$Unique_ID{BRK01961}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{FLUPHENAZINE}
$Subject{Permitil (Schering)
Prolixin (Princeton)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


FLUPHENAZINE
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Permitil (Schering)
     Prolixin (Princeton)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Phenothiazine tranquilizer
INGREDIENT:
     fluphenazine
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (1 mg, 2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg)
     Oral concentrate (5 mg per ml, with 1% alcohol)
     Oral elixir (2.5 mg per 5-ml spoonful, with 14% alcohol)
STORAGE:
     The tablet form should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed,
       light-resistant container.  The oral concentrate and the elixir forms
       should be stored in the refrigerator in tightly closed, light-resistant
       containers.  If the concentrate or elixir turns slightly yellow, the
       medicine is still effective and can be used.  However, if it changes
       color markedly or has particles floating in it, it should not be used;
       discard it down the sink.  This drug should never be frozen.

USES

     Fluphenazine 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 and
adults.  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 or elixir 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 elixir 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 (1/2 cup) or more of
water, milk, or a cola-free, caffeine-free 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.
     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 fluphenazine.
     The full effects of this medication for the control of emotional or
mental symptoms may not become apparent until two weeks after you start to
take it.
     If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
possible and return to your regular dosing schedule.  If it is almost time for
the next dose, however, skip the one you missed and return to your regular
schedule.  Do not double the dose (unless your doctor directs you to do so).

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Blurred vision, constipation, decreased sweating, diarrhea, 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.
     Fluphenazine can also cause discoloration of the urine to red, pink, or
red-brown.  This is a harmless effect.
     This drug can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight.  Therefore, 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) 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, tongue, or limbs; palpitations; rash; sleep
disorders; sore throat; tremors; uncoordinated movements; unusual bleeding or
bruising; visual disturbances; or yellowing of the eyes or skin.  Also, tell
your doctor if your original symptoms worsen or change.

INTERACTIONS

     Fluphenazine 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. Fluphenazine can decrease the effectiveness of amphetamines,
guanethidine, anticonvulsants, and levodopa.
     3. The side effects of epinephrine, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors,
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.
     Before starting to take fluphenazine, 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
medications, especially to fluphenazine or any other phenothiazine
tranquilizers (such as chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, 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 of 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.  Fluphenazine may increase the side effects from the exposure.
     * To prevent oversedation, avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while
taking this medication.
     * If this drug 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.
     * 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.
     * 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,
avoid getting overheated by strenuous exercise in hot weather and should avoid
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 elixir 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 medications may cause high blood pressure.
     * Some of these products contain the color additive FD&C Yellow No. 5
(tartrazine), which can cause allergic-type reactions (shortness of breath,
rash, fainting) in certain susceptible individuals.
     * A potentially permament movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia may
develop with the use of these medications.  It is important to discuss this
with your doctor and to report any unusual or uncontrolled movements.
     * The elderly may be at greater risk for adverse effects when using this
drug.
     * 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.
