Flupenthixol
Risk Factor: C
Class: CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM DRUGS
/ Tranquilizers
Contents of this page:
Fetal Risk Summary
Breast Feeding Summary
References
Questions and Answers
Fetal Risk Summary
Flupenthixol crosses the placenta with cord blood levels averaging 24% of maternal serum levels (1). Amniotic fluid concentrations are similar to those in cord blood. Flupenthixol 1 mg daily was used throughout the 2nd and 3rd trimesters in one patient with borderline psychotic depression (2). None of the infants in the above studies was apparently affected by the exposure to flupenthixol.
Breast Feeding Summary
Flupenthixol is excreted into breast milk (1,2). In one study, concentrations were about 30% higher than those in maternal serum (1). In a second study, a mother received flupenthixol 1 mg daily throughout the 2nd and 3rd trimesters (2). The dose was increased to 4 mg daily on the 1st postpartum day, then tapered to 2 mg daily over the next 7 weeks. The mother was also receiving nortriptyline. While receiving the 4-mg daily dose, milk concentrations, measured 24.5 hours after a dose on postpartum days 6 (four samples) and 20 (two samples), ranged from 2.06.8 ng/mL, with a mean of 3.2 ng/mL. The milk:serum ratios for these samples ranged from 0.501.62, with a mean of 0.85. No effects of the drug exposure were observed in the nursing infant, who had normal motor development for the first 4 months (2). The significance of chronic exposure of the nursing infant to this drug is unknown, but concern has been expressed about the effects of long-term exposure on the infant's neurobehavioral mechanisms (2).
References
- Kirk L, Jorgensen A. Concentrations of cis(z)-flupenthixol in maternal serum, amniotic fluid, umbilical cord serum, and milk. Psychopharmacology (Berlin) 1980;72:1078.
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Matheson I, Skjaeraasen J. Milk concentrations of flupenthixol, nortriptyline and zuclopenthixol and between-breast differences in two patients. Eur J Clin Pharmacol 1988;35:21720.
Questions and Answers
what is the duration of treatment of catatonic schizophrenia with flupenthixol injection?, a patient started on the above injection has shown remarkable improvement after the fiest dose. Will he require lifelong medication? when can a switch to oral flupenthixol be made? Is olanzapine required to be added?
yes, the patient will require the lifelong medication or until the doctors have found that it is stabilized or if the patient or parents of the patient want him/her to stay on it so any future reactions on occur. While it is stabilized, the patient need to go thru counseling. For the other parts, I could not find, but you can read up on the website I posted too.
why Flupenthixol (fluanxol) is not available in USA ?, i use fluanxol and know that its not available in usa. i wonder why is that ?. is it becouse its harmfull for some reason or is it just a marketing strategy ?
Because to be on the U.S. market the FDA can take up to 15-20 years to approve the drug, and it costs the maker billions in research....The UK is less stringent and most of our meds premiered overseas first.
flupenthixol & melixol....uses?, hi, my dad had surgery for polyps in bangladesh. he was given flupenthixol. i asked a pharmacists and looked on the net, people say it is used sor scizophrenia and psychosis etc. does any1 know whether it is used for stomach problems...or other similar problems related to polyps?? im jus wondering whether the doctore back home gave it for no reason.my dad seems calmer than b4 but that cud mean nothing
only serious answers please....
It is a great drug for polyps. In the US they have other drugs that do the same thing. Some aren't available in Bangladesh. No worries your dad will be fine.
Flupenthixol tablet 0.5mg?, 1) What is the side effect
2) withdraw effect
Any one can help me in this, any webside have fully information about this??
Thanks for help
Fluanxol - generic Flupenthixol - an antipsychotic that may be prescribed to alleviate psychotic features such as paranoia and hallucinations associated with bipolar disorder.
Common Side Effects:
Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Constipation; decreased sweating; dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; drowsiness (mild); dryness of mouth; increased appetite and weight; increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight (skin rash, itching, redness or other discoloration of skin, or severe sunburn); stuffy nose
Less Common Side Effects:
Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
Changes in menstrual period; decreased sexual ability; swelling of breasts (in males and females); unusual secretion of milk
SPECIAL WARNING: Along with their needed effects, thioxanthenes can sometimes cause serious side effects.
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Tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder) may occur and may not go away after you stop using the medicine. Signs of tardive dyskinesia include fine, worm-like movements of the tongue, or other uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, or arms and legs. Other serious but rare side effects may also occur. Some of these side effects, including severe muscle stiffness, fever, unusual tiredness or weakness, fast heartbeat, difficult breathing, increased sweating, loss of bladder control, and seizures, may be the sign of a condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome. You and your doctor should discuss the good this medicine will do as well as the risks of taking it.
Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Stop taking this medicine and get emergency help immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Rare:
Convulsions (seizures); difficulty in breathing; fast heartbeat; high fever; high or low (irregular) blood pressure; increased sweating; loss of bladder control; muscle stiffness (severe); unusually pale skin; unusual tiredness
Notify Doctor As Soon As Possible:
More Common: Difficulty in talking or swallowing; inability to move eyes; lip smacking or puckering; loss of balance control; mask-like face; muscle spasms, especially of the neck and back; puffing of cheeks; rapid or worm-like movements of tongue; restlessness or need to keep moving (severe); shuffling walk; stiffness of arms and legs; trembling and shaking of fingers and hands; twisting movements of body; uncontrolled chewing movements; uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs
Less Common: Blurred vision or other eye problems; difficult urination; fainting; skin discoloration; skin rash
Rare: Hot, dry skin or lack of sweating; increased blinking or spasms of eyelid; muscle weakness; sore throat and fever; uncontrolled twisting movements of neck, trunk, arms, or legs; unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual facial expressions or body positions; yellow eyes or skin
Withdrawal Side Effects - Notify Doctor:
Dizziness; nausea and vomiting; stomach pain; trembling of fingers and hands; uncontrolled, continuing movements of mouth, tongue, or jaw
Overdose Effects - Notify Doctor:
Difficulty in breathing (severe); dizziness (severe); drowsiness (severe); muscle trembling, jerking, stiffness, or uncontrolled movements (severe); small pupils; unusual excitement; unusual tiredness or weakness (severe)
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
