any potential medication reactions. Before consulting with them first, do not start, stop or change the dosage of any drug. Tell your doctor or pharmacist about any pharmaceutical and nonprescription/herbal drugs you might need before taking this drug, including anticholinergics (e.g., atropine), dopamine agonists (e.g., cabergoline, levodopa, pergolide), guanadrel, guanethidine, lithium.
Storage
Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. Exposure to medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach.
Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Before taking fluphenazine consult your Doctor. In case if you face any problems or get any side effects after taking fluphenazine rush immediately to your nearby hospital or consult your doctor for better treatment. Carry your medications always in your bag while travelling to avoid any immediate emergencies. Follow your prescription and follow your Doctor advice whenever you take fluphenazine.
Fluphenazine vs Nortriptyline
| Fluphenazine is an antipsychotic drug called phenothiazine that is used to treat psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia. | Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. The medication affects the chemicals in the brain which can be unbalanced in people with depression. |
| Fluphenazine belongs to a class of drugs known as phenothiazines, which are also known as neuroleptics. It works by affecting the brain's balance of natural chemicals (neurotransmitters). | Nortriptyline belongs to the class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. The medication works by affecting the balance of certain natural chemicals in the brain. |
Some of the common side effects of fluphenazine are:
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Some of the common side effects of Nortriptyline are:
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