Melleril (discontinued in the UK - June 2005)

How does it work?

Melleril contains the active ingredient thioridazine, which belongs to a group of medicines known as the phenothiazine antipsychotics. (NB. Thioridazine is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.) It acts by blocking a variety of receptors in the brain, particularly dopamine receptors. Dopamine is involved in transmitting signals between brain cells. When there is an excess amount of dopamine in the brain it causes over-stimulation of dopamine receptors. These receptors normally act to modify behaviour and over-stimulation may result in psychotic illness. Thioridazine blocks these receptors and stops them becoming over-stimulated, thereby helping to control psychotic illness. This medicine is used to treat schizophrenia, only as a second line treatment if other medicines have failed.

What is it used for?

Schizophrenia

Warning!

This medicine may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Alcohol should be avoided.

You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you otherwise.

It is recommended that you receive regular eye examinations while you taking this medicine, as it can sometimes cause eye problems. Consult your doctor if you experience any disturbances in your vision while taking this medicine.

If you experience any signs of infection while taking this medicine, such as flu-like symptoms, high temperature (fever), sore throat or inflammation of the lining of the mouth (stomatitis), you should tell your doctor immediately.

The functioning of your heart should be tested with a heart monitoring trace (ECG) before starting this medicine. This should be repeated before any dose increases and at 6 monthly intervals once your dose is stabilised.

Regular blood tests to monitor liver function and levels of salts (electrolytes) and blood components should be performed while taking this medicine.

Use with caution in

Abnormal muscle weakness

Epilepsy

History of chronic constipation

History of closed angle glaucoma

History of difficulty passing urine (urinary retention)

History of enlarged prostate gland

History of raised pressure within the eye

Hypothyroidism

Kidney disease

Liver disease

Low body weight

Parkinson's disease

People whose blood pressure drops when moving from lying or sitting to standing, causing dizziness (postural hypotension)

Severe disease affecting the airways or lungs

Tumour of the adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma)

Not to be used in

Abnormal heart rhythm seen on the heart monitoring trace (ECG) as a 'prolonged QT interval', or a family history of this

Allergy to phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine and prochlorperazine

Breastfeeding

Children

Dementia

Family history of sudden death

Heart disorders such as heart failure, angina, abnormal heart rhythm, slow heart rate, heart block or other heart disease

Hereditary deficiency of a compound in the liver (cytochrome P450 2D6 deficiency)

History of abnormal heart rhythms (ventricular arrhythmias or Torsade de Pointes)

History of serious blood disorders such as decreased blood cell production by the bone marrow

History of severe allergic reactions, including those to light (photosensitivity)

Imbalance of the salts in the blood, particularly low blood potassium levels (hypokalaemia) or low blood magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia)

Reduced awareness, slow reactions or drowsiness due to medicines or illness that reduce activity in the central nervous system

Stroke

Unresponsive unconscious states (comatose states)

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

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 is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine passes into breast milk and women taking this medicine should therefore not breastfeed. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

This medication may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink.

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