Piportil Depot

How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient pipotiazine palmitate (previously spelt pipothiazine in the UK), which belongs to a group of medications known as the phenothiazine antipsychotics. It is sometimes referred to as a 'major tranquilliser'. 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. Pipotiazine blocks these receptors and stops them becoming over-stimulated, thereby helping to control psychotic illness. By preparing the active ingredient in a special preparation known as a depot injection, pipotiazine palmitate is released very slowly and one injection will usually last for around one month.

What is it used for?

Psychotic illness

Schizophrenia

Warning!

Do not drink alcohol whilst taking this medicine.

Use with caution in

Abnormal muscle weakness

Alcohol withdrawal

Brain damage

Closed angle glaucoma

Disease affecting the airways or lungs (respiratory disease)

Elderly people

Enlarged prostate gland

Epilepsy

Heart disease

Hypothyroidism

Individuals who are experiencing certain side effects which cause abnormal movements of the hands, legs, face, neck and tongue (extrapyramidal side effects)

Low blood potassium levels (hypokalaemia)

Parkinson's disease

Thyrotoxicosis

Not to be used in

Allergy to phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine and prochlorperazine

Breastfeeding

Children

Kidney failure

Liver failure

Pregnancy

Severe condition where the heart is unable to carry out its normal function (severe cardiac insufficiency)

Severe disorder of blood flow to the brain (severe cerebral insufficiency)

Tumour of the adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma)

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.

This medicine should not be used in pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

There is no information available about the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. For this reason, the manufacturer states that it should not be used during breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

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.

A drop in blood pressure that occurs when going from lying down to sitting or standing, which results in dizziness and lightheadedness (postural hypotension)

Impotence

Drowsiness

Blood disorders

Weight gain

Abnormal heart beats (arrhythmias)

Abnormal reaction of the skin to light, usually a rash (photosensitivity)

Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

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

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 temperature combined with falling levels of consciousness, paleness, sweating and a fast heart beat (neuroleptic malignant syndrome). Requires stopping the medicine and immediate medical treatment.

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.

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