Fluphenazine
About Fluphenazine
Fluphenazine belongs to a group of medicines called 'antipsychotics,' primarily used to treat schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms like hallucinations, delusions, and hostility (unfriendly or opposed behaviour). Schizophrenia is a mental condition in which the person may feel, hear or see things that are not there (hallucinations), believe things that are not true, and feel unusually suspicious or confused.
Fluphenazine contains 'Fluphenazine' that works by blocking the effects of chemical messengers (dopamine) in the brain and improves thinking, mood, and behaviour. Thereby, Fluphenazine decreases hallucinations and delusions associated with schizophrenia.
Your doctor will decide the dose and duration based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Common side effects of Fluphenazine include drowsiness, headache, dizziness, light-headedness, nausea, loss of appetite, dry mouth, sweating, and constipation. These side effects are not familiar to everyone and vary from person to person. If you notice any side effects that are not manageable, please consult your doctor.
Fluphenazine is not recommended for treatment in patients with dementia-related psychosis. If you are taking any prescription or non-prescription medications, please inform your doctor before starting Fluphenazine. Inform your doctor beforehand if you have a history of liver or kidney diseases, heart problems, breathing problems, blood problems, glaucoma, depression and fits. If you are pregnant, planning to conceive, or a breastfeeding mother, inform your doctor before starting Fluphenazine. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Fluphenazine as it can make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery while using Fluphenazine, as it may cause drowsiness and impair your driving ability. Fluphenazine is not approved for anyone younger than 12 years of age.
Uses of Fluphenazine
• Treatment of schizophrenia: Fluphenazine helps alleviate psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and hostility.
Medicinal Benefits
Fluphenazine is used to treat schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms. It contains Fluphenazine, which works by blocking the effects of chemical messengers (dopamine) in the brain. Fluphenazine helps in clear thinking and relieves the psychotic symptoms like delusions, hostility, and hallucinations associated with schizophrenia.
Directions for Use
- Fluphenazine can be taken with or without food, as directed by your doctor.
- The dosage and frequency of Fluphenazine should be based on your doctor's instructions.
- Swallow Fluphenazine whole with a glass of water.
- Do not chew, crush, or break the tablet.
Storage
Side Effects of Fluphenazine
- Drowsiness
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Light-headedness
- Nausea
- Loss of appetite
- Dry mouth
- Sweating
- Constipation
Drug Warnings
Fluphenazine is not recommended for treatment in patients with dementia-related psychosis. Before using Fluphenazine, let your doctor know if you have a medical history of liver or kidney diseases, heart problems, breathing problems (asthma), pheochromocytoma, fits, glaucoma, blood problems (leukopenia, thrombocytopenia), low blood calcium levels, enlarged prostate, and breast cancer. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or a breastfeeding mother before starting Fluphenazine. Avoid alcohol consumption along with Fluphenazine as it might lead to increased side effects like dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid driving or operating machinery, as Fluphenazine may decrease your mental alertness, causing you to feel dizzy or drowsy. Fluphenazine is not recommended for children under 12 years of age, as its safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Fluphenazine may interact with opioid pain relievers (codeine, hydrocodone), anti-anxiety drugs (alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), anti-allergic drugs (cetirizine), common cold medicines (diphenhydramine), antidepressants (escitalopram, fluoxetine, sertraline), and antipsychotics (quetiapine).
Drug-Food Interactions: Do not consume alcohol while taking Fluphenazine as it could lead to increased dizziness and drowsiness.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Before using Fluphenazine, let your doctor know if you have liver or kidney diseases, heart problems, breast cancer, breathing problems, stroke, dementia, fits, low white blood cells, and an enlarged prostate.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionIt is advised to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Fluphenazine. Alcohol intake, along with Fluphenazine, may cause increased dizziness and drowsiness. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Pregnancy
cautionInform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or in the last few months of pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Fluphenazine, contact your doctor immediately, as taking Fluphenazine in pregnancy may cause problems for your baby after birth.
Breast Feeding
cautionIt is unknown if this medicine is excreted into the breast milk. Please consult your doctor before taking Fluphenazine if you are a breastfeeding mother.
Driving
cautionFluphenazine may make you feel dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive if you are not mentally alert or experience any symptoms that affect your ability to drive or operate machinery.
Liver
cautionPlease inform your doctor if you have liver impairment/liver disease before taking Fluphenazine.
Kidney
cautionPlease inform your doctor if you have kidney impairment/kidney disease before taking Fluphenazine.
Children
unsafeFluphenazine is not approved for anyone younger than 12 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain proper weight by following a healthy diet.
- Exercise regularly, as it helps reduce cognitive decline and brain volume loss.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Try to avoid stress by practising meditation or yoga.
- Include fruits and vegetables in your diet as they contain antioxidants.
- Eat nutritious food, as it helps stimulate cognitive function.
- Limit foods with high cholesterol and saturated fats.
- Cut down on sugar, salt and processed foods.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Follow a regular sleep pattern.
Special Advise
- This medicine may interfere with pregnancy tests, phenylketonuria tests, and some urine tests. Tell your doctor that you are taking Fluphenazine if you undergo medical examinations.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Schizophrenia: It is a condition in which the person may see, hear or feel things that are not there, believe things that are not true, or feel unusually suspicious or confused. Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, movement disorders, disorganised thinking, loss of interest, lack of emotions, etc. Schizophrenia is triggered by physical, genetic, psychological, and environmental factors. Patients suffering from this disease may require lifelong treatment. Treatment involves a combination of medications, psychotherapy and care services.
FAQs
Fluphenazine contains Fluphenazine, which works by blocking the effects of chemical messengers (dopamine) in the brain, improving mood, behaviour, and thoughts in schizophrenia.
Before using Fluphenazine, let your doctor know if you have a medical history of liver or kidney diseases, heart problems (history of stroke), breathing problems (asthma, emphysema), pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumour), fits, low white blood cells, glaucoma, blood problems (leukopenia, thrombocytopenia), low blood calcium levels, enlarged prostate, and breast cancer. Please inform your doctor of any other medical conditions you may have before starting Fluphenazine.
Fluphenazine is not recommended for dementia patients since it can lead to serious side effects like heart failure, fast/irregular heartbeat, and pneumonia. However, please discuss this with the doctor for more information.
Dry mouth may be a side-effect of Fluphenazine. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drinking water regularly, and chewing sugar-free gum or candy may help stimulate saliva and prevent mouth dryness.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is time for the next scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and follow your usual dosage.
