Fluphenazine is an antipsychotic drug called phenothiazine that is used to treat psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia.
Phenothiazine is being used to treat psychosis. Generally, its properties and uses are close to those of chlorpromazine.
Fluphenazine Uses
This drug is a long-acting form of fluphenazine used to treat many mental/mood issues.
Fluphenazine decanoate is widely used in patients who have undergone short-acting fluphenazine formulations at regular doses and who may benefit from less frequent, long-term treatment.
Fluphenazine belongs to a class of drugs known as phenothiazines, which are also known as neuroleptics. It works by affecting the brain’s balance of natural chemicals (neurotransmitters).
Some of the advantages of these medications include decreased hallucinations, delusions, or bizarre behaviour episodes that arise in schizophrenia patients.
Fluphenazine Side Effects
Some of the common side effects of fluphenazine are:
Upset stomach
Weakness or tiredness
Insomnia
Nightmares
Dry mouth
More sensitive skins
Changes in appetite
Some of the serious side effects of fluphenazine are:
Constipation
Difficulty in urinating
Blurred vision
Dizziness
Severe skin rash
Irregular heartbeat
Yellowing of the skin and eyes
If you have any of these serious symptoms immediately contact your doctor for further assistance. In any case, due to fluphenazine if you get any kind of reactions in your body try avoiding it.
A doctor advised you to take the medicines by seeing your problems and the benefits of this medicine are greater than the side effects. Majority of the people who use this medicine don’t show any side effects. Get medical help immediately if you get any serious fluphenazine side effects.
Precautions
Before using fluphenazine talk with your doctor if you are allergic to it or any other medications. The product may contain some inactive ingredients which can cause some serious allergic reactions or some other serious problems.
Before using the fluphenazine talk with your doctor if you are having any medical history such as:
Brain damage
Nervous system problems
Blood problems
Liver problems
Eye problems
Heart problems
Kidney problems
Low blood calcium
How to take fluphenazine?
This drug is administered by injection by a nurse or Doctor into a muscle (intramuscularly-IM) or underneath the skin (subcutaneously-subQ).
Usually, this drug is injected every 4-6 weeks or as instructed by your Doctor. Usually, this drug is light yellow.
Do not use the liquid if it becomes darker than light yellow, discoloured in any way, or if particles appear in it.
Dosage Forms and Strengths
Fluphenazine 5mg tablet
Fluphenazine Hydrochloride– 2.5 mg
Fluphenazine Decanoate-25 mg/1mL
Missed Dose
Missing one or two doses of fluphenazine will not affect your body. The skipped dose will cause no problem.
However, with some medications, the dosage won’t work if you don’t take it on time.
If you miss a dose, some sudden chemical change may affect your body. In some cases, your Doctor advises you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.
Overdose
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed fluphenazine tablets, there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.
Interactions
The doctors may already be aware of and monitor you for any potential medication reactions. Before consulting with them, do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any drug.
Before taking this drug, tell your doctor or pharmacist about any pharmaceutical and nonprescription/herbal drugs you might need, including anticholinergics (e.g., atropine), dopamine agonists (e.g., cabergoline, levodopa, pergolide), guanadrel, guanethidine, and lithium.
Storage
Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. Exposure to medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach.
Mainly, the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Before taking fluphenazine, consult your Doctor. If you face any problems or get any side effects after taking fluphenazine, rush immediately to your nearest hospital or consult your Doctor for better treatment.
Always carry your medications in your bag while travelling to avoid any immediate emergencies. Follow your prescription and follow your Doctor’s advice whenever you take fluphenazine.
Fluphenazine vs Nortriptyline
Fluphenazine
Nortriptyline
Fluphenazine is an antipsychotic drug called phenothiazine that is used to treat psychiatric conditions such as schizophrenia.
Nortriptyline is a tricyclic antidepressant. The medication affects the chemicals in the brain which can be unbalanced in people with depression.
Fluphenazine belongs to a class of drugs known as phenothiazines, which are also known as neuroleptics. It works by affecting the brain’s balance of natural chemicals (neurotransmitters).
Nortriptyline belongs to the class of drugs called tricyclic antidepressants. The medication works by affecting the balance of certain natural chemicals in the brain.
Some of the common side effects of fluphenazine are:
Upset stomach
Weakness or tiredness
Insomnia
Nightmares
Dry mouth
Some of the common side effects of Nortriptyline are:
