Iloperidone
About
Iloperidone belongs to a group of medicines called 'atypical antipsychotics,' primarily used to treat schizophrenia. 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.
Iloperidone contains 'Iloperidone,' belongs to class of piperidines. It works by restoring the balance of chemical messengers (dopamine and serotonin) in the brain and improves thinking mood, and behaviour. Iloperidone helps in clear thinking and decreases hallucinations.
Take Iloperidone as prescribed by your doctor. Your doctor will decide the dose and duration based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Common side effects of Iloperidone include dizziness, dry mouth, fatigue, irregular heartbeat, nasal congestion (stuffy nose), drowsiness, and weight gain. These side effects are not familiar to everyone and vary individually. If you notice any side effects that are not manageable, please consult your doctor.
Iloperidone is not recommended for treatment in patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis. If you are using any prescription and non-prescription medications, let your doctor know before starting Iloperidone. Inform your doctor beforehand if you have a history of liver or kidney diseases, heart problems, breathing problems, diabetes, high blood pressure, fits, and dehydration. If you are pregnant, planning to conceive or a breastfeeding mother, inform your doctor before starting Iloperidone. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Iloperidone as it can make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery while using Iloperidone since it can make you sleepy.
Uses of Iloperidone
Medicinal Benefits
Iloperidone is used to treat schizophrenia in adults. It contains 'Iloperidone,' that belongs to the class of atypical antipsychotics. Iloperidone works by restoring the balance of chemical messengers (dopamine and serotonin) in the brain. It is also known to improve thinking, mood, and behaviour. Iloperidone helps in clear thinking and relieves the psychotic symptoms like delusions and hallucinations.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Iloperidone
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Fatigue
- Irregular heartbeat
- Nasal congestion (stuffy nose)
- Drowsiness
- Weight gain
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Iloperidone is not recommended for treatment in patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis. Brief your medical history if you have any liver or kidney diseases, breathing problems (sleep apnoea), stroke, diabetes, dehydration, low blood pressure, breast cancer, dementia (Alzheimer's disease), low white blood cells, obesity, and swallowing problems before starting Iloperidone. Iloperidone may affect QT prolongation (heart muscle takes longer than usual to recharge between beats) that can cause serious fast/irregular heartbeat. Hence it is advised to inform your doctor if you have any heart-related problems like heart failure, slow heartbeat, QT prolongation in EKG or ECG (electrocardiogram) and a family history of heart diseases. Please consult your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to conceive or a breastfeeding mother before starting Iloperidone. Avoid consuming alcohol along with Iloperidone as it might lead to increased side effects like dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid driving or operating machinery as Iloperidone may decrease your mental alertness, making you feel dizzy or drowsy. Iloperidone is not recommended for people below 18 years of age as the safety and effectiveness have not been established.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Iloperidone 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), mood disorders drugs (aripiprazole, clomipramine, clozapine, ziprasidone), anti-depressants (nefazodone, lithium), anti-psychotics (paliperidone, haloperidol, lurasidone, thioridazine, risperidone), HIV/AIDS drugs (ritonavir), blood pressure medicines (prazosin), respiratory drugs (atropine), and stomach related drugs (dicyclomine, scopolamine).
Drug-Food Interaction: Do not consume alcohol while taking Iloperidone as it could lead to increased dizziness and drowsiness.
Drug-Disease Interaction: Before using Iloperidone, let your doctor know if you have any liver or kidney diseases, breathing problems (sleep apnoea), stroke, diabetes, dehydration, low blood pressure, breast cancer, dementia (Alzheimer’s disease), low white blood cells, obesity, swallowing problems, and heart problems.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeIt is advised to avoid alcohol consumption while taking Iloperidone. Alcohol intake, along with Iloperidone, may cause increased dizziness and drowsiness. Please consult your doctor for more information.
Pregnancy
unsafeIloperidone is not recommended for use during pregnancy since it has harmful effects on the developing baby. Please consult your doctor before taking Iloperidone if you are pregnant or planning to conceive.
Breast Feeding
unsafeIloperidone is not recommended for use during breastfeeding. Iloperidone is excreted into the breast milk and may harm the breastfed infant. Please consult your doctor before taking Iloperidone if you are a nursing mother.
Driving
unsafeIloperidone 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
cautionDose adjustment may be needed in patients with liver impairment. Please consult your doctor if you have a liver impairment or any concerns.
Kidney
cautionPlease consult your doctor before using Iloperidone if you suffer from any severe kidney impairment/disease.
Children
unsafeIloperidone is not recommended in people below 18 years of age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Maintain proper weight by following a healthy diet.
- Exercise regularly as it helps in less 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 anti-oxidants.
- Eat nutritious food as it helps in cognitive stimulation.
- Limit foods with high cholesterol and saturated fats.
- Cut down on sugar, salt and processed foods to prevent weight gain due to Iloperidone.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Follow a healthy lifestyle as it helps in improving overall health and possibly protects the brain.
Special Advise
- Let your doctor know that you are taking Iloperidone if you are undergoing any medical tests.
- It is advised to monitor your blood pressure and blood sugar levels regularly while using Iloperidone.
- If you have stopped taking Iloperidone for more than three days in a row, please inform your doctor so that you may be needed to restart the medicine at a lower dose.
- Regular monitoring of heart function with ECG or EKG is necessary.
- Regular examinations of your electrolytes are also recommended.
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 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
Iloperidone works by balancing the chemical messengers like dopamine and serotonin located in the brain, thereby improving mood, behaviour and thoughts.
Iloperidone should be used with caution in the medical history of liver or kidney diseases, heart problems (history of heart attack, chest pain, abnormal heartbeat), breathing problems (sleep apnoea), stroke, diabetes, dehydration, low blood pressure, breast cancer, dementia (Alzheimer's disease), low white blood cells, obesity, and swallowing problems. Please let your doctor know if you have any other medical problems before starting Iloperidone.
Dry mouth could be a side-effect of Iloperidone. Limiting caffeine intake, avoiding smoking and mouthwashes containing alcohol, drinking water regularly, and chewing sugar-free gum/candy might stimulate saliva and prevent drying of the mouth.
Iloperidone may make you sweat less and can likely cause heart stroke. Hence, it is advised to limit activities that cause overheat like an exercise in hot weather or using hot tubs. Drink plenty of fluids and dress lightly.
Iloperidone may cause dizziness. It is advised to avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position that can make you feel dizzy.
Iloperidone can cause a side effect called orthostatic hypotension (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 Iloperidone are advised to regularly monitor their blood pressure levels to avoid such unpleasant events.
