Fluphenazine

Fluphenazine is given as an intramuscular (into the muscle) injection at your doctor's office or clinic on a regular basis (usually every 2 to 3 weeks). The dose depends on the individual person being treated, and will be determined by your doctor. Seniors may require lower doses.

Many things can affect the dose of medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are using the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important that Fluphenazine be given exactly as recommended by your doctor. If you miss an appointment to receive fluphenazine decanoate, contact your doctor as soon as possible to reschedule your appointment.

Fluphenazine is stored at room temperature and protected from light. Freezing and heat above 25 °C should be avoided. Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not dispose of medications in wastewater (e.g. down the sink or in the toilet) or in household garbage. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medications that are no longer needed or have expired.

In addition to its desired action, this medication may cause some adverse effects, notably: it may cause nasal irritation or stuffiness; it may cause constipation - to prevent this, drink plenty of water or juice, and eat more dietary fibre; it may cause dizziness - use caution when getting up from a lying or sitting position and use caution if driving; it may make your skin more sensitive to UV rays (e.g., sunlight, tanning lamps) - avoid exposure to UV rays as much as possible and protect yourself when out in the sun; it may cause weight gain, mostly with prolonged use; it may increase your heart rate. Each person may react differently to a treatment. If you think this medication may be causing adverse effects (including those described here, or others), talk to your health care professional. He or she can help you to determine whether or not the medication is the source of the problem.

Fluphenazine Omega is no longer being manufactured for sale in Canada. For brands that may still be available, search under fluphenazine decanoate. This article is being kept available for reference purposes only. If you are using Fluphenazine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for information about your treatment options.

You should not receive fluphenazine decanoate if you:

• are allergic to fluphenazine decanoate, other phenothiazine medications (e.g., Prochlorperazine, Chlorpromazine), or any ingredients of the medication
• are taking large doses of CNS depressant medications such as alcohol, sedatives (e.g., Lorazepam, Diazepam), or narcotics (e.g., Codeine, Oxycodone, Hydromorphone)
• have blood disorders
• have serious heart, brain, or Kidney Disease
• have suspected or documented brain damage or hardening of the arteries in the brain
• have liver damage
• have a pheochromocytoma, a tumour of the adrenal glands has severe central nervous system (CNS) Depression that can cause decreased heart rate and breathing

There may be an interaction between fluphenazine decanoate and any of the following:

• Abiraterone
• aclidinium
• alcohol
• amphetamines (e.g., Dextroamphetamine, Lisdexamfetamine)
• antihistamines that cause drowsiness (e.g., Diphenhydramine)
• antiseizure medications (e.g., Phenytoin, Carbamazepine)
• asunaprevir
• azelastinebarbiturates (e.g., Phenobarbital, butalbital)
• benzodiazepines (e.g., Alprazolam, Clonazepam, diazepam, lorazepam)
• beta-blockers (e.g., Atenolol, Carvedilol, Propranolol)
• Bupropion
• Buspirone
• Bromocriptine
• chloral hydrate
• chloroquine
• Clonidine
• cobicisat
• Darifenacin
• Dextromethorphan
• Donepezil
• Dronedarone
• Epinephrine
• ergot alkaloids (e.g., ergotamine, Dihydroergotamine)
• Flavoxate
• imatinib
• ipratropium
• levodopa
• lithium
• Mefloquine
• Methylphenidate
• Metoclopramide
• Mirabegron
• Mirtazapine
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (M.O.S. e.g., Moclobemide, Rasagiline, Selegiline, Tranylcypromine)
• muscle relaxants (e.g., Baclofen, Cyclobenzaprine, orphenadrine, Tizanidine)
• narcotic pain medication (e.g., codeine, Morphine, oxycodone)
• nefazodone
• other antipsychotics (e.g., chlorpromazine, Clozapine, Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Quetiapine, Risperidone)
• potassium chloride
• Pramipexole
• Primaquine
• Pseudoephedrine
• quinidine
• quinine
• quinolone antibiotics (e.g., moxifloxacin)
• Ropinirole
• saquinavir
• selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs; e.g., Citalopram, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Sertraline)
• serotonin/norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs; e.g., Desvenlafaxine, Duloxetine, Venlafaxine)
• Solifenacin
• thiazide diuretics (water pills; e.g., Hydrochlorothiazide, Indapamide, Metolazone)
• tiotropium
• tipranavir
• Trazodone
• tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., Amitriptyline, Imipramine, Nortriptyline)
• "triptan" migraine medications (e.g., Eletriptan, Sumatriptan)
• Tryptophan
• umeclidinium
• Zolpidem
• Zopiclone

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with Fluphenazine. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the Nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Fluphenazine.

