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- $Unique_ID{BRK03349}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{thiothixene}
- $Subject{Navane Roerig Antipsychotic thiothixene mental illness emotional
- psychosis}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- thiothixene
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- Navane (Roerig)
- thiothixene (various manufacturers)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Antipsychotic
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- thiothixene
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Capsules (1 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, and 20 mg)
- Oral concentrate (5 mg per ml, with 7% alcohol)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Thiothixene capsules should be stored at room temperature in a tightly
- closed, light-resistant container. The oral concentrate should be stored in
- the refrigerator in a tightly closed, light-resistant container. This
- medication should never be frozen. Discard any medication that is outdated or
- no longer needed.
-
- USES
-
- Thiothixene is prescribed to treat the symptoms of certain types of
- mental illness, such as emotional symptoms of psychosis.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- To avoid stomach irritation, you can take the capsule form of thiothixene
- 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 eight ounces of water, milk, or a
- carbonated beverage, or to applesauce or pudding immediately prior to
- administration. To prevent possible loss of effectiveness, this medication
- should not be diluted in tea, coffee, or apple juice.
- Antacids and antidiarrheal medicines decrease the absorption of this
- medication from the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, at least one hour
- should separate doses of one of these medicines and thiothixene.
- If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
- possible and then return to your regular dosing schedule. If it is almost
- time for the next dose, however, skip the one you missed and return to your
- regular schedule. Do not double the dose (unless so directed by your doctor).
- The full effects of this medication for the control of emotional or
- mental symptoms may not become apparent for at least two weeks after you start
- to take it.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Blurred vision, constipation, decreased sweating, diarrhea, dizziness,
- 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.
- Thiothixene can cause discoloration of the urine to red, pink, or
- red-brown. 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).
- To reduce mouth dryness, chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a
- piece of hard candy.
- 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
- breast enlargement (in both sexes); chest pain; convulsions; darkened skin;
- difficulty in swallowing or breathing; drooling; 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
-
- Thiothixene interacts with other types of medications:
- 1. It can cause extreme drowsiness when combined with alcohol or other
- central nervous system depressants (drugs that slow the activity of the brain
- and spinal cord), such as barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle
- relaxants, narcotics, and pain medications, or with tricyclic antidepressants.
- 2. Thiothixene 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. At least
- 14 days should separate the use of this drug and the use of an MAO inhibitor.
- 4. Lithium may increase the side effects and decrease the effectiveness
- of thiothixene.
- 5. False-positive pregnancy tests may occur. If you think you may be
- pregnant, call your doctor.
- 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 thiothixene, chlorprothixene, 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, diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, heart or
- circulatory disease, liver disease, lung disease, Parkinson's disease, peptic
- ulcers, or enlarged prostate gland.
- * Avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while taking this medication, in
- order to prevent oversedation.
- * If this drug 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.
- * 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.
- * Some of the side effects caused by this drug can be prevented by taking
- an antiparkinsonism drug. Discuss this with your doctor.
- * This medication can decrease sweating and heat release from the body.
- You should, therefore, try not to become overheated (avoid exercising
- strenuously in hot weather, and do not take 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 the space surrounding the 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 can cause redness and irritation of the skin.
- * While taking this medication, do not take any over-the-counter
- (nonprescription) medications for weight control or for cough, cold, allergy,
- asthma, or sinus problems unless you first check with your doctor. The
- combination of these medications may cause high blood pressure.
- * Your doctor may schedule regular office visits during your first few
- months of therapy with this medication in order to monitor your progress.
- * 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. Small amounts of this
- medication pass into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in nursing
- infants.
-
- ----------------
-
- 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.
-