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| FLUPHENAZINE |
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| What
is FLUPHENAZINE? |
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Fluphenazine is used in the treatment of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. This drug is also used in mania, anxiety and impulsive disorders.
Fluphenazine is available as coated tablets and injection. |
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| How
should I use FLUPHENAZINE? |
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Depending on your condition your doctor will prescribe a special dosage of the drug. Take Fluphenazine exactly as directed by your doctor, and do NOT change the dosage on your own. You should also read the directions on the drug leaflet carefully.
Do NOT stop taking fluphenazine, even if you feel well, without talking to your doctor. This is very important, specially if you have been taking large doses of drug for a long time. Talk to your doctor, he’ll probably order you how to decrease the dosage little by little. In addition, fluphenazine must be taken at least for a few weeks until you feel its effects. |
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| Contraindications |
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Fluphenazine should not be used in patients with severe low or high blood pressure, some heart arrhythmias and severe nervous system depression like coma. |
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| If
you miss a dose! |
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Take the missed dose of fluphenazine as soon as you remember it. But if it’s almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular schedule. Do NOT take a double dose to make up for a missed one. |
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| Dietary
instructions |
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You can take fluphenazine with or without food. |
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| Special
Precautions & Warnings |
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Tell your doctor if:
• You are allergic to fluphenazine or any other drugs.
• You are taking any drugs, prescription or non-prescription, specially antacids, anti-anxiety medications, antidepressants, anti-epileptic drugs (eg carbamazepine, phenytoin and valproic acid), antihistamines and drugs for cold, allergy or asthma, beta-blockers (eg atenolol, metoprolol and propranolol), bromocriptine, cimetidine, diet pills, drugs for thyroid problems, levodopa, lithium, medications for high blood pressure, methyldopa, narcotics (eg codeine), phenobarbital, sedatives (eg diazepam), trihexyphenidyl and vitamins.
• You have or have had heart, liver, kidney or lung disease, any psychiatric or neurologic disorders, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), high blood pressure, postural drop in blood pressure, glaucoma (high eye pressure), thyroid diseases, prostate or urinary tract problems and drug or alcohol abuse.
• You are going to have a surgery, including dental procedures.
• You smoke cigarettes or tobacco. |
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| Side
Effects |
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Fluphenazine commonly causes side effects. You may experience the following signs and symptoms; Consult your doctor in case they get worse or persist:
Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, agitation, troubled sleeping, problems with memory or concentration, light-headedness, excessive sweating, nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, upset stomach, diarrhea, constipation, change in appetite or weight, breast problems, changes in periods, sexual problems and hypersensitivity to sunlight.
But if you experience any of the following signs or symptoms, see your doctor immediately:
Confusion, tremor, convulsion, blurred vision, fever, yellow skin or eyes, skin rash, unusual muscle stiffness, unusual face, mouth, jaw or tongue movements, unusual gait, palpitation or irregular heartbeat, unusual bleeding and difficulty with urination or bladder incontinence. |
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| Storage |
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Keep fluphenazine in its container, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store tablets at room temperature, away from direct light, excess heat or moisture. Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Do not use injections that you notice a change in their color or content. |
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| Emergency/Overdose |
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In case of emergency or overdose seek help at the nearest medical centre and do carry the drug container. Some symptoms of overdose are severe drowsiness, confusion and blurred vision. |
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| Drug
interactions |
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Taking fluphenazine with other nervous system depressants such as antidepressants, antihistamines, sedatives and opioid pain-killers, can increase the depressing effects of fluphenazine.
• Fluphenazine can cause drop in blood pressure, which is aggravated if taken with blood pressure lowering drugs, anti-depressants or nitrates (like isosorbide dinitrate).
• Taking antacids (eg alluminium hydroxide) with fluphenazine decreases the absorption of this drug. Take fluphenazine 2 hours before or after antacids.
• Fluphenazine decreases the effects of levodopa used in Parkinson’s disease.
• Fluphenazine has serious interaction with lithium, metoclopramide and methyldopa.
• Fluphenazine can increase the chance of seizures in patients with epilepsy.
• Fluphenazine can cause serious arrhythmias if taken with anti-arrhythmic drugs, beta-blockers (eg atenolol, metoprolol and propranolol), terfenadine and astemizole.
• Cigarette can increase the metabolism of fluphenazine and thus reduce its effects. |
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| Children,
pregnant women & nursing mothers |
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• Fluphenazine can be used in children if only prescribed by a doctor.
• If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, consult your doctor to be informed of benefits and risks of therapy.
• Fluphenazine is excreted in breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in your baby. Consult your doctor if you are breast feeding while taking this drug. |
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| More
information |
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• Fluphenazine can make you feel drowsy or dizzy, so do not drive a car or operate a machinary until you come to know how much it affects you. Besides, alcohol can add to the drowsiness of fluphenazine, thus do not drink alcohol till you know how they work on you.
• Try to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and wear proper clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen while taking this drug. Fluphenazine may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.
• Fluphenazine can cause light-headedness and the feeling of collapse if you change position quickly. So try to stand slowly from the sitting position if you feel light-headed.
• Some symptoms of psychosis (eg schizophrenia) include delusions (false or unreal beliefs), hallucinations (like hearing voices), unorganized thought and hostility.
• Your urine color may turn red to brown, which is not harmful. However if this is accompanied with unusual bleeding tendencies, you must see your doctor right away. |
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