Abnormal heart rhythm: Fluphenazine may cause or increase the risk for a certain type of abnormal heart rhythm called QT prolongation. Other medications can also increase the risk of QT prolongation when taken together with fluphenazine decanoate. If you experience symptoms of an abnormal heart rhythm such as dizziness, heart palpitations (fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat), fainting, or seizures, stop taking Fluphenazine and get immediate medical attention.

Blood Clots: Fluphenazine may increase the chance of blood clot formation. If you have a history of clotting you may be at increased risk of experiencing blood clot-related problems such as Heart Attack, stroke, or clots in the deep veins of your leg.

If you experience symptoms such as sharp pain and swelling in the leg, difficulty breathing, chest pain, blurred vision, or difficulty speaking, contact your doctor immediately.

Blood counts: Fluphenazine can decrease the number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection) and platelets (which help your blood to clot). Your doctor will do blood tests to monitor this. If you notice any signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, or sore throat) or unusual bleeding or bruising, contact your doctor immediately.

Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Especially in the first few days of treatment, Fluphenazine may impair the mental and physical abilities required for driving a car or operating heavy machinery. Avoid these activities until you know Fluphenazine does not affect your ability to perform them safely. Avoid drinking alcohol while using Fluphenazine, as it can produce extreme drowsiness.

Heat exposure and sweating: Fluphenazine decanoate may prevent the body from cooling when overheated by reducing your ability to sweat. Avoid becoming overheated when using fluphenazine decanoate.

Involuntary movement: Like other medications to control symptoms of schizophrenia, fluphenazine decanoate may cause rhythmic involuntary movements, known as tardive dyskinesia. Tardive dyskinesia is more likely to occur in women and seniors. These movements may involve only the tongue, face, mouth, or jaw, or they may include the extremities and trunk. Tardive dyskinesia is not reversible for some people. Report involuntary movements including sticking out the tongue, puckering mouth, or chewing movements to your doctor as soon as possible.

Kidney function: Fluphenazine decanoate may cause decreased kidney function and should not be used by people with kidney disease. Your doctor may want to regularly monitor your kidney function with blood tests when you first start taking fluphenazine decanoate to monitor for reduced kidney function.

Liver problems: Fluphenazine decanoate may cause liver problems. Your doctor may want to test your liver function with blood tests regularly while you are taking Fluphenazine. If you notice any signs of liver problems such as yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, weight loss, dark urine, or pale stools, contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Low blood pressure: Fluphenazine can cause low blood pressure. If you have heart disease, disorders of the blood vessels in the brain, or are having surgery, discuss with your doctor how Fluphenazine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Fluphenazine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: Very rarely, fluphenazine decanoate has been reported to cause a severe reaction called neuroleptic malignant syndrome. If you or someone in your family who is being given fluphenazine decanoate develops symptoms including high body temperature (above 38°C), sweating, rapid heartbeat, severe muscle stiffness, and change in alertness, seek emergency help immediately.

Seizure disorders: Seizures have been reported by people who are taking fluphenazine decanoate. If you have seizure disorders, discuss with your doctor how Fluphenazine may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Fluphenazine, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Sun: Fluphenazine makes you more sensitive to the harmful effects of sunlight.

Tremor and stiffness: As with other medications used to treat schizophrenia, fluphenazine decanoate may cause tremors or stiffness, or difficulty beginning purposeful movement. If this occurs, report it to your doctor as soon as possible.

Vision changes: Fluphenazine decanoate has been reported to cause changes in vision. Tell your doctor about any changes as soon as possible.

Withdrawal: Suddenly stopping Fluphenazine can cause withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and shaking. Do not stop using Fluphenazine unless recommended by your doctor.

Pregnancy: Fluphenazine should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Fluphenazine, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: It is not known if fluphenazine decanoate passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking Fluphenazine, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of Fluphenazine have not been established for children.

Seniors: Seniors with Dementia may be more at risk of heart attack, stroke and death while using Fluphenazine. They are also more likely to experience side effects. Talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of using Fluphenazine.

This medication is typically used only once a day. However, your pharmacist may have suggested a different schedule that is more appropriate for you. Take it regularly and continuously to maintain its beneficial effects. Important: Follow the instructions on the label. Do not use more of this product, or more often, than prescribed. It is not advisable to stop using this product suddenly, particularly if you have been on it for several weeks. If you are considering stopping the medication, talk to your pharmacist first. This medication may irritate the stomach, and should be taken with food. It is best to avoid coffee, spicy food or alcohol. Consuming alcohol may intensify the effect of this product. It is therefore advisable to avoid consuming alcohol or alcohol-containing products while taking this medication.