Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Flupentixol Decanoate.
Abnormal heart rhythms: Flupentixol Decanoate can cause abnormal heart rhythms. Certain medications (e.g., Sotalol, quinidine, thioridazine, Chlorpromazine, Pimozide, moxifloxacin, Mefloquine, pentamidine, arsenic trioxide, Tacrolimus) can increase the risk of a type of abnormal heart rhythm called QT prolongation, and should not be used in combination with flupenthixol. You are more at risk for this type of abnormal heart rhythm and its complications if you:
- are female
- are older than 65 years of age
- have a family history of sudden cardiac death
- have a history of heart disease or abnormal heart rhythms
- have a slow heart rate
- have congenital prolongation of the QT interval
- have Diabetes
- have had a stroke
- have low potassium, magnesium, or calcium levels
- have nutritional deficiencies
Blood counts: Flupentixol Decanoate can decrease the number of neutrophils (a type of white blood cell that helps fight infection), red blood cells (which carry oxygen), and platelets (which help your blood to clot). Your doctor will do blood tests to monitor this. If you notice any signs of infection (e.g., fever, chills, or sore throat) or unusual bleeding or bruising, contact your doctor immediately.
Blood sugar: Flupenthixol may cause an increase in blood sugar levels (may cause a loss of blood glucose control) and glucose tolerance may change. This may happen to people who have never had high blood glucose levels. People with diabetes may find it necessary to monitor their blood sugar more frequently while using Flupentixol Decanoate.
If you have diabetes or are at risk for developing diabetes, discuss with your doctor how Flupentixol Decanoate may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Flupentixol Decanoate, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Dementia: Adults with dementia appear to be at a greater risk of sudden death when they are taking flupenthixol. This appears to happen more often in seniors with dementia. If you have dementia, discuss with your doctor how Flupentixol Decanoate may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Flupentixol Decanoate, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: Flupentixol Decanoate may cause drowsiness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or perform other potentially hazardous tasks until you have determined how Flupentixol Decanoate affects you.
Glaucoma: Flupentixol Decanoate may make glaucoma worse. If you have glaucoma, discuss with your doctor how Flupentixol Decanoate may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Flupentixol Decanoate, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Liver function: Liver disease or reduced liver function may cause Flupentixol Decanoate to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have liver disease or decreased liver function, discuss with your doctor how Flupentixol Decanoate may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Flupentixol Decanoate, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Flupenthixol may also cause decreased liver function or make liver problems worse. If you experience symptoms of liver problems such as fatigue, feeling unwell, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes, dark urine, pale stools, abdominal pain or swelling, and itchy skin, contact your doctor immediately.
Movement disorders: The use of flupenthixol has been associated with a potentially irreversible movement disorder called tardive dyskinesia (TD). This syndrome involves the involuntary movements of facial muscles and the tongue. The risk of a person developing this syndrome is usually but not always linked to treatment duration and the total amount of antipsychotic medications taken.
If you develop signs and symptoms of TD during treatment with flupenthixol, including sticking the tongue out, smacking the lips, pursing or puckering of lips, and blinking eyes rapidly, contact your doctor as soon as possible.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS): Flupenthixol, like other antipsychotic medications, can cause a potentially fatal syndrome known as neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). If you notice the symptoms of NMS such as high fever; muscle stiffness; confusion or loss of consciousness; sweating, racing, or irregular heartbeat; or fainting, get immediate medical attention.
Parkinson's Disease: Flupentixol Decanoate may make symptoms of Parkinson's disease worse. If you have Parkinson's disease, discuss with your doctor how Flupentixol Decanoate may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Flupentixol Decanoate, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Prolonged erection (priapism): If an erection lasts longer than 4 hours (a rare occurrence), seek immediate medical assistance. If this condition is not treated quickly, tissue damage and permanent loss of the ability to have an erection could result.
Seizures: Flupenthixol may make pre-existing seizure disorders worse. If you have a seizure disorder, discuss with your doctor how Flupentixol Decanoate may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Flupentixol Decanoate, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Stopping the medication: If Flupentixol Decanoate needs to be stopped, it should be done gradually, under the supervision of your doctor. If you suddenly stop taking Flupentixol Decanoate, you may experience symptoms of withdrawal.
Take the medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor, and do not stop taking the medication without checking with your doctor first.
Pregnancy: Flupentixol Decanoate should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Flupentixol Decanoate, contact your doctor immediately. Newborn babies who have been exposed to Flupentixol Decanoate in the last 3 months of pregnancy have experienced withdrawal symptoms after birth.
Breast-feeding: Flupentixol Decanoate passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking flupenthixol, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Flupentixol Decanoate have not been established for children.
Seniors: Seniors are at an increased risk of experiencing severe side effects of flupenthixol due to decreased kidney, liver, and heart function. Discuss with your doctor how Flupentixol Decanoate may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Flupentixol Decanoate, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
