Fluphenazine is used to treat certain mood disorders including schizophrenia (a long-term mental disorder that causes changes in thoughts, feelings, and behaviour). It helps relieve symptoms of mood disorder, such as distorted thinking and emotional instability.
This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Fluphenazine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
This medicine is available as a tablet or an oral liquid.
If you have been given the oral liquid, use the calibrated dropper supplied with each bottle to measure out your dose. Refer to the package insert for directions on how the dropper should be used. The oral liquid must be mixed with at least 60 mL of non-alcoholic drink such as water, tomato or fruit juices, milk, or decaffeinated soft drinks. Once it is mixed, drink it immediately. Do not mix Fluphenazine oral liquid with coffee, tea, cola (soda), or apple juice.
Avoid any contact of the oral liquid with your skin, as it may cause irritation. Rinse immediately with water if this medicine accidentally comes in contact with your skin.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your condition.
Fluphenazine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it suddenly as this may worsen your condition.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- brain injury or damage
- liver disease
- blood disorders
- severe depression
- phaeochromocytoma (rare tumour of the adrenal gland causing high blood pressure)
- receiving large doses of certain medicines for sleep disorder
as Fluphenazine may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- history of glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
- heart disease
- diabetes
- thyroid disease
- severe lung disease
- slow bowel movement or when the bowel does not work properly
- with or a history of epilepsy (fits or seizures)
- history of low white blood cell count caused by drug use
- myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness disorder)
- Parkinson's disease (a disorder that affects the movement of a person, causing symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and impaired balance or walking)
- Alzheimer’s disease (a progressive disease which destroys memory and other important mental functions)
- exposed to extreme heat or phosphorus insecticides
- undergoing strenuous exercise
- enlarged prostate gland
- kidney disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving this medicine to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Notify your doctor if you have problems related to alcohol withdrawal.
If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking Fluphenazine.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. liver/kidney function, cholesterol/sugar/electrolyte levels, eye examination, complete blood count) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you will need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring of mental status and changes in vision may also be needed.
What lifestyle changes should I make?
Fluphenazine may affect the ability of your body to adjust to temperature changes in the environment. Avoid exposure to very cold or very hot environments. Avoid strenuous exercise and activities like going to the sauna. Drink more water to prevent dehydration.
Fluphenazine may cause drowsiness and blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.
This medicine may cause your blood pressure to fall suddenly when you get up from a sitting or lying down position and you may feel giddy. To minimise this problem, stand up slowly.
Other side effects include any of the following: headache, nasal congestion, vomiting, nausea, loss of appetite, dry mouth, constipation, problems passing urine or passing urine too often, weight changes, difficulty sleeping, and skin sensitivity to sunlight.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- very high fever, muscle stiffness, feeling confused, irregular pulse, excessive sweating
- fever with persistent sore throats and mouth ulcers
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- fast or irregular heartbeat, chest pain
- muscle rigidity or spasms, difficulty swallowing or speaking, irregular or jerky movements, slowness of movements
- changes in sex drive, menstrual changes
- fits or seizures
- yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines for mood disorders e.g. pimozide, lithium, chlorpromazine
- medicines to treat depression e.g. maprotiline, amitriptyline
- medicines for Parkinson's disease e.g. levodopa, bromocriptine
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenobarbital, phenytoin, carbamazepine
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. clonidine, bisoprolol, captopril, methyldopa
- medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. quinidine, disopyramide, procainamide, amiodarone, sotalol, digoxin
- quinine (medicine for malaria)
- sparfloxacin (certain antibiotic)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Fluphenazine.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from light. Do not freeze the oral liquid.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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