home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- $Unique_ID{BRK03220}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{mesoridazine}
- $Subject{Serentil Boehringer Ingelheim Phenothiazine tranquilizer mesoridazine
- mental illness psychosis manic manic-depressive behavioral problems children
- chemicals nerve transmission brain anxiety}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- mesoridazine
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAME (Manufacturer)
-
- Serentil (Boehringer Ingelheim)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Phenothiazine tranquilizer
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- mesoridazine
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Tablets (10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg)
- Oral concentrate (25 mg per ml, with 0.61% alcohol)
-
- STORAGE
-
- The tablet form of this medicine should be stored at room temperature in
- a tightly closed, light-resistant container. The oral concentrate form of
- this medication should be stored in the refrigerator in a tightly closed,
- light-resistant container. If the oral concentrate turns slightly yellow, the
- medicine is still effective and can be used. However, if the oral concentrate
- changes color markedly or has particles floating in it, it should not be used;
- rather, it should be discarded down the sink. This medication should never be
- frozen.
-
- USES
-
- Mesoridazine is prescribed to treat certain types of mental illness, such
- as psychosis, the manic phase of manic-depressive illness, and severe
- behavioral problems in children. This medication is thought to relieve the
- symptoms of mental illness by blocking certain chemicals involved in nerve
- transmission in the brain. Mesoridazine may also be used to treat anxiety.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- To avoid stomach irritation during treatment with mesoridazine, 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).
- The oral concentrate form of this medication should be measured carefully
- with the dropper provided and then added to four ounces (1/4 cup) or more of
- water, milk, or a carbonated beverage or to applesauce or pudding immediately
- prior to administration. To prevent possible loss of effectiveness, the
- medication should not be diluted in tea, coffee, or apple juice.
- If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
- possible, unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, do not
- take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule. Do
- not double the next 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.
-
- Constipation; decreased sweating; diarrhea; discoloration of the urine to
- red, pink, or red-brown; dizziness; drooling; drowsiness; dry mouth; fatigue;
- jitteriness; menstrual irregularities; nasal congestion; restlessness;
- 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.
- 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 of 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
- blurred vision; 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; tremors; uncoordinated
- movements; unusual bleeding or bruising; visual disturbances; or yellowing of
- the eyes or skin.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Mesoridazine interacts with several other types of medications:
- 1. It can cause extreme drowsiness when combined with alcohol, other
- central nervous system depressants (such as barbiturates, benzodiazepine
- tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, and pain medications), or
- tricyclic antidepressants.
- 2. Mesoridazine can decrease the effectiveness of amphetamines,
- guanethidine, and levodopa.
- 3. The combination of mesoridazine with antiarrhythmic agents such as
- quinidine may result in impaired heart function.
- 4. The effects of epinephrine, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors,
- propranolol, phenytoin, and tricyclic antidepressants may be increased when
- combined with this medication.
- 5. Lithium may increase the side effects and decrease the effectiveness
- of this medication.
- 6. Antacids and antidiarrheal medicines may decrease the absorption of
- mesoridazine from the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, at least one hour
- should separate doses of one of these medicines and mesoridazine.
- Before starting this drug, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any drugs
- you are currently taking.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to mesoridazine or any other phenothiazine
- tranquilizers (such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, perphenazine,
- prochlorperazine, promazine, thioridazine, trifluoperazine, and
- triflupromazine) or to loxapine.
- * Tell your doctor if you have a history of alcoholism or if you now have
- or have ever had any 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, diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, heart or
- circulatory disease, liver disease, lung disease, Parkinson's disease, peptic
- ulcers, or an enlarged prostate gland.
- * Tell your doctor about any recent exposure to a pesticide or an
- insecticide. Mesoridazine may increase the side effects from the exposure.
- * To prevent oversedation, avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while
- taking this medication.
- * 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 machinery. Be careful on stairs.
- * Prior to having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be
- sure to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
- * Mesoridazine 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, tremors, or 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 is injected into your spinal cord, tell your doctor that you are
- taking this medication.
- * Avoid spilling the oral concentrate form of this medication on your
- skin or clothing; it may cause redness and irritation of the skin.
- * While taking this medication, do not take any over-the-counter
- (nonprescription) medication for weight control or for cough, cold, allergy,
- asthma, or sinus problems without first checking with your doctor. The
- combination of these drugs with mesoridazine may cause high blood pressure.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Small amounts of this
- medication 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.
-