Fluphenazine Decanoate

Fluphenazine Decanoate is a prescription medicine used in the treatment of schizophrenia. It may also be used to treat depression and bipolar disorder. It alters the thoughts and elevates the mood, improving the person's ability to think, feel and behave.

Fluphenazine Decanoate is a typical antipsychotic. It works by blocking the action of dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain that affects thoughts and mood.

• Schizophrenia: Used for long-term management of psychotic disorders including schizophrenia, mania, and organic brain syndrome.

Phenothiazine drugs

Typical Antipsychotic (Phenothiazine Derivative)

Fluphenazine blocks postsynaptic dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the mesolimbic system and decreases the release of hypothalamic and hypophyseal hormones. It produces calmness and reduces aggressiveness with disappearance of hallucinations and delusions. Fluphenazine Decanoate is a phenothiazine derivative. It is a highly potent antipsychotic agent with a markedly extended duration of action, available for intramuscular administration.

Fluphenazine blocks postsynaptic dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the mesolimbic system to inhibit dopamine-mediated effects.

Adult Dose (IM):

• Psychoses, Mania, Schizophrenia (Decanoate): Initial: 12.5 mg test dose, adjusted according to response; Maintenance: 12.5-100 mg at intervals of 2-6 weeks.
• Elderly: 6.25 mg test dose, adjusted according to response.

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine; do not self administer. Administered as deep IM injection into the gluteal muscle.

If you miss a dose of Fluphenazine Decanoate, please consult your doctor.

Common Side Effects:

• Abnormality of voluntary movements (tardive dyskinesia)
• Constipation
• Dry mouth
• Increased prolactin level in blood (galactorrhea, amenorrhea)
• Injection site reactions
• Muscle stiffness
• Orthostatic hypotension
• Sleepiness
• Tremor
• Urinary retention
• Weight gain

Precautions:

• Fluphenazine Decanoate may decrease alertness, affect vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy; do not drive if these symptoms occur.
• It makes you feel sleepy; do not drive or do anything requiring mental focus until you know how it affects you.
• Inform doctor if pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.
• Caution in convulsive disorders, hepatic, renal, cerebrovascular, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
• Caution in phaeochromocytoma, bone marrow suppression, elderly or debilitated patients.

Contraindications:

• Hypersensitivity
• Comatose or severely depressed states
• Blood dyscrasias
• Liver disease
• Pregnancy (3rd trimester)
• Lactation

Drug Interactions:

• Guanethidine, Methyldopa, Clonidine: Antihypertensive effects reduced.
• Lithium: Causes toxicity.
• Antacids: Reduced bioavailability.
• Drugs that prolong QT interval: Increased risk of arrhythmia.
• Potentially Fatal: Additive CNS depressant effects with alcohol, barbiturates, hypnotics, sedatives, opiates and antihistamines.

Food Interactions: Fluphenazine Decanoate may cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol.

Use in Pregnancy: May be unsafe; animal studies have shown harmful effects; doctor will weigh benefits and potential risks.

Use in Lactation: Probably unsafe; limited data suggests drug may pass into breastmilk and harm the baby; monitor baby for excessive sleepiness.

Pediatric Use: Not recommended for children.

Geriatric Use: Elderly dose: 6.25 mg test dose; use with caution.

Renal Impairment: Limited information available; use with caution.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; dose adjustment may be needed.

Overdose: Symptoms of overdose: Muscle weakness, irregular heart rhythm and breathing difficulty.

Storage: Store below 30 degree C in a cool and dry place, away from light. Keep out of reach of children.

Fluphenazine Decanoate