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Modecate

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Generic Name: Fluphenazine decanoate
Product Name: Modecate

Indication

Fluphenazine decanoate is an antipsychotic drug used to treat schizophrenia.

Action

Fluphenazine belongs to a group of medicines known as the phenothiazine antipsychotics. It acts by blocking a variety of receptors in the brain, particularly dopamine receptors. Dopamine is involved in transmitting signals between brain cells. When there is an excess amount of dopamine in the brain it causes over-stimulation of dopamine receptors. These receptors normally act to modify behaviour and over-stimulation may result in psychotic illness. Fluphenazine hydrochloride blocks these receptors and stops them becoming over-stimulated, thereby helping to control psychotic illness.

Dose advice

  • Fluphenazine decanoate is intended for long-term therapy (at least 3 months).
  • Fluphenazine decanoate must be given by intramuscular injection using a needle of at least 21 gauge.
  • The initial dose should be of 12.5 to 25mg. Onset of action is 24-72 hours, and a reduction in psychotic symptoms noticed within 48-96 hours.
  • Subsequent doses and intervals between injections are adjusted according to the patient’s response. When administered as maintenance therapy, a single injection should control symptoms for 4 to 6 weeks. Patients who are acutely agitated should be treated with a different medicine from the same class that acts rapidly, then when the acute symptoms have subsided they may then be switched to fluphenazine decanoate at a starting dose of 25mg, then the subsequent doses are adjusted according to response.If you are over 65 years of age, your doses may need to be lower than those described above.

Schedule

S4

Common side effects

  • Local tissue reactions at the site of injection
  • Constipation
  • Blurred vision
  • Dry mouth
  • A drop in blood pressure that occurs when going from lying down to sitting or standing, which results in dizziness and lightheadedness (postural hypotension)
  • Drowsiness
  • Difficulty in passing urine (urinary retention)
  • Abnormal movements of the hands, legs, face, neck and tongue, e.g. tremor, twitching, rigidity (extrapyramidal effects)
  • High blood prolactin (milk producing hormone) level (hyperprolactinaemia). Sometimes this can lead to symptoms such as breast enlargement, production of milk and stopping of menstrual periods.
  • Sexual problems

Uncommon side effects

  • Uncontrolled rolling of the eyes and neck (oculogyric crisis).
  • High temperature combined with falling levels of consciousness, paleness, sweating and a fast heart beat (neuroleptic malignant syndrome)
  • Blood disorders
  • Liver damage
  • Allergic reactions
  • Rhythmical involuntary movement of the tongue, face, mouth and jaw, which may sometimes be accompanied by involuntary movements of the arms and legs (Tardive Dyskinesia)

For further information talk to your doctor.


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Dates

Posted On: 22 July, 2003
Modified On: 1 January, 1970

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Created by: myVMC