fluphenazine Health Article

Generic name(s):

fluphenazine

Brand name(s):

Permitil, Prolixin

What is the most important information I should know about fluphenazine?

Call your doctor immediately if you have uncontrollable movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, arms, or legs. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Fluphenazine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking fluphenazine. Do not mix the liquid form of this medication with coffee, cola, tea, grape, or apple juice.

What is fluphenazine?

Fluphenazine is in a class of drugs called phenothiazines. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain.

Fluphenazine is used to treat psychotic disorders.

Fluphenazine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking fluphenazine?

Before taking fluphenazine, tell your doctor if you have

• bone marrow disease;

• glaucoma;

• seizures;

• Parkinson's disease;

• an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating;

• liver disease, or
• kidney disease.

You may not be able to take fluphenazine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

It is not known whether fluphenazine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take fluphenazine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether fluphenazine passes into breast milk. Do not take fluphenazine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from fluphenazine. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.

How should I take fluphenazine?

Take fluphenazine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

Fluphenazine can be taken with or without food.

Mix the concentrate with 4 ounces of water, orange juice, or grapefruit juice.

Do not mix the liquid with coffee, tea, cola, grape, or apple juice.

Fluphenazine is also available as an injection. Your doctor, nurse, or healthcare provider will give you detailed instructions regarding preparation and administration of the injection.

It is important to take fluphenazine regularly to get the most benefit.

Do not stop taking fluphenazine without first talking to your doctor. It may be several weeks before you begin to feel better, and you may require continuous treatment for quite some time. Talk to your doctor before you stop taking this medication.

Throw away any discolored liquid.

Store fluphenazine at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Store the liquid in a light-resistant container.

What happens if I miss a dose?

If you take one dose of fluphenazine a day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, then go back to your regular schedule the next day. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

If you are taking fluphenazine on a regular schedule several times a day, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.