$Unique_ID{BRK02019}
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$Title{MESORIDAZINE}
$Subject{Serentil (Boehringer Ingelheim)}
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Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


MESORIDAZINE
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BRAND NAME (Manufacturer):
     Serentil (Boehringer Ingelheim)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Phenothiazine tranquilizer
INGREDIENT:
     mesoridazine
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg)
     Oral concentrate (25 mg per ml, with 0.61% alcohol)
STORAGE:
     The tablet form of this medicine should be stored at room temperature in
       a tightly closed, light-resistant container.  The oral concentrate form
       of this medication should be stored in the refrigerator in a tightly
       closed, light-resistant container.  If the oral concentrate turns
       slightly yellow, the medicine is still effective and can be used.
       However, if the oral concentrate 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

     Mesoridazine is prescribed to treat certain types of mental illness, such
as psychosis, the manic phase of manic-depressive illness, and severe
behavioral problems in children.  This medication is thought to relieve the
symptoms of mental illness by blocking certain chemicals involved in nerve
transmission in the brain.  Mesoridazine may also be used to treat anxiety.

TREATMENT

     To avoid stomach irritation during treatment with mesoridazine, you can
take the tablet form of this medication with a meal or with a glass of water
or milk (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     The oral concentrate form of this medication should be measured carefully
with the dropper provided and then added to four ounces (1/2 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 the 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 two weeks after you start to take
it.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Constipation; decreased sweating; diarrhea; discoloration of the urine to
red, pink, or red-brown; dizziness; drooling; drowsiness; dry mouth; fatigue;
jitteriness; menstrual irregularities; nasal congestion; restlessness;
vomiting; or 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 use an effective sunscreen.
     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
blurred vision; 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

     Mesoridazine interacts with several other types of medications:
     1. It can cause extreme drowsiness when combined with alcohol, other
central nervous system depressants (such as barbiturates, benzodiazepine
tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, and pain medications), or
tricyclic antidepressants.
     2. Mesoridazine can decrease the effectiveness of amphetamines,
guanethidine, and levodopa.
     3. The combination of mesoridazine with antiarrhythmic agents such as
quinidine may result in impaired heart function.
     4. The effects of epinephrine, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors,
propranolol, phenytoin, and tricyclic antidepressants may be increased when
combined with this medication.
     5. Lithium may increase the side effects and decrease the effectiveness
of this medication.
     6. Antacids and antidiarrheal medicines may decrease the absorption of
mesoridazine from the gastrointestinal tract.  Therefore, at least one hour
should separate doses of one of these medicines and mesoridazine.
     Before starting to take mesoridazine, 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 mesoridazine or any other phenothiazine
tranquilizers (such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, perphenazine,
prochlorperazine, promazine, thioridazine, 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 tract, 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.  Mesoridazine 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 this medication.
     * Mesoridazine can decrease sweating and heat release from the body.  You
should, therefore, avoid becoming overheated by strenuous exercise in hot
weather and avoid taking 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 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 is injected into your spinal cord, tell your doctor that you are
taking this medication.
     * Avoid spilling the oral concentrate form of this medication on your
skin or clothing; it may cause redness and irritation of the skin.
     * While taking this medication, do not take any over-the-counter
(nonprescription) medication for weight control or for cough, cold, allergy,
asthma, or sinus problems without first checking with your doctor.  The
combination of these drugs with mesoridazine may cause high blood pressure.
     * 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 an infant.  Small amounts of
this medication pass into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in the
nursing infant.

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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.
