FLUPENTIXOL

The active ingredient flupentixol is a type of medicine called an antipsychotic.
USE

Flupentixol is used to treat mental health problem like schizophrenia, which affect the way you think, feel or behave. These problems are thought to be caused by over-activity of certain areas of the brain.

Flupentixol is also used to treat depression. It works in a similar way, by blocking receptors in your brain, but you will be given a lower dose of the tablets.

Before taking Flupentixol

Before taking flupentixol make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:
•If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
•If you suffer from a heart condition or blood vessel disease.
•If you have liver or kidney problems.
•If you have breathing problems.
•If you suffer from Parkinson's disease.
•If you suffer from diabetes.
•If you have a condition called phaeochromocytoma (a tumour on your adrenal gland).
•If you have epilepsy, myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakening disease), prostate problems or glaucoma.
•If you have ever had jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes), porphyria (a rare blood disorder) or any other problems with your blood.
•If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
•If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other medicine.

Pregnancy and breast feeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
•The safety of this medicine for use during pregnancy has not been established. It should be avoided during pregnancy, particularly in the first and third trimesters, unless the expected benefit to the mother outweighs any possible risks to the developing baby. Seek medical advice from your doctor. If you do get pregnant while taking this medicine it is important to consult your doctor straight away for advice. It should not suddenly stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you to, as this could cause withdrawal symptoms.
•This medicine passes into breast milk and could have harmful effects on a nursing infant. The manufacturer recommends that mothers who need to take this medicine should not breastfeed and bottle feed instead.
Side effects

•Abnormal movements of the hands, legs, face, neck and tongue, eg tremor, twitching, rigidity (extrapyramidal effects).
•Anxiety, restlessness and agitation (akathisia).
•Increased salivation or dry mouth.
•Sleepiness.
•Rhythmical involuntary movement of the tongue, face, mouth and jaw, which may sometimes be accompanied by involuntary movements of the arms and legs (tardive dyskinesia - see warning section above).
•Increased heart rate (tachycardia).
•Irregular heart beats (arrhythmias).
•A drop in blood pressure (hypotension) that may cause dizziness.
•Interference with the body's temperature regulation (this is more common in elderly people and may cause heat stroke in very hot weather or hypothermia in very cold weather).
•Headache.
•Changes in appetite and weight.
•Problems with attention or speech.
•Feelings of being mentally dulled or slowed down.
•Difficulty sleeping (insomnia).
•Visual disturbances.
•Disturbances of the gut such as constipation, indigestion, nausea and vomiting.
•Difficulty passing urine, increased need to pass urine, or urinary incontinence.
•Excessive sweating.
•Skin reactions such as rashes, itching, increased sensitivity to sunlight.
•Sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction.