Fluphenazine

Generic name: Fluphenazine (oral/injection)
Drug class: Phenothiazine antipsychotics

Usage of Fluphenazine

Fluphenazine is a phenothiazine (FEEN-oh-THYE-a-zeen) antipsychotic medicine that is used to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.

Fluphenazine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Fluphenazine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).

High doses or long-term use of fluphenazine can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. The longer you use fluphenazine, the more likely you are to develop this disorder, especially if you are an older adult.

Fluphenazine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement);

extreme drowsiness or light-headed feeling (like you might pass out);

strange dreams, or if you feel restless or excited;

blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;

painful or difficult urination;

severe constipation, stomach pain, bloating;

jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

a seizure; or

low white blood cell counts--fever, chills, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing, feeling light-headed.

Common side effects of fluphenazine may include:

drowsiness, headache, blurred vision;

problems with balance or muscle movement;

nausea, loss of appetite, constipation;

swelling, weight changes;

stuffy nose, dry mouth, or drooling;

increased sweating or urination;

breast swelling or tenderness; or

impotence, trouble having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Fluphenazine

You should not use fluphenazine if you are allergic to fluphenazine or other phenothiazines (chlorpromazine, perphenazine, prochlorperazine, promethazine, thioridazine, trifluoperazine), or if you have:

liver disease;

brain damage;

severe depression; or

a blood cell disorder (such as low platelets or low red or white blood cell counts).

Do not use fluphenazine if you have recently used large amounts of alcohol or medicine that makes you sleepy.

Fluphenazine may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis and is not approved for this use.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

heart problems;

liver or kidney disease;

low white blood cell (WBC) counts;

breast cancer;

glaucoma;

Parkinson's disease;

seizures; or

pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland).

Tell your doctor if you will be exposed to extreme heat or cold, or to insecticide poisons while you are using fluphenazine.

Fluphenazine is not approved for use by anyone younger than 12 years old.

Using antipsychotic medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause breathing problems, feeding problems, or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. If you get pregnant, tell your doctor right away. Do not stop using fluphenazine without your doctor's advice.

Fluphenazine may cause false results on a pregnancy test. Tell your doctor if you think you might be pregnant.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. Ask your doctor about any risk.

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How to use Fluphenazine

Usual Adult Dose for Psychosis:

Oral:-Initial dose: 2.5 to 10 mg orally in divided doses every 6 to 8 hours-Maintenance dose: 1 to 5 mg/day-Maximum dose: Up to 40 mg/dayOral Comments:-Maintenance doses may be given as single daily doses.-Many patients achieve therapeutic effect with doses of less than 20 mg. Patients who are severely disturbed or inadequately controlled may require a dose of up to 40 mg/day.Parenteral:Fluphenazine Decanoate for Injection:-Initial dose: 12.5 to 25 mg deep IM injection into the gluteal region-Maintenance dose: 12.5 to 100 mg IM, usually every 3 to 4 weeks-Maximum dose: 100 mg/injectionFluphenazine HCl for Injection:-Initial dose: 2.5 to 10 mg IM, given as divided doses every 6 to 8 hours-Maximum dose: Up to 10 mg/dayParenteral Comments:-Patients may switch from Fluphenazine HCl for Injection to oral formulations when symptoms are controlled. The dose of an oral formulation is approximately 2 to 3 times the dose of fluphenazine HCl for injection.-Fluphenazine decanoate for injection may be given subcutaneously. Uses:-Management of manifestations of schizophrenia-Management of patients requiring prolonged parenteral neuroleptic therapy (e.g., patients with chronic schizophrenia)

Usual Geriatric Dose for Psychosis:

Oral:-Initial dose: 1 to 2.5 mg orally, given in divided doses every 6 to 8 hours-Maintenance dose: 1 to 5 mg/day-Maximum dose: Up to 40 mgComments:-Maintenance doses may be given as a single dose.-Many patients achieve therapeutic effect with doses less than 20 mg. Patients who are severely disturbed or inadequately controlled may require a dose of up to 40 mg/day.Use: Management of manifestations of schizophrenia

Warnings

You should not use fluphenazine if you have liver disease, brain damage, severe depression, a blood cell disorder, or if you are also using large amounts of alcohol or medicines that make you sleepy.

Fluphenazine is not approved for use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.

Call your doctor at once if you have uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs. These could be early signs of dangerous side effects.

What other drugs will affect Fluphenazine

Using fluphenazine with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Other drugs may affect fluphenazine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

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