Fluphenazine
About Fluphenazine
Fluphenazine is an oral prescription medicine used to treat schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. It is prescribed to manage severe mental health symptoms that affect how you think, feel, and behave, such as hearing or seeing things that are not there. This medicine belongs to a class of drugs known as conventional antipsychotics and helps restore the balance of certain natural chemicals in the brain.
To get the best results, you must take Fluphenazine consistently every day, exactly as your doctor directs. You can take this oral medication with or without food, but try to take it at the same time each day to maintain steady levels in your body. Making simple lifestyle adjustments, like drinking plenty of water and avoiding extreme heat, can also support your well-being during treatment.
While taking Fluphenazine, you may experience common side effects like drowsiness, dry mouth, or mild dizziness when standing up. However, you must consult your doctor immediately if you experience serious side effects, such as unusual, uncontrollable muscle movements, a high fever, or severe muscle stiffness.
Do not take this if you have a history of severe brain damage, blood disorders, or liver damage. Talk to your doctor before starting Fluphenazine if you have Parkinson's disease, heart problems, glaucoma, kidney issues, or difficulty urinating. This medication is not approved for treating mental health issues related to dementia in older adults, as it can increase the risk of serious complications. Fluphenazine is generally used in adults and is not approved for use in children under 12 years of age. The safety and dosage of this medicine in children aged 12 years and older should be determined by a specialist. If this medicine is prescribed for a child, always follow the doctor's instructions carefully.
Inform your doctor about all other substances you use, as Fluphenazine can interact with alcohol, sleeping pills, and blood pressure medicines, which can cause severe drowsiness or unsafe drops in blood pressure. If you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, breastfeeding, or are an older adult, consult your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks and benefits of this treatment.
Uses of Fluphenazine
• Treatment of schizophrenia: Fluphenazine helps alleviate psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and hostility.
Medicinal Benefits
Fluphenazine helps manage symptoms of certain mental health conditions by balancing the activity of brain chemicals.
The following are the benefits of this medication:
- Helps reduce symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, suspicious thoughts, and severe confusion.
- Helps improve emotional stability and reduce agitation, anxiety, and restlessness.
- Supports long-term symptom control and helps prevent the recurrence of severe psychiatric symptoms.
- Helps improve daily functioning and social interactions.
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
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Drowsiness or feeling sleepy
- Dry mouth
- Constipation or upset stomach
- Mild dizziness, especially when standing up quickly
- Blurred vision
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Signs of Tardive dyskinesia, such as repetitive, involuntary movements of the face, tongue, lips, jaw, or limbs, may develop after prolonged treatment.
- High fever, severe muscle stiffness, sweating, and rapid heart rate (signs of a rare, serious condition called Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome)
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin (signs of liver damage)
- Sudden fever, sore throat, or signs of infection (which may point to a dangerous drop in white blood cells)
- Severe allergic reactions, such as swelling of the face, lips, or throat, or a severe skin rash
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Check before taking other medicines: Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before using any over-the-counter cough, cold, or allergy medicines. Some of these can increase drowsiness when taken with Fluphenazine.
- Be careful with activities: Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or do anything that requires full alertness until you know how Fluphenazine affects you.
- Watch for unusual muscle movements: Look out for involuntary muscle twitching or movements, especially around your mouth, lips, or face. Contact your doctor immediately if you notice these symptoms.
- Inform your healthcare providers: Tell your surgeon or dentist that you are taking Fluphenazine before any surgery or dental procedure. This helps them plan your treatment safely.
- Avoid if you have an allergy: Do not take Fluphenazine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Fluphenazine or any of its ingredients.
- Do not use in certain medical conditions: Do not take Fluphenazine if you have severe drowsiness or unconsciousness caused by alcohol or medicines, serious blood or liver disorders, severe brain damage, or if you are an older adult with dementia-related psychosis. Always inform your doctor about your medical history before starting treatment.
Drug Interactions
- Sleeping pills and tranquillisers (e.g., lorazepam, zolpidem): Taking these with Fluphenazine can cause extreme drowsiness and slow down your breathing.
- Blood pressure medications (e.g., amlodipine, metoprolol): Combining these can cause your blood pressure to drop too low, leading to dizziness or fainting.
- Medicines with anticholinergic effects (e.g., benztropine, oxybutynin): Using these together can increase dry mouth, constipation, and the risk of heatstroke.
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
- Stay hydrated and cool: This medicine can make it harder for your body to sweat and cool down. Drink plenty of water and avoid strenuous exercise in hot weather or spending long periods in direct sunlight to prevent heatstroke.
- Rise slowly: To prevent dizziness or fainting caused by a temporary drop in blood pressure, take your time when standing up from a sitting or lying position.
- Protect your skin: Fluphenazine can make your skin highly sensitive to sunlight. Wear protective clothing, hats, and high-SPF sunscreen when spending time outdoors.
- Avoid alcohol: Drinking alcohol while taking this medicine can cause severe drowsiness, dizziness, and increase the risk of serious side effects.
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.
No, you should not stop taking Fluphenazine without consulting your doctor. Stopping this medicine suddenly can cause your symptoms to return or cause unwanted side effects. Your doctor will help you by gradually decreasing dose levels when it is safe to do so. Talk to your doctor before making any changes.
Yes, some people may experience weight gain or changes in appetite while taking Fluphenazine. Maintaining a balanced diet and regular physical activity can help manage this. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist for personalised advice.
You may notice some improvement in symptoms like agitation or anxiety within a few days. However, it can take several weeks for the full benefits of Fluphenazine to become apparent. Always continue taking the medicine as prescribed. Talk to your doctor if you feel the medicine is not working.
No, you should avoid alcohol while taking Fluphenazine. Alcohol can increase the risk of severe drowsiness, dizziness, and other dangerous side effects. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about alcohol use.
Yes, Fluphenazine can affect your body's ability to regulate temperature, making you more susceptible to overheating or heatstroke. Drink plenty of water, avoid excessive heat, and stay in cool environments when possible. If you feel dizzy or overheated, seek shade and talk to your doctor.
Fluphenazine is not approved for use in children younger than 12 years of age. In adolescents aged 12 years and older, it should only be used if a doctor determines that it is appropriate. The dose and duration of treatment are decided individually based on the child's age, medical condition, and response to treatment. Never give Fluphenazine to a child unless it has been prescribed and is being supervised by a healthcare professional.
You should consult your doctor before taking Fluphenazine if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. Your doctor will carefully weigh the benefits of treatment against the potential risks to you and your baby. Babies exposed to antipsychotic medicines, including Fluphenazine, during the third trimester of pregnancy may experience temporary symptoms after birth, such as muscle stiffness or limpness, tremors, unusual sleepiness, feeding difficulties, breathing problems, or withdrawal symptoms. These newborns should be monitored by healthcare professionals after delivery. Talk to your doctor before starting, stopping, or changing this medicine during pregnancy.
Yes, Fluphenazine frequently causes drowsiness and may impair your reaction times. You should avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing any hazardous tasks until you know how this medication affects you. Talk to your doctor if you experience ongoing fatigue or sleepiness.
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