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| Pronunciation |
|
 (thye
oh RID a
zeen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Mellaril® |
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| Foreign Brand
Names |
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| Apo-Thioridazine® (Canada);
Novo-Ridazine® (Canada); PMS-Thioridazine (Canada) |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antipsychotic Agent, Phenothazine, Piperidine |
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| What key warnings should I know
about before taking this
medicine? |
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- This medicine can change the electrical activity in your heart.
This change could cause abnormally fast heartbeats. Thioridazine does not mix
well with many medicines. Check all medicines you are taking with your
healthcare provider before starting this medicine. If you have a history of
abnormally fast heartbeats tell your healthcare provider. Your healthcare
provider will be ordering an ECG and blood work for you before starting this
medicine.
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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|
- If you have an allergy to thioridazine or any other part of the
medicine. If you are allergic to another phenothiazine, talk with healthcare
provider.
- If you have any of the following conditions: Very low blood pressure,
disease in the bone marrow, history of abnormal heartbeats (arrhythmias),
abnormalities in any of the cells in your blood.
- If you are taking any of these medicines: Fluoxetine, paroxetine,
fluvoxamine, propranolol, or pindolol.
- If you stopped taking fluoxetine less than 5 weeks ago. Fluoxetine
should be stopped for at least 5 weeks before starting
thioridazine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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|
- This medicine is used for the treatment of symptoms seen in
schizophrenia. It is used in patients who do not improve while on other
medicines. It can also be used in patients who have bad side effects to other
medicines.
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| How does it work? |
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- Thioridazine changes a variety of chemicals in the
brain.
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| How is it best taken? |
|
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- Take with food.
- A liquid (concentrate, suspension) is available if you cannot swallow
pills. Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding
tube before and after medicine is given. Mix concentrate with
1/2
a cup of water before drinking. Shake suspension well first.
- For tube feeding patients, stop tube feeding. Flush tube. Give
medicine. Flush tube well. Restart tube feeding.
- Make sure you are drinking enough liquids unless told to drink less by
healthcare provider. Avoid products with caffeine.
- Do not suddenly stop using this medicine if you have been taking it
for a long time. Medicine should be slowly decreased.
- Do not spill liquid concentrate on skin. Can irritate your
skin.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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|
- If you have a history of an irregular heartbeat, a fast heartbeat, or
an arrhythmia then talk with healthcare provider before taking this medicine.
- If you are on any heart medicines like quinidine, procainamide,
disopyramide, mexiletine, moricizine, tocainide, flecainide, propafenone,
amiodarone, sotalol then talk with healthcare provider before taking.
- Check medicines with healthcare provider. Some medicines like
fluoxetine, paroxetine, fluvoxamine, propranolol, pindolol do not mix well with
this medicine.
- If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects.
- You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines
and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives,
tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Be careful in hot weather. You may be more sensitive to the heat.
- You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen;
wear protective clothing and eyewear.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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|
- Feeling sleepy, lightheaded, or having blurred vision. Avoid driving,
doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert until you see how
this medicine affects you.
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
- Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may
help.
- Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing
diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
- Unable to pass urine. Go to the bathroom before taking medicine. Talk
with healthcare provider if it becomes a problem.
- Movements not controlled by you, shakiness, difficulty moving around,
or stiffness.
- Restlessness and inability to stay still or calm.
- Weight gain.
- Change in sexual ability or desire. This can return to normal after
medicine stopped. Talk with healthcare provider about other medicines without
this side effect.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Monitor for side effects.
- Follow up with healthcare provider.
- You will need a tracing of your heartbeat (ECG) and some blood work
before starting medicine.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, lightheadedness, rapid heartbeats or
pounding in the chest.
- Movements not controlled by you, shakiness, difficulty moving around,
or stiffness.
- Restlessness and inability to stay still or calm.
- Changes in balance, feeling shaky or unsteady.
- Too tired or sleepy.
- Menstrual changes. This includes lots of bleeding, spotting, or
bleeding between cycles.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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