Fenazine

Introduction
Fenazine is a prescription medicine used in the treatment of schizophrenia. It may also be used to treat depression and bipolar disorder. It alters the thoughts and elevates the mood, improving the person’s ability to think, feel and behave. Fenazine is given as an injection under the supervision of a healthcare professional and should not be self administered. Take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor and if you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. It is important that this medication is not stopped suddenly without talking to your doctor as it may worsen your symptoms. Some common side effects of this injection include dry mouth, abnormality of voluntary movements, urinary retention, constipation, and muscle rigidity. Initially, this medicine may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure when you change positions, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. It may also cause dizziness and sleepiness, do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. This medicine can lead to weight gain, have a healthy balanced diet and exercise regularly. You may also notice some injection site reactions such as pain, redness or swelling. However, these are temporary and usually resolve on their own in some time. Please consult your doctor in case these do not subside or bother you. Before taking it, inform your doctor if you are suffering from thyroid or kidney disease, epilepsy, Parkinson’s disease, glaucoma, or any heart disease. You should not take this medicine if you are under the influence of alcohol or any sleep-inducing, cough, and/ or allergy medication. This medicine can also lead to weight gain, eat a healthy balanced diet, avoid snacking with high-calorie food, and exercise regularly.

_
Uses of Fenazine
Schizophrenia
Side effects of Fenazine
Common
Abnormality of voluntary movements
Constipation
Dryness in mouth
Increased prolactin level in blood
Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)
Muscle stiffness
Orthostatic hypotension (sudden lowering of blood pressure on standing)
Sleepiness
Tremor
Urinary retention
Weight gain
How to use Fenazine
Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.
How Fenazine works
Fenazine is a typical antipsychotic. It works by blocking the action of dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain that affects thoughts and mood.
Quick Tips
It makes you feel sleepy. Do not drive or do anything requiring mental focus until you know how it affects you.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.
Brief Description
Indication
In the long-term management of psychotic disorders including, Schizophrenia, Mania, Organic brain syndrome
Adult Dose
Intramuscular Psychoses; Mania; Schizophrenia Adult: As decanoate: Initially, 12.5 mg adjusted according to response. Maintenance: 12.5-100 mg at intervals of 2-6 wk. For doses >50 mg, increments should be made slowly in steps of 12.5 mg. Elderly: 6.25 mg adjusted according to response. Hepatic impairment: Use with caution; monitor

_
Child Dose
Safety and efficacy not established
Renal Dose
Renal impairment: Use with caution; monitor
Contraindication
Fluphenazine Decanoate oily Injection is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity to the drug. Also contraindicated in comatose or severely depressed states, blood dyscrasias, liver disease, pregnancy (3rd trimester), lactation.
Mode of Action
Fluphenazine blocks postsynaptic dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the mesolimbic system and decreases the release of hypothalamic and hypophyseal hormones. It reduces aggressiveness with disappearance of hallucinations and delusions.
Precaution
Special precaution should be practiced in presence of convulsive disorders; hepatic, renal, cerebrovascular, respiratory and cardiovascular diseases. Also precaution should be observed in case of phenochromocytoma; bone marrow suppression; elderly or debilitated patients. Lactation: Drug enters breast milk; not recommended

_
Side Effect
Frequency Not Defined Confusion,Decreased gag reflex Extrapyramidal symptoms Akathisia,Dystonia,Dyskinesia,Muscle stiffness,Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS; infrequent but serious),Parkinsonism,Tardive dyskinesia Common Anticholinergic effects,Sedation,Weight gain,Erectile dysfunction,Oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea, Less common Orthostatic hypotension (after IM injection), tachycardia,Agitation, anxiety, cerebral edema, depression, dizziness, euphoria, headache, poikilothermia, restlessness, weakness,Anorexia, constipation, dyspepsia, ileus,Lens opacities (with prolonged use) Uncommon ECG changes,Photosensitivity,Pruritus,Diarrhea,Blood dyscrasia,Galactorrhea,Ejaculatory disorder Rare Seizure,Priapism,Cholestatic jaundice

_
Interaction
Reduces antihypertensive effects of guanethidine, methyldopa and clonidine. Lithium toxicity. Reduced bioavailability with antacids. Increased risk of arrhythmia when used with drugs that prolong QT interval. May cause electrolyte disturbance when used with diuretics. Potentially Fatal: Additive CNS depressant effects with alcohol, barbiturates, hypnotics, sedatives, opiates and antihistamines.

_