Yashoda Hospitals > Medicine FAQS > Fluphenazine

Fluphenazine: Frequently Asked Questions Answered

What Is Fluphenazine?

Fluphenazine is a typical antipsychotic of the phenothiazine group. Its uses involve the treatment of schizophrenia and mental health conditions such as anxiety and tension. It works by blocking dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain that affects thoughts and mood. When taken with proper dose and precautions, the drug poses no danger of causing addictive symptoms or severe side effects.

What Are the Uses of Fluphenazine?

Fluphenazine has therapeutic uses at all levels of the CNS as well as on multiple organ systems. Fluphenazine is primarily effective in reducing hostility, anxiety, agitation, hyperactivity, and confusion signs. Does not usually have any side effect on mood or normal feelings and emotions. It is used to treat the following conditions:

  • Psychotic disorders like schizophrenia 
  • Behavioral disorders in adults
  • Cures hallucinations, delusions, and incoherent speech. 
  • Relieves symptoms of Tourette’s syndrome.

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    What Are the Side Effects of Fluphenazine?

    The nature, frequency, and mechanism of the side effects of fluphenazine vary with respect to the doses, while others entail individual patient sensitivity. Common side effects of fluphenazine include:

    • Nervine: Dry mouth, fainting, photophobia, blurred vision, tremor, salivation, perspiration, headache, and sleepiness.
    • Gastrointestinal: Anorexia, increased appetite, nausea, vomiting, constipation, and salivation
    • Endocrine: Increased prolactin levels, altered libido, menstrual irregularities, and weight gain.
    • Skin: Itching rashes, hypertrophic papillae of the tongue, and contact dermatitis.
    • Respiratory: Nasal congestion, asthma
    • Cardiovascular: Fluctuation in BP, tachycardia
    • Urinary disturbances: Retention and incontinence 
    • Others: Jaundice, hives, and severe skin reactions

    This is not a definitive list of probable adverse effects; many more may eventually emerge in the future. Pay strict attention to doses and precautions to avoid negative side effects. Please get in touch with our medical specialists at Yashoda Hospitals if you experience any of these symptoms.

    What is Fluphenazine

    Uses of Fluphenazine

    Side effects of Fluphenazine

    References

    1. https://www.rxlist.com/prolixin-drug.htm
    2. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/nursing-and-health-professions/fluphenazine
    3. https://dailymed.nlm.nih.gov/dailymed/getFile.cfm?setid=6cd6ba35-3481-48c1-87db-dc74ce9d7d75&type=pdf&name=6cd6ba35-3481-48c1-87db-dc74ce9d7d75
    4. Singh H, Levinson DF, Simpson GM, Lo ES, Friedman E. Acute dystonia during fixed-dose neuroleptic treatment. J Clin Psychopharmacol. 1990 Dec;10(6):389-96. doi: 10.1097/00004714-199010060-00002. PMID: 2286708.
    5. https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00325481.1961.11692439#:~:text=Clinical%20studies%20indicate%20that%20fluphenazine,inci%2D%20dence%20of%20side%20effects.
    6. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/10548138/
    7. https://www.drugs.com/mtm/fluphenazine.html

    Disclaimer: The information provided herein is accurate, updated and complete as per the best practices of the Company. Please note that this information should not be treated as a replacement for physical medical consultation or advice. We do not guarantee the accuracy and the completeness of the information so provided. The absence of any information and/or warning to any drug shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance of the Company. We do not take any responsibility for the consequences arising out of the aforementioned information and strongly recommend you for a physical consultation in case of any queries or doubts.

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    Frequently Asked Questions about Fluphenazine

    Fluphenazine works by changing the effects of chemicals in the brain subjected to prescription-based dispensing regulations. The drug doesn’t have addictive properties, and it is not categorized as a controlled substance like other psychotic drugs under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

    Fluphenazine, a dopamine antagonist, acts in the following ways to cause dystonia, involuntary muscle contractions, resulting in repeated or twisting motions, cramping, or abnormal posture.
    • Blocks postsynaptic dopamine receptors, causing higher levels of dopamine, leading to auto-resistance in the body.
    • Over-stimulates the brain with a higher level of Glutamate, causing the over-excitement of muscles.

    Fluphenazine belongs to a class of long-acting 1st generation antipsychotics. It is an antipsychotic and a phenothiazine derivative. A neuroleptic drug that belongs to the phenothiazines class of medicines, it functions by changing the brain's normal chemical balance (neurotransmitters).

    Fluphenazine is an antipsychotic drug that is still being used in the treatment of schizophrenia. It is produced by the pharmaceutical company Pfizer, available in the form of tablets. This medication may be available under multiple trade names Prolixin and Thorazine, among others.

    The peak plasma concentrations of fluphenazine are observed in 1.5-2 hours post-intravenous administration and persist for 1-2 days after the dose administration. Fluphenazine has a half-life of about 100 hours. So, it will take approximately four days for fluphenazine to get wholly washed out from your system.

    Fluphenazine is an antipsychotic medication used to treat psychotic disorders like schizophrenia. Being a potent psycho-pharmacologic agent, its uses are aligned in managing the manifestations of anxiety states and other psychoneuroses when taken under standard prescribed doses and following all precautions with diet.

    Patients gain weight when using a conventional antipsychotic like fluphenazine, regardless of age, gender, or race. This medication alters how your brain and hormones manage your appetite, causing patients to feel hungry, eat more food, and consume more calories.

    Fluphenazine belongs to the class of medications known as typical antipsychotics and works by changing the actions of chemicals in your brain. It, thus, helps you to sleep and improves your mood and thinking. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

    Fluphenazine is an antidopaminergic with sleep-inducing sedative effects. Fluphenazine causes insomnia as a side effect only in a few people. So, if you find insomnia as a side effect of fluphenazine, you should contact your doctor and discuss how to manage insomnia without harming your health further.

    Yes, fluphenazine is a drug that can cause depression. Fluphenazine works by weakening the effect of dopamine, which is a chemical released by nerve cells in the brain and spinal cord, responsible for emotional response and initiating other brain functions. Improper dose of fluphenazine leads to depressive states in some patients. Consult your doctor right away if you notice such symptoms.