$Unique_ID{BRK03084} $Pretitle{} $Title{chlorprothixene} $Subject{Taractan Roche Antipsychotic chlorprothixen mental illness psychosis nerve transmission brain} $Volume{} $Log{} Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd. chlorprothixene ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ BRAND NAME (Manufacturer) Taractan (Roche) TYPE OF DRUG Antipsychotic INGREDIENT chlorprothixene DOSAGE FORMS Tablets (10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg) Oral suspension (100 mg as lactate and hydrochloride per 5-ml spoonful) STORAGE Store at room temperature in a tightly closed, light-resistant container. This medication should never be frozen. USES Chlorprothixene is prescribed to treat the symptoms of certain types of mental illness, such as emotional symptoms of psychosis. 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 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 suspension carefully with a specially designed 5-ml measuring spoon. An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate enough to ensure that you receive the proper dose of chlorprothixene. Antacids and antidiarrheal medicines may decrease the absorption of this medication from the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, it is very important to at least one hour should separate doses of chlorprothixene and one of these medicines. If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as possible and return to your regular schedule. If it is within two hours of your next dose, however, skip the dose you missed and return to your regular schedule. Do not double the dose (unless your doctor directs you to do so). The full effects of this medication for the control of emotional or mental symptoms may not become apparent for two weeks after you start to take it. SIDE EFFECTS Minor. Blurred vision, constipation, decreased sweating, diarrhea, dizziness, drooling, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, jitteriness, menstrual irregularities, nasal congestion, restlessness, tremors, vomiting, or weight gain. As your body adjusts to the medication, these side effects should disappear. This medication can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. It is, therefore, important to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. Wear protective clothing, and use an effective sunscreen. Chlorprothixene can also cause discoloration of the urine to red, pink, or redbrown. This is a harmless effect. If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, 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 in 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, or tongue; palpitations; rash; sleep disorders; sore throat; uncoordinated movements; unusual bleeding or bruising; visual disturbances; or yellowing of the eyes or skin. INTERACTIONS Chlorprothixene 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. This medication can decrease the effectiveness of amphetamines, guanethidine, anticonvulsants, and levodopa. 3. The side effects of epinephrine, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors, and tricyclic antidepressants may be increased by this medication. 4. Lithium may increase the side effects and decrease the effectiveness of this medication. Before starting to take chlorprothixene, 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 any medications, especially to chlorprothixene, thiothixene, or any phenothiazine tranquilizer. * Tell your doctor if you have a history of alcoholism, or if you now have or have ever had blood disease, bone marrow disease, brain disease, breast cancer, blockage in the urinary or digestive tract, drug-induced depression, epilepsy, high or low blood pressure, dibetes mellitus glaucoma, heart or circulatory disease, liver disease, lung disease, Parkinson's disease, peptic ulcers, or an enlarged prosate gland. * Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this medication, in order to prevent oversedation. * If this medication 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. * Before 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. * Chlorprothixene can decrease sweating and heat release from the body. You should, therefore, avoid becoming overheated by strenuous exercise in hot weather and avoid taking 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, tremulousness, 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 suspension form of this medication on your skin or clothing; it can cause redness and irritation of the skin. * Chlorprothixene tablets contain the color additive FD&C Yellow No. 5 (tartrazine), which can cause allergic-type reactions (fainting, shortness of breath, or rash). * While taking this medication, do not take any over-the-counter (nonprescription) drugs for weight control or for cough, cold, allergy, asthma, or sinus problems without checking with your doctor. The combination of these medications with chlorprothixene may cause high blood pressure. * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Small amounts of this medication can 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. ---------------- 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.