Pronunciation: floo-FEN-a-zeen
Generic Name: Fluphenazine
Brand Name: Generic only. No brands available.
Fluphenazine Elixir is an antipsychotic. It may increase the risk of death when used to treat mental problems caused by dementia in elderly patients. Most of the deaths were linked to heart problems or infection. Fluphenazine Elixir is not approved to treat mental problems caused by dementia. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
Fluphenazine Elixir is used for:
Treating certain mental or mood disorders (eg, schizophrenia). It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Fluphenazine Elixir is a phenothiazine. It is not known exactly how it works.
Do NOT use Fluphenazine Elixir if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Fluphenazine Elixir or to other phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine)
- you have certain types of brain damage, liver damage, severe drowsiness, or blood problems
- you have recently taken large amounts of alcohol or medicines that may cause drowsiness, such as barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital) or narcotic pain medicines (eg, codeine)
- you are taking astemizole, cabergoline, cisapride, metoclopramide, pergolide, terfenadine, or tramadol
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Fluphenazine Elixir:
Some medical conditions may interact with Fluphenazine Elixir. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have developed severe side effects (eg, blood problems, yellowing of the skin or eyes) while taking another phenothiazine (eg, thioridazine)
- if you have a history of heart problems (eg, angina, mitral valve problems), high or low blood pressure, blood problems (eg, anemia), bone marrow problems (eg, low white blood cell count), diabetes, liver problems (eg, cirrhosis), kidney problems, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), tardive dyskinesia (TD), an enlarged prostate gland, seizures, trouble urinating, mental or mood problems (eg, depression), or an adrenal gland tumor (eg, pheochromocytoma)
- if you have asthma, a lung infection, or other lung or breathing problems (eg, emphysema); or increased pressure in the eyes or glaucoma, or if you are at risk of glaucoma
- if you have Alzheimer disease, dementia, Parkinson disease, or Reye syndrome
- if you have had high blood prolactin levels or a history of certain types of cancer (eg, breast, pancreas, pituitary, brain), or if you are at risk of breast cancer
- if you are in poor health or are regularly exposed to extreme heat or certain insecticides (organophosphorus insecticides)
- if you have a history of alcohol abuse, drink alcohol, or are in alcohol withdrawal
- if you take any medicine that may increase the risk of a certain type of irregular heartbeat (prolonged QT interval). Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if any of your medicines may increase the risk of this type of irregular heartbeat
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Fluphenazine Elixir. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Many prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for allergies, blood clotting problems, cancer, infections, inflammation, aches and pains, heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, irregular heartbeat, mental or mood problems, nausea or vomiting, Parkinson disease, seizures, stomach or bowel problems, overactive bladder), multivitamin products, and herbal or dietary supplements (eg, herbal teas, coenzyme Q10, garlic, ginseng, gingko, St. John's wort) may interact with Fluphenazine Elixir. Ask your doctor if you are unsure if any of your medicines may interact with Fluphenazine Elixir
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Fluphenazine Elixir may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Fluphenazine Elixir:
Use Fluphenazine Elixir as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Fluphenazine Elixir by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
- Use a measuring device marked for medicine dosing. Ask your pharmacist for help if you are unsure of how to measure your dose.
- Do not suddenly stop taking Fluphenazine Elixir. You may have an increased risk of side effects. If you need to stop Fluphenazine Elixir, your doctor will gradually lower your dose.
- Continue to use Fluphenazine Elixir even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
- If you miss a dose of Fluphenazine Elixir, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Fluphenazine Elixir.
Important safety information:
- Fluphenazine Elixir may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Fluphenazine Elixir with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Fluphenazine Elixir may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.
- Do not drink alcohol while you are using Fluphenazine Elixir.
- Check with your doctor before you use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Fluphenazine Elixir; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
- Do not become overheated in hot weather or while you are being active; heatstroke may occur.
- Fluphenazine Elixir may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Fluphenazine Elixir. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
- Fluphenazine Elixir may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
- Some patients who take Fluphenazine Elixir may develop muscle movements that they cannot control. This is more likely to happen in elderly patients, especially women. The chance that this will happen or that it will become permanent is greater in those who take Fluphenazine Elixir in higher doses or for a long time. Muscle problems may also occur after short-term treatment with low doses. Tell your doctor at once if you have muscle problems with your arms; legs; or your tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (eg, tongue sticking out, puffing of cheeks, mouth puckering, chewing movements) while taking Fluphenazine Elixir.
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Fluphenazine Elixir. Symptoms may include fever; stiff muscles; confusion; abnormal thinking; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Fluphenazine Elixir before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Fluphenazine Elixir may increase the amount of a certain hormone (prolactin) in your blood. Symptoms may include enlarged breasts, missed menstrual period, decreased sexual ability, or nipple discharge. Contact your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms.
- Diabetes patients - Fluphenazine Elixir may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Fluphenazine Elixir may cause the results of some pregnancy tests to be wrong. Check with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your pregnancy test results.
- Fluphenazine Elixir may interfere with certain lab tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Fluphenazine Elixir.
- Lab tests, including liver and kidney function tests, complete blood cell counts, and eye exams, may be performed while you use Fluphenazine Elixir. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Fluphenazine Elixir with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially confusion; dizziness or light-headedness, especially upon standing; drowsiness; fainting; trouble urinating; uncontrolled muscle movements; and constipation.
- Fluphenazine Elixir should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Fluphenazine Elixir while pregnant. Using Fluphenazine Elixir during the third trimester may result in uncontrolled muscle movements or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor. Fluphenazine Elixir is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Fluphenazine Elixir.
If you suddenly stop taking Fluphenazine Elixir, you may experience WITHDRAWAL symptoms, including nausea, vomiting, dizziness, stomach upset, and tremors.
Possible side effects of Fluphenazine Elixir:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Agitation; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; enlarged pupils; headache; jitteriness; loss of appetite; nausea; stuffy nose.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest or throat; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness; wheezing); chest pain; confusion; decreased coordination; drooling; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; mask-like face; muscle spasms of the face, neck, or back; muscle weakness; new or worsening mental or mood problems; numbness of an arm or leg; prolonged or painful erection; restlessness; seizures; severe or persistent constipation; severe or persistent dizziness, drowsiness, or headache; shuffling walk; sleeplessness; stiff or rigid muscles; sudden shortness of breath or vomiting; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; symptoms of infection (eg, fever, chills, persistent sore throat); symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark urine; pale stools; severe or persistent nausea, stomach pain, or loss of appetite); tremors; trouble urinating; twisting or twitching movements; uncontrolled muscle movements (eg, twitching of the face or tongue; loss of balance; uncontrolled movements of arms or legs; trouble speaking, breathing, or swallowing); unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual eye movements or inability to move eyes; unusual or excessive sweating; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusually pale skin; vision changes (eg, blurred vision).
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Fluphenazine side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include agitation; coma; confusion; difficulty breathing; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; loss of consciousness; muscle spasms or uncontrolled muscle movements; restlessness; seizures; severe constipation or stomach pain; severe drowsiness or dizziness; tremors; or trouble urinating.
Proper storage of Fluphenazine Elixir:
Store Fluphenazine Elixir at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Avoid freezing. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Fluphenazine Elixir out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Fluphenazine Elixir, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Fluphenazine Elixir is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Fluphenazine Elixir. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Fluphenazine resources
- Fluphenazine Side Effects (in more detail)
- Fluphenazine Dosage
- Fluphenazine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Fluphenazine Drug Interactions
- Fluphenazine Support Group
- 2 Reviews for Fluphenazine - Add your own review/rating
Compare Fluphenazine with other medications
- Psychosis
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