Flupentixol's main use is as a long-acting injection given once in every two or three weeks to individuals with schizophrenia who have poor compliance with medication and suffer frequent relapses of illness, though it is also commonly given as a tablet.
Thioxanthine; Antipsychotic
Flupentixol, a neuroleptic with anxiolytic and antidepressant properties of its own when given in small doses. The biological half-life of Flupentixol is about 35 hours and that of Melitracen is about 19 hours.
ORAL Psychoses: Adult: InitIally, 3-9 mg bid, adjusted according to response. Max: 18 mg daily. Elderly: Initial dose: 1/4 or 1/2 of the usual Initial dose. Depression wI or w/o anxiety: Adult: Initially, 1 mg daily increased after 1 wk to 2 mg daily & then to a max of 3 mg daily, last dose should be given not later than 4 p.m. Doses >2 mg should be given in 2 divIded doses. Discontinue treatment if there is no improvement w/in 1 wk of using the max dose. Elderly: Initially, 0.5 mg daily increased after 1 wk to 1 mg daily w/ the last dose given not later than 4 p.m. Max: 2 mg daily in 2 divided doses. INTRAMUSCULAR Psychoses: Adult: As decanoate: Initially, 20 mg (1 ml of a 2% oIly solution) Is given as test dose. After at least 7 days & depending on the response, subsequent doses of 20-40 mg may be given at intervals of 2-4 wk. Usual maintenance dose: 50 mg every 4 wk to 300 mg every 2 wk. Up to 400 mg wkly may be used in severe or resistant cases. Elderly: Initial dose:1/4 or 1 /2of the usual initial dose.
May enhance the response to alcohol, barbiturates and other CNS depressants. Simultaneous administration of MAO-inhibitors may cause hypertensive crises. Neuroleptics and thymoleptics reduce the antihypertensive effect of guanethidine and similar acting compounds and thymoleptics enhance the effects of adrenaline and noradrenaline.
Hypersensitivity. Extremely excitable & overactive patients; mania; porphyria; coma: preexisting CNS depression; bone- marrow supression; phaeochromocytoma. Lactation. Patients w/ convulsive disorders; advanced hepatic, renal, CV or resp disease; tasks requiring mental alertness; elderly (especially w/ dementia). & debilitated patients; neuroleptics w/ sedative effect must be withdrawn gradually; history of angle-closure glaucoma; urinary retention; prostatic hyperplasia; breast cancer, prolactin dependent tumours; parkinsonism; myasthenia gravis; pregnancy; Avoid direct sunlight.
Rigidity, tremors, restlessness, tardive dyskinesia, insomnia, dryness of mouth, wt gain, sexual dysfunction, galactorrhoea & menstrual disturbances. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (hyperthermia, hypertonicity of skeletal muscles, unconsciousness & autonomic nervous system instability).
Neonates exposed to antipsychotic drugs ( flupenthixol) during the third trimester of pregnancy are at risk of experiencing extrapyramidal neurological disturbances and/or withdrawal symptoms following delivery. preferably not be given during lactation.
More rarely extrapyramidal symptoms due to Flupentixol occur.
Keep below 30°C temperature, away from light & moisture. Keep out of the reach of children.
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