Fluanxol (flupentixol)

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Drowsiness

Blurred vision

Increased heart rate (tachycardia)

Increased need to pass urine or urinary incontinence

Drop in blood pressure when going from lying or sitting to sitting or standing, causing dizziness and lightheadedness (postural hypotension)

Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)

Restlessness and agitation

Confusion

Abnormal movements of the hands, legs, face, neck and tongue, eg tremor, twitching, rigidity (extrapyramidal effects)

Convulsions

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)

High blood prolactin (milk producing hormone) level - sometimes this can lead to symptoms such as breast enlargement, production of milk and stopping of menstrual periods

Interference with the body's temperature regulation (this is more common in elderly people and can cause heat stroke in very hot weather or hypothermia in very cold weather)

Weight changes

Sexual problems

Disturbances in the normal numbers of blood cells in the blood

Nausea

Dizziness

Headache/migraine

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

There may be an increased risk of drowsiness and sedation if flupentixol is taken with any of the following (which can also cause drowsiness):

alcohol

benzodiazepines, eg diazepam, temazepam

strong opioid painkillers, eg morphine, codeine

sedating antihistamines, eg chlorphenamine, hydroxyzine

sleeping tablets, eg zopiclone

tricyclic antidepressants, eg amitriptyline.

This medicine may enhance the blood pressure-lowering effects of certain medicines used to treat high blood pressure (antihypertensives). If you are taking medicines for high blood pressure you should tell your doctor if you feel dizzy or faint after starting treatment with this medicine, as your blood pressure medicines may need adjusting.

There may be an increased risk of side effects such as dry mouth, constipation, confusion or heat stroke (in hot and humid conditions) if flupentixol is taken with other medicines that can have anticholinergic effects, such as the following:

anticholinergic medicines for Parkinson's symptoms, eg procyclidine

antihistamines, eg brompheniramine, chlorphenamine

antispasmodic medicines, eg hyoscine, atropine

medicines for urinary incontinence, eg oxybutynin, flavoxate, tolterodine, propiverine, trospium

tricyclic antidepressants, eg amitriptyline.

There may be an increased risk of side effects such as tremor, movement disorders, confusion or drowsiness if flupentixol is taken in combination with lithium or sibutramine.

There may be an increased risk of movement disorders (extrapyramidal side effects) if flupentixol is taken in combination with metoclopramide.

Flupentixol may oppose the effects of medicines used to treat Parkinson's disease, eg levodopa.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

Depixol injection

Depixol tablets

NB. These medicines are not used to treat depression.

<<Go To Page 1

The documents contained in this web site are presented for information purposes only. The material is in no way intended to replace professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner. The materials in this web site cannot and should not be used as a basis for diagnosis or choice of treatment. Conditions for use



© Copyright 1998 - 2004 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved