Details

Thioridazine is an antipsychotic medicine called a phenothiazine. Thioridazine is used to treat schizophrenia. Thioridazine is usually given after other antipsychotic medicines have been tried without success. You should not use thioridazine if you have a heart rhythm disorder, a history of Long QT syndrome, untreated or uncontrolled high blood pressure, very low blood pressure, or if you have drowsiness, slow breathing, weak pulse, or decreased alertness. Thioridazine can cause a life-threatening heart rhythm disorder, especially if you use certain other medicines at the same time. Many medicines should not be taken together with thioridazine because they may cause this heart rhythm disorder or other serious medical problems. To make sure thioridazine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, or a heart rhythm disorder a history of slow heartbeats that have caused you to faint past or present breast cancer liver or kidney disease a history of seizures Parkinson's disease enlarged prostate or urination problems low levels of potassium in your blood (hypokalemia) or if you have ever had a serious side effect while using thioridazine or another phenothiazine. Taking antipsychotic medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn.

Typical Uses

Thioridazine is used to treat certain mental/mood disorders (e.g., schizophrenia). This medication helps you to think more clearly, feel less nervous, and take part in everyday life. It can also help prevent suicide in people likely to harm themselves and reduce aggression and the desire to hurt others. It can help decrease your negative thoughts and hallucinations. Thioridazine belongs to a class of drugs known as phenothiazines. This drug may also be used for short periods of time to treat very severe depression when the patient is also anxious.

Side Effects

Common thioridazine side effects may include uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement) tremor (uncontrolled shaking), drooling, trouble swallowing, problems with balance or walking headache with chest pain and severe dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeats confusion, slurred speech seizure (convulsions) sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, swollen gums, painful mouth sores, pain when swallowing, skin sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough little or no urinating decreased night vision, tunnel vision, watery eyes, increased sensitivity to light or severe nervous system reaction-very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Drug Interactions

• Thioridazine+anagrelide- Using thioridazine together with anagrelide is not recommended. Combining these medications can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.
• Thioridazine+alfuzosin- Using thioridazine together with alfuzosin is not recommended. Combining these medications can increase the risk of an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening, although it is a relatively rare side effect. You may be more susceptible if you have a heart condition called congenital long QT syndrome, other cardiac diseases, conduction abnormalities, or electrolyte disturbances.
• Thioridazine+bupropion- Using thioridazine together with bupropion is not recommended. Combining these medications may increase the blood levels of thioridazine to dangerous levels and cause an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening.
• Thioridazine+duloxetine- Using thioridazine together with duloxetine is not recommended. Combining these medications may increase the blood levels of thioridazine to dangerous levels and cause an irregular heart rhythm that may be serious and potentially life-threatening.

Mechanism of action

Thioridazine belongs to a class of medication called as phenothiazine antipsychotics. It acts by decreasing the activity of certain chemicals (acetylcholine, dopamine, and serotonin) in the brain which are responsible for symptoms of schizophrenia, thereby reducing abnormal excitement in brain.