Generic
Trifluoperazine
6 brands available in the market
At a glance
Trifluoperazine is a prescription medicine used in the treatment of schizophrenia. It alters thoughts and elevates mood, improving the person's ability to think, feel and behave.
Description
Trifluoperazine is a typical antipsychotic. It works by blocking the action of dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain that affects thoughts and mood.
Indications
- Anxiety disorder
- Schizophrenia
- Psychotic disorders
- Nausea and vomiting
Therapeutic class
Phenothiazine drugs
Pharmacological class
Typical Antipsychotic
Pharmacology
Trifluoperazine is one of the phenothiazine class of compounds. Its most notable action is antagonism at dopamine receptors in the CNS. This action in the limbic system and associated areas of cerebral cortex is the basis of its antipsychotic action, whilst in the medullary chemoreceptor trigger zone it appears to be responsible for the antiemetic effect.
Mechanism of action
Blocks dopamine D2 receptors in the brain, producing antipsychotic and antiemetic effects.
Dosage
Adult Dose (Oral):
- Psychoses/Schizophrenia: Outpatient 1-2 mg every 12 hours; Inpatient initial 2-5 mg every 12 hours; maintenance 15-20 mg/day; not to exceed 40 mg/day
- Anxiety: 1-2 mg twice daily; max 6 mg daily; max duration 12 weeks
Child Dose: 6-12 years: 1 mg once or twice daily; not to exceed 15 mg/day; >12 years: 2-5 mg every 12 hours
Administration
- Take with food
- Swallow whole; do not chew, crush or break
- Take at the same time each day
Missed dose
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember; if almost time for next dose, skip it; do not double the dose.
Side effects
Common Side Effects:
- Orthostatic hypotension
- Sleepiness
- Dry mouth
- Abnormality of voluntary movements
- Weight gain
- Increased prolactin level in blood
- Urinary retention
- Constipation
- Muscle stiffness
- Tremor
Precautions & warnings
- May affect ability to drive
- May cause dizziness, drowsiness or blurred vision
- Rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down
- Avoid alcohol
- Inform doctor if abnormal movements of face, lips, jaw and tongue occur
- May increase blood sugar and cholesterol; monitor regularly
- Do not stop suddenly
Contraindications
- Preexisting CNS depression and coma
- Bone marrow depression, blood dyscrasias
- Liver disease
- Hypersensitivity to phenothiazines
- Prolactin dependent tumours
- Pregnancy (1st trimester)
- Lactation
Drug interactions
- CNS depressants (opiates, barbiturates, sedatives, general anaesthetics, alcohol): increased CNS depression
- Antimuscarinic drugs (TCA, antiparkinsonian drugs): increased risk of side effects
- Levodopa: antagonised effects
- Antihypertensives, trazodone: increased risk of hypotension
- Guanethidine: reverses antihypertensive effect
- Lithium: increased risk of severe extrapyramidal side-effects or severe neurotoxicity
- Antacids: possible decrease in absorption
Food interactions
May cause excessive drowsiness with alcohol.
Use in pregnancy
Use in Pregnancy: May be unsafe; animal studies show harmful effects; consult your doctor.
Pregnancy Category: C — always consult a doctor before taking during pregnancy.
Use in lactation
Use in Lactation: Probably unsafe; may pass into breast milk and harm the baby; consult your doctor.
Pediatric use
Safety and efficacy not established in children under 6 years
Geriatric use
Reduce initial dose by at least half; increase gradually
Renal / hepatic impairment
Renal Impairment: Limited information; consult your doctor
Hepatic Impairment: Limited information; not considered safe in liver disease
Overdose effects
Symptoms: Extrapyramidal symptoms, hypotension.
Treatment: Gastric lavage, supportive; anticholinergic/antiparkinsonism drug; fluid replacement.
Storage conditions
Store at room temperature between 15-30°C away from light and moisture.