$Unique_ID{BRK01884}
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$Title{CHLORPROTHIXENE}
$Subject{Taractan (Roche)}
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Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


CHLORPROTHIXENE
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BRAND NAME (Manufacturer):
     Taractan (Roche)
TYPE OF DRUG
     Antipsychotic
INGREDIENT
     chlorprothixene
DOSAGE FORMS
     Tablets (10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg)
     Oral suspension (100 mg as lactate and hydrochloride per 5-ml spoonful)
STORAGE:
     Store at room temperature in a tightly closed, light-resistant container.
       This medication should never be frozen.

USES

     Chlorprothixene is prescribed to treat the symptoms of certain types of
mental illness, such as emotional symptoms of psychosis.  This medication is
thought to relieve the symptoms of mental illness by blocking certain
chemicals involved with nerve transmission in the brain.

TREATMENT

     To avoid stomach irritation, 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).
     Measure the oral suspension carefully with a specially designed 5-ml
measuring spoon.  An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate enough to
ensure that you receive the proper dose of chlorprothixene.
     Antacids and antidiarrheal medicines may decrease the absorption of this
medication from the gastrointestinal tract.  Therefore, at least one hour
should separate doses of chlorprothixene and one of these medicines.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
possible and return to your regular schedule.  If it is within two hours of
your next dose, however, skip the dose you missed and return to your regular
schedule.  Do not double the 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.

     Blurred vision, constipation, decreased sweating, diarrhea, dizziness,
drooling, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, jitteriness, menstrual
irregularities, nasal congestion, restlessness, tremors, 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.
     Chlorprothixene 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; uncoordinated movements; unusual bleeding or bruising;
visual disturbances; or yellowing of the eyes or skin.

INTERACTIONS

     Chlorprothixene interacts with several other types of
medications:
     1. It can cause extreme drowsiness when combined with alcohol or other
central nervous system depressants (such as barbiturates, benzodiazepine
tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, and pain medications) or with
tricyclic antidepressants.
     2. This medication can decrease the effectiveness of amphetamines,
guanethidine, anticonvulsants, and levodopa.
     3. The side effects of epinephrine, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors,
and tricyclic antidepressants may be increased by this medication.
     4. Lithium may increase the side effects and decrease the effectiveness
of this medication.
     Before starting to take chlorprothixene, 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 chlorprothixene, thiothixene, or any
phenothiazine tranquilizer.
     * Tell your doctor if you have a history of alcoholism, or if you now
have or have ever had 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.
     * Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this medication, in
order to prevent oversedation.
     * 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 equipment.  Be careful on stairs, and avoid getting up
suddenly from a lying or sitting position.
     * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
     * Some of the side effects caused by this drug can be prevented by taking
an antiparkinsonism drug.  Discuss this with your doctor.  Chlorprothixene 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, tremulousness, 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 suspension form of this medication on your skin
or clothing; it can cause redness and irritation of the skin.
     * Chlorprothixene tablets contain the color additive FD&C Yellow No. 5
(tartrazine), which can cause allergic-type reactions (fainting, shortness of
breath, or rash) in certain susceptible individuals.
     * 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 without checking with your doctor.  The combination
of these medications with chlorprothixene may cause high blood pressure.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Small amounts of this
medication can 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.
