Details

Flupenthixol belongs to the family of medications known as thioxanthenes. This medication is used in the treatment of schizophrenia. It is thought to work by affecting nerve pathways in certain areas of the brain to help correct certain chemical imbalances that cause the symptoms of schizophrenia. You should not use flupenthixol if you are allergic to flupenthixol or any ingredients of this medication are allergic to other thioxanthines (e.g., thiothixine) are intoxicated with alcohol or other medications (such as hypnotics, other opioids like codeine or morphine, or psychotropic medications for mental health conditions) have brain or liver damage or have serious heart disease, brain disease, or kidney disease.

Typical Uses

Flupenthixol is an antipsychotic neuroleptic drug. It is a thioxanthene, and therefore closely related to the phenothiazines. Its primary use is as a long acting injection given two or three weekly to people with schizophrenia who have a poor compliance with medication and suffer frequent relapses of illness. Flupenthixol is an anxiolytic, anti-depressive agent and a mood stabilizer. It inhibits the central monoamine receptors, particularly the dopamine D1 and D2 receptors. Therefore, it increases the amount of serotonin and noradrenaline that control mood and thinking, and improves mood.

Side Effects

Some of the side effects of flupenthixol include changes in menstrual periods constipation decreased interest in sexual activity decreased sexual ability dizziness dry mouth fatigue increased production of saliva increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight increased sweating stuffy nose swelling of breasts (in men and women) unusual secretion of milk or weight changes. Stop taking flupenthixol and seek immediate medical attention if you have difficulty breathing increased sweating long-lasting (more than 4 hours) and painful erection loss of bladder control seizures severe dizziness signs of a heart attack (e.g., chest pain or pressure, pain extending through shoulder and arm, nausea and vomiting, sweating) signs of a stroke (e.g., headache, loss of coordination, slurred speech, weakness, numbness, or unexplained pain in the arm or leg) signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (e.g., high fever, muscle stiffness, confusion or loss of consciousness, sweating, racing or irregular heartbeat, or fainting) or unusual tiredness.

Drug Interactions

Flupenthixol may interact with aclidinium, alcohol, alfuzosin, amantadine, amiodarone, amphetamines, anagrelide, apomorphine, bosutinib, brimonidine, cannabis, disopyramide, donepezil, dronedarone, etc.

Mechanism of action

Flupenthixol is a thioxanthene antipsychotic. The mechanism of action of Flupenthixol is not completely understood. Flupenthixol is a powerful antagonist of both D1 and D2 dopamine receptors, and an alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist. It's antipsychotic activity is thought to be related to blocks postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the CNS.

Pregnancy Category : C