Fluphenazine

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

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.

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.

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

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

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.

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.