Indications:

All types of acute and chronic schizophrenia, including those which did not respond to the usual neuroleptics; manic syndromes.

Contraindications:

Comatose or depressive states including those induced by CNS depressants; Parkinson’s disease; blood dyscrasias; in patients with spastic diseases and in senile patients with pre-existing Parkinson-like symptoms; in children under 3 years of age and in patients generally sensitive to phenothiazines. .

Adverse reactions:

Drowsiness, sedation, dry mouth, nasal congestion, blurring of vision, tremor, mydriasis, constipation, urinary retention, tachycardia, postural hypotension, sexual dysfunction, pigmentary retinopathy (high doses and prolonged therapy), contact dermatitis, tardive dyskinesias. Potentially Fatal: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Sudden deaths due to cardiac arrhythmias and arrest.

Interactions:

Potentiates adverse effects of anticholinergics. Concurrent use of TCAs leads to raised blood levels of both drugs. May antagonise effects of levodopa, bromocriptine and other dopamine agonists. Avoid co-admin with drugs that cause electrolyte imbalance. Monitor phenytoin therapy due to inconsistent effects of thioridazine on phenytoin levels. Potentially Fatal: Increased risk of QT prolongation with class IA and class II antiarrhythmics, astemizole, cisapride, pimozide, droperidol, erythromycin IV, sparfloxacin, terfenadine, clarithromycin and other drugs that may prolong QT interval. Potentiates CNS depression with opioids. Increased risk of arrhythmias with ephedrine-like drugs e.g. phenylpropanolamine. Increased thioridazone levels with fluovoxamine, pindolol, propranolol, ritonavir and other CYP2D6 isoenzymes inhibitors (e.g. fluoxetine, paroxetine).

Warnings:

Pregnancy, lactation; renal or hepatic impairment, epilepsy. Perform ECG screening and electrolyte measurement before therapy, after each dose increase and at 6-mthly intervals. Monitor for visual defects on long-term therapy. May impair ability to perform skilled tasks. Withdrawal of drug to be carried out gradually over 1-2 wk.

Form:

SOLUTION FOR INJECTION