Uses
Thioridazine is used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia (a mental illness that causes disturbed or unusual thinking, loss of interest in life, and strong or inappropriate emotions) in people who have already been treated with at least 2 other medications and have not been helped or who have experienced severe side effects. Thioridazine is in a group of medications called conventional antipsychotics. It works by decreasing abnormal excitement in the brain.
Side Effects Of Thioridazine
Thioridazine may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- drowsiness
- blurred vision
- dry mouth
- nausea
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- constipation
- changes in appetite
- weight gain
- stuffed nose
- pale skin
- darkening of the skin or eyes
- swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
- blank facial expression
- shuffling walk
- unusual slowed, or uncontrollable movements of any part of the body
- restlessness
- unusual dreams
- breast milk production
- breast enlargement
- missed menstrual periods
- decreased sexual ability in men
- difficulty urinating
Some side effects may be serious. If you experience any of the following symptoms or the ones listed in the WARNING section, call your doctor immediately:
- fever
- muscle stiffness
- confusion
- sweating
- neck cramps
- tightness in the throat
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- the tongue that sticks out of the mouth
- fine, worm-like tongue movements
- uncontrollable, rhythmic face, mouth, or jaw movements
- vision loss, especially at night
- seeing everything with a brown tint
- yellowing of the skin and eyes
- rash
- hives
- an erection that lasts for hours
Thioridazine may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while you are taking thioridazine.
Warnings & Precautions
Before taking thioridazine:
- tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to thioridazine, other phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, perphenazine, prochlorperazine (Compro), promethazine (Phenergan), or trifluoperazine; or any other medications.
- tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Be sure to mention the medications listed in the IMPORTANT WARNING section or any of the following: antidepressants; antihistamines; atropine (in Motofen, in Lomotil, in Lonox); barbiturates such as pentobarbital (Nembutal), phenobarbital (Luminal), and secobarbital (Seconal); epinephrine (Epipen); ipratropium (Atrovent); medications for anxiety or mental illness, irritable bowel disease, motion sickness, Parkinson’s disease, seizures, ulcers, or urinary problems; narcotic medications for pain; sedatives; sleeping pills; and tranquilizers. Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
- tell your doctor if you are thinking about killing yourself or planning or trying to do so and if you have or have ever had any of the conditions listed in the WARNING section or either of the following: seizures or breast cancer. Also, tell your doctor if you have ever had to stop taking a medication for mental illness due to severe side effects or if you plan to work with organophosphorus insecticides (a type of chemical used to kill insects).
- tell your doctor if you are pregnant, especially if you are in the last few months of your pregnancy, or if you plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking thioridazine, call your doctor. Thioridazine may cause problems in newborns following delivery if it is taken during the last months of pregnancy.
- talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits of taking thioridazine if you are 65 years of age or older. Older adults should not usually take thioridazine because it is not as safe as other medications that can be used to treat the same condition.
- if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking thioridazine.
- you should know that this medication may make you drowsy and may affect your thinking and movements. Tell your doctor if you plan to drive a car or operate machinery. Your doctor will tell you if these activities are safe for you and may increase the dose of your medication very gradually so that your body can adjust to these side effects.
- ask your doctor about the safe use of alcohol while you are taking thioridazine. Alcohol can make the side effects of thioridazine worse.
Dosage Of Thioridazine
Thioridazine comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken two to four times a day. Take thioridazine at around the same times every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take thioridazine exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.
Your doctor will probably start you on a low dose of thioridazine and gradually increase your dose until your symptoms are controlled. Once your symptoms have been controlled for some time, your doctor may decrease your dose. Be sure to tell your doctor how you are feeling during your treatment with thioridazine.
Thioridazine may help to control your symptoms but will not cure your condition. Continue to take thioridazine even if you feel well. Do not stop taking thioridazine without talking to your doctor.
Other
Thioridazine may interfere with the results of home pregnancy tests. Talk to your doctor if you think you might be pregnant during your treatment with thioridazine. Do not try to test for pregnancy at home.
Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
