$Unique_ID{BRK02153}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{THIORIDAZINE}
$Subject{Mellaril (Sandoz)
Millazine (Major)
thioridazine hydrochloride (various manufacturers)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


THIORIDAZINE
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Mellaril (Sandoz)
     Millazine (Major)
     thioridazine hydrochloride (various manufacturers)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Phenothiazine tranquilizer
INGREDIENT:
     thioridazine
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (10 mg, 15 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, 150 mg, and 200 mg)
     Oral concentrate (30 mg and 100 mg per ml, with 3% and 4.2% alcohol,
       respectively)
     Oral suspension (25 mg and 100 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
STORAGE:
     The tablet form of this medication should be stored at room temperature
       in a tightly closed, light-resistant container.  The oral concentrate
       and oral suspension forms of this medication should be stored in the
       refrigerator in tightly closed, light-resistant containers.  If the
       oral concentrate or suspension turns slightly yellowish, the medication
       is still effective and can be used.  However, if it changes color
       markedly or has particles floating in it, it should not be used;
       rather, it should be discarded down the sink.  This medication should
       never be frozen.

USES

     Thioridazine is prescribed to treat the symptoms of certain types of
mental illness, such as emotional symptoms of psychosis, the manic phase of
manic-depressive illness, and severe behavioral problems in children.  It may
also be used for moderate to marked depression or sleep disturbances in
adults.  This medication is thought to relieve the symptoms of mental illness
by blocking certain chemicals involved with nerve transmission in the brain.
Thioridazine may also be used to treat anxiety.

TREATMENT

     In order to avoid stomach irritation, you can take this medication with a
meal or with a glass of water or milk (unless your doctor directs you to do
otherwise).
     Antacids and antidiarrheal medicines may decrease the absorption of this
medication from the gastrointestinal tract.  Therefore, at least one hour
should separate doses of one of these medicines and thioridazine.
     The oral suspension form of this medication should be shaken well just
before measuring each dose.  The contents tend to settle on the bottom of the
bottle, so it is necessary to shake the container to distribute the
ingredients evenly and equalize the doses.  Each dose should then be measured
carefully with a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon.  An ordinary kitchen
teaspoon is not accurate enough.
     The oral concentrate form of this medication should be measured carefully
with the dropper provided, then added to four ounces ( cup) or more of water,
milk, or a carbonated beverage or to applesauce or pudding immediately prior
to administration.  To prevent possible loss of effectiveness, the medication
should not be diluted in tea, coffee, or apple juice.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
possible, unless it is almost time for your next dose.  In that case, do not
take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule.  Do
not double the next dose (unless your doctor directs you to do so).
     The full effects of this medication for the control of emotional or
mental symptoms may not become apparent for at least two weeks after you start
to take it.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Blurred vision, constipation, decreased sweating, diarrhea, dizziness,
drooling, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, jitteriness, menstrual
irregularities, nasal congestion, restlessness, vomiting, and weight gain.  As
your body adjusts to the medication, these side effects should disappear.
     This medication can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight.  It is,
therefore, important to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps.
Wear protective clothing and sunglasses, and use an effective sunscreen.
     Thioridazine can also cause discoloration of the urine to red, pink, or
red-brown.  This is a harmless effect.
     If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy to
reduce mouth dryness.
     To avoid dizziness or light-headedness when you stand, contract and relax
the muscles of your legs for a few moments before rising.  Do this by pushing
one foot against the floor while raising the other foot slightly, alternating
feet so that you are "pumping" your legs in a pedaling motion.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
breast enlargement (in both sexes); chest pain; convulsions; darkened skin;
difficulty in swallowing or breathing; fainting; fever; impotence; involuntary
movements of the face, mouth, jaw, or tongue; palpitations; rash; sleep
disorders; sore throat; tremors; uncoordinated movements; unusual bleeding or
bruising; visual disturbances; or yellowing of the eyes or skin.

INTERACTIONS

     Thioridazine interacts with several other types of medications:
     1. It can cause extreme drowsiness when combined with alcohol or other
central nervous system depressants (drugs that slow the activity of the brain
and spinal cord), such as barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle
relaxants, narcotics, and pain medications, or with tricyclic antidepressants.
     2. Thioridazine can decrease the effectiveness of amphetamines,
guanethidine, anticonvulsants, and levodopa.
     3. The side effects of epinephrine, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors,
metoprolol, propranolol, phenytoin, and tricyclic antidepressants may be
increased by this medication.  At least 14 days should separate the use of
this drug and the use of an MAO inhibitor.
     4. Lithium may increase the side effects and decrease the effectiveness
of this medication.
     5. False positive pregnancy tests may occur.  If you think you may be
pregnant, call your doctor.
     Before starting to take thioridazine, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed
above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to thioridazine or any other phenothiazine
tranquilizers (such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, mesoridazine,
perphenazine, prochlorperazine, promazine, trifluoperazine, and
triflupromazine) or to loxapine.
     * Tell your doctor if you have a history of alcoholism or if you now have
or have ever had any blood disease, bone marrow disease, brain disease, breast
cancer, blockage in the urinary or digestive tracts, drug-induced depression,
epilepsy, high or low blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, heart or
circulatory disease, liver disease, lung disease, Parkinson's disease, peptic
ulcers, or an enlarged prostate gland.
     * Tell your doctor about any recent exposure to a pesticide or an
insecticide.  Thioridazine may increase the side effects from the exposure.
     * To prevent oversedation, avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while
taking this medication.
     * If this medication makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
potentially dangerous machinery.  Be careful on stairs, and avoid getting up
suddenly from a lying or sitting position.
     * Prior to having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be
sure to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking thioridazine.
     * Some of the side effects caused by this drug can be prevented by taking
an antiparkinsonism drug.  Discuss this with your doctor.
     * This medication can decrease sweating and heat release from the body.
You should, therefore, try not to become overheated (avoid exercising
strenuously in hot weather, and do not take hot baths, showers, and saunas).
     * Do not stop taking this medication suddenly.  If the drug is stopped
abruptly, you may experience nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, headache,
increased heart rate, insomnia, tremors, or a worsening of your condition.
Your doctor may want to reduce the dosage gradually.
     * If you are planning to have a myelogram, or any other procedure in
which dye will be injected into your spinal cord, tell your doctor that you
are taking this medication.
     * Avoid spilling the oral concentrate or suspension form of this
medication on your skin or clothing; either may cause redness and irritation
of the skin.
     * While taking this medication, do not take any over-the-counter
(nonprescription) drugs for weight control or for cough, cold, allergy,
asthma, or sinus problems unless you first check with your doctor.  Concurrent
use of any of these drugs and thioridazine may cause high blood pressure.
     * Your doctor may schedule regular office visits for your first few
months of therapy with this medication in order to monitor your progress and
possibly adjust your dosage.
     * Your doctor may want to schedule you for an eye examination if you take
thioridazine for longer than a year.  Prolonged use of this drug can cause
visual disturbances.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Small amounts of this
medication cross the placenta.  Although there are reports of safe use of this
drug during pregnancy, there are also reports of liver disease and tremors in
newborn infants whose mothers received this type of medication close to term.
Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding.  Small amounts of this
medication pass into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in nursing
infants.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
