Have you or someone in your family been prescribed an injection called Fluphenazine Depot by your doctor? When that happens, it's normal for questions to come to mind about this medication. "What is this for?", "What will happen to it?", "What are the precautions?" You may be wondering. Don't worry, today we'll talk about all of this very simply, in a way that you can understand.
What exactly is Fluphenazine?
Simply put, fluphenazine is a medication used to treat mental illnesses such as schizophrenia . It belongs to a class of drugs called antipsychotics, or antipsychotics .
There are chemicals in our brains that help control our mood, behavior, and thoughts. Dopamine is one such key chemical. In some mental illnesses, this dopamine level becomes unbalanced. So this fluphenazine drug works by bringing that unbalanced dopamine level back to a balanced level.
This is given as a "depot" injection, meaning that once injected, the medication is slowly released into the body over a period of days, sometimes weeks. This is therefore very useful for those who forget to take their daily pills.
Things you should tell your doctor before taking medication
Before you start taking this medicine, it is very important to tell your doctor about your complete health history. This is because people with certain medical conditions need to be very careful when taking this medicine. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the conditions listed below.
| Disease or condition | A simple explanation |
|---|---|
| Heart disease or irregular heartbeat | If you have had previous heart attacks, chest pains, or changes in your heartbeat. |
| Liver disease | If you have had liver diseases such as jaundice (yellow fever) in the past. |
| Diabetes | If you are diabetic or someone in your family is. |
| Epilepsy / Seizures | If you have had a seizure before. |
| Parkinson's disease | Symptoms such as trembling of the limbs and difficulty walking. |
| Dementia disease | Memory impairment diseases, especially in older people. |
| Low blood pressure | If you experience frequent dizziness or fainting. |
| Alcohol drinking habit | If you are a frequent drinker. |
| If you are pregnant or expecting a baby | Pregnant mothers and nursing mothers. |
| Other allergies | If you are allergic to this medicine or any other medicine or food. |
How do you take this injection?
This is not a medicine you can give yourself at home. This injection is given by a doctor or a trained nurse in a hospital or clinic . It is usually given into a muscle.
Important: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Never share your medicine with anyone else.
What if the dosage of the medicine is increased (overdose)?
This is a hospital-based medication, so the chances of this happening are low. However, if you suspect that you have overdosed, immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Other medications that should not be used with this medicine and may interact with it
If you are taking medication for other conditions, you should also tell your doctor about it. Some medications can interact with fluphenazine. This may change the way the medication works or increase side effects.
| Do not take these with fluphenazine. | |
|---|---|
| Cisapride | Metoclopramide |
| Dronedarone | Pimozide, Thioridazine |
| Tell your doctor if you are taking these. | |
| Alcohol | Medicines that make you sleepy (sleeping pills) |
| Allergy medications (Antihistamines) | Some medications for depression (e.g. Amitriptyline) |
| Blood pressure medication | Medications for Parkinson's disease (e.g. Levodopa) |
| Painkillers (especially morphine) | Anesthetics during surgery |
This list is not complete. It is best to tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and traditional medicines you are taking.
Things to keep in mind while taking the medicine
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. So, until you know how this medicine affects you , don't drive or operate machinery. Be careful when getting up from a sitting or standing position suddenly. This can reduce the chance of dizziness and falling.
- Alcohol: Drinking alcohol can change the effects of this medication. Therefore, avoid drinking alcohol completely while taking this medication.
- Sun sensitivity: This medication may make your skin a little more sensitive to the sun. So avoid going out in the sun as much as possible. If you do go out, wear sun-protective clothing