Zoleptil

How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient zotepine, which is a type of medicine known as an atypical antipsychotic. Zotepine works by blocking various receptors in the brain, particularly dopamine receptors. Dopamine is a natural compound called a neurotransmitter, which is involved in transmitting signals between brain cells. Psychotic illness is considered to be caused by overactivity of dopamine in the brain. Zotepine blocks the receptors that dopamine acts on, and this prevents the overactivity of dopamine in the brain. This helps to control psychotic illness. Zotepine is used to treat the psychotic condition schizophrenia. Schizophrenic patients may experience 'positive symptoms' (such as hallucinations, disturbances of thought, hostility) and/or 'negative symptoms' (such as lack of emotion and social isolation). Zotepine is effective in relieving both positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia, whereas the conventional antipsychotics are usually less effective against the negative symptoms. Zotepine is also used by specialists to treat episodes of mania in people with the psychiatric illness, bipolar affective disorder (manic depression), though this is an unlicensed use of the medicine.

What is it used for?

Schizophrenia

Treatment of acute manic episodes in bipolar affective disorder (unlicensed use)

Warning!

This medicine may rarely cause a decrease in the normal amounts of blood cells in the blood. For this reason you should consult your doctor immediately if you experience any of the following symptoms: unexplained bruising or bleeding, purple spots, sore throat, mouth ulcers, high temperature (fever), feeling tired or general illness. Your doctor may want to take a blood test to check your blood cells.

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.

Consult your doctor immediately if you experience abnormal movements, particularly of the face, lips, jaw and tongue, while taking this medicine. These symptoms may be indicative of a rare side effect known as tardive dyskinesia, and your doctor may ask you to stop taking this medicine, or decrease your dose.

Consult your doctor immediately if you experience the following symptoms while taking this medicine: high fever, sweating, muscle stiffness, faster breathing and drowsiness or sleepiness. These symptoms may be due to a rare side effect known as the neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and your treatment may need to be stopped.

This medicine is not recommended for children and adolescents under eighteen years of age.

This medicine can cause some people to put on weight. Talk to your doctor about this before you start treatment so that you can discuss strategies, such as diet and exercise, for minimising any weight gain.

This medicine can occasionally cause your blood pressure to drop when you move from a lying down or sitting position to sitting or standing, especially when you first start taking the medicine. This may make you feel dizzy or unsteady. To avoid this try getting up slowly. If you do feel dizzy, sit or lie down until the symptoms pass.

People with liver diseases should have their liver function monitored regularly while taking this medicine.

People at risk of developing abnormal heart beats (eg those with heart disease or taking certain medicines listed below) should have their heart monitored with an ECG, and a blood test to measure the level of electrolytes in the blood, before starting treatment with this medicine, in order to check that the medicine is safe for them to take. These tests should also be performed before any dose increases.

Use with caution in

Angina pectoris

Closed angle glaucoma

Coronary heart disease

Decreased kidney function

Decreased liver function

Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention)

Disease involving the heart and blood vessels

Elderly people

Enlarged prostate gland

Failure of function of part of the gut causing an obstruction (paralytic ileus)

History of gout

Low blood potassium levels (hypokalaemia)

Parkinson's disease

People taking medicines that can cause a low blood potassium level (hypokalaemia)

People taking medicines that can cause abnormal heart rhythms (prolonged QT interval on ECG)

Personal or family history of epilepsy

Severe heart failure

Tumour composed of nerve cells, most commonly originating in the adrenal gland (neuroblastoma)

Tumour of the adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma)

Very high blood pressure

Not to be used in

Acute gout

Breastfeeding

History of kidney stones

Intoxication with drugs (including alcohol) or medicines that reduce activity in the central nervous system, causing reduced awareness, slow reactions or drowsiness

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 during pregnancy has not been investigated. However, as it may be harmful to a developing foetus, women of child-bearing potential should use effective contraception while taking this medicine. The medicine should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits to the mother outweigh the potential risks to the foetus. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine may pass into breast milk, therefore mothers taking this medicine must not breastfeed. Discuss with your doctor.

Label warnings

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

Go To Next Page>>
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