Flupentixol
About
Flupentixol belongs to a group of medicine antipsychotic from the class thioxanthene. It is used to treat schizophrenia and other mental disorder that affects the way you feel, think or behave. Schizophrenia is a mental condition in which the person may feel, hear, or see things that are not there, believe things that are not true, feel unusually suspicious or confused.
Flupentixol contains 'Flupentixol' that works by blocking the effects of chemical messengers in the brain (i.e., dopamine), thereby helps in improving mood, behavior, and thoughts. Flupentixol elevates the symptoms of the disease and prevents them from coming back.
Take Flupentixol as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Flupentixol for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you depending on your medical conditions. You may experience sleepiness, dryness in the mouth, orthostatic hypotension (sudden lowering of blood pressure on standing), weight gain, abnormality of voluntary movements (expression of thought through action), urinary retention (completely emptying the bladder), Increased prolactin level in the blood, muscle stiffness, constipation, and tremor. Most of these side effects of Flupentixol do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
To treat your condition effectually, continue taking Flupentixol for as long as your doctor has prescribed. Before starting Flupentixol, please inform your doctor if you have heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid, or prostate problems. Talk to your doctor if you have breathing difficulties, diabetes, epilepsy, glaucoma (increase pressure of eye that causes vision loss), myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), Parkinson's disease (a brain disorder that affects movements). Inform your doctor if you ever had a blood disorder or jaundice. Immediately contact your doctor if you are pregnant and breastfeeding.
Uses of Flupentixol
Medicinal Benefits
Flupentixol belongs to a group of medicine antipsychotic from the class thioxanthene. It is used to treat schizophrenia. It is also used to treat other mental disorder that affects the way you feel, think, or behave. Flupentixol works by changing the balance of chemicals in the brain (i.e., dopamine), thereby helps in improving mood, behavior, and thoughts. Flupentixol elevates the symptoms of the disease and prevents them from coming back. Some brands of Flupentixol used for people with depression. Flupentixol improves the symptoms like poor concentration, low mood, and poor sleep.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Flupentixol
- Sleepiness
- Dryness in mouth
- Orthostatic hypotension (sudden lowering of blood pressure on standing)
- Weight gain
- Abnormality of voluntary movements (expression of thought through action)
- Urinary retention (completely emptying the bladder)
- The increased prolactin level in the blood
- Muscle stiffness
- Constipation
- Tremor
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not take Flupentixol if you are allergic to Flupentixol or any of its contents. Flupentixol causes drowsiness and dizziness, do not drive unless you are alert. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Flupentixol as it could lead to increased drowsiness and dizziness. Rise slowly from sitting or lying position as Flupentixol causes orthostatic hypotension (sudden lowering in blood pressure leading to dizziness on standing). Inform your doctor before taking Flupentixol if you have diabetes as Flupentixol can cause an increase in blood sugar levels. Talk to your doctor if you have breathing difficulties, epilepsy, glaucoma (increased pressure of the eye that causes vision loss), myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), Parkinson's disease (a brain disorder that affects movements). Inform your doctor if you ever had blood disorder or jaundice. Please inform your doctor before taking Flupentixol if you have heart disease, kidney disease, liver disease, thyroid, or prostate problems. Immediately contact your doctor if you are pregnant and breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Flupentixol may have interaction with medicines used for irregular heartbeat (quinidine, amiodarone, sotalol, dofetilide), some antipsychotic medicines (thioridazine, lithium), antibiotics (erythromycin, moxifloxacin), and medicines for stomach acid (cisapride).
Drug-Food Interactions: Flupentixol may have interaction with alcohol.
Drug-Disease Interactions: No interactions found.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while taking Flupentixol as it may cause increased drowsiness and lower your blood pressure.
Pregnancy
unsafeAvoid using Flupentixol during pregnancy because the safety of Flupentixol has not established. Please consult your doctor before taking Flupentixol.
Breast Feeding
unsafeFlupentixol can pass into the breastmilk, so it is not safe to breastfeed while taking Flupentixol. Consult your doctor before taking Flupentixol.
Driving
unsafeFlupentixol causes drowsiness and sleepiness. Do not drive or operate machinery without consulting your doctor.
Liver
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Kidney
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with kidney impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have kidney impairment or any concerns regarding this.
Children
unsafeFlupentixol is not recommended for children.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
- Regularly attend therapy sessions.
- Perform meditation and yoga.
- Follow a regular sleep pattern.
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption.
- Learn about your condition, understand the risk factors, and follow the doctor’s treatment plan.
Special Advise
While taking Flupentixol you may become more sensitive to extreme temperature conditions (like too hot or too cold temperature), so it is advisable to avoid getting too cold or too hot or becoming dehydrated especially during summer. Drink plenty of fluid and water to cope with this condition.
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, feel unusually suspicious or confusing. Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, movement disorders, disorganized thinking, loss of interest, lack of emotions, etc. Although schizophrenia is not as common as other major mental diseases, it can be the most chronic and deactivating.
Depression: It is a common mental disorder and characterized by constant sadness and a lack of interest or joy in previously rewarding or enjoyable activities. It can also disturb sleep and appetite and poor concentration and tiredness are common.
FAQs
Flupentixol works by balancing the chemical messengers called neurotransmitter and blocking the effect of dopamine located in the brain, thereby helps in improving mood, behaviour, and thoughts.
Flupentixol may cause affect the blood glucose (sugar) levels. So, regular monitoring of blood sugar levels is advised while taking Flupentixol. Diabetes patients should consult a doctor before taking Flupentixol.
Dry mouth could be a side-effect of Flupentixol. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drinking water regularly, and chewing sugar-free gum/candy might help in stimulating saliva and thereby prevents drying of the mouth.
Yes, orthostatic hypotension could be a side-effect of Flupentixol. Orthostatic hypotension is a sudden lowering in blood pressure leading to dizziness on standing. If you experience this, do not try to stand up suddenly or start walking, instead lie down and get up slowly only when you feel better. People taking Flupentixol are advised to regularly monitor their blood pressure levels to avoid such unpleasant events.
