Thioridazine: Thioridazine Hydrochloride

Brand Names: Mellaril, Mellaril-S

Uses of Thioridazine:

Thioridazine belongs to a group of medicines known as the phenothiazine antipsychotics. It is sometimes referred to as a 'major tranquilliser'. Thioridazine is used to treat schizophrenia and symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and hostility.

Thioridazine can cause life-threatening irregular heartbeat. You should only take thioridazine if your schizophrenia has not responded to other medications. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting or seizures. Talk to your doctor about the risks of taking thioridazine.

How to Take Thioridazine

Take this medicine as directed. It can be taken with or without food. Do not stop taking this medicine abruptly without consulting with your doctor.

Side Effects of Thioridazine:

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Constipation
Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention)
Dry mouth
A drop in blood pressure that occurs when going from lying down to sitting or standing, which results in dizziness and lightheadedness (postural hypotension)
Drowsiness
Confusion
Blood disorders
Nasal congestion
Fits (convulsions)
Abnormal heart beats (arrhythmias)
Problems with sexual function
Heart attack (myocardial infarction)
Visual disturbances

Warnings and precautions for Thioridazine

Before taking Thioridazine,

Hypotension (which is usually orthostatic) may occur, especially in females, the elderly, and in alcoholic patients. The administration of epinephrine should be avoided in the treatment of drug-induced hypotension in view of the fact that phenothiazines may induce a reverse-epinephrine effect.
Sudden and unexplained death, apparently due to arrhythmias or cardiac arrest, has been reported. Previous brain damage or seizures may also be predisposing factors. High doses should be avoided in patients with a history of seizures.
Safe use of thioridazine in human pregnancy has not been established. Therefore, it should not be administered to pregnant women (particularly during the first trimester of pregnancy) unless the expected benefit to the patient clearly outweighs the potential risk to the fetus. Thioridazine may appear in human breast milk and therefore mothers receiving this drug should not breast-feed.
tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially antacids, antidepressant medications, antihistamines, appetite reducers (amphetamines), benztropine (Cogentin), bromocriptine (Parlodel), carbamazepine (Tegretol), dicyclomine (Bentyl), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), guanethidine (Ismelin), lithium, medication for colds, meperidine (Demerol), methyldopa (Aldomet), paroxetine (Paxil), phenytoin (Dilantin), pindolol (Visken), propranolol (Inderal), sedatives, trihexyphenidyl (Artane), valproic acid (Depakane), and vitamins.

What to do if you take Overdose of Thioridazine?

Seek medical attention immediately. For non emergencies, contact your local or regional poison control center.

What to do if you take Missed Dose of Thioridazine?

Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

How to Store Thioridazine:

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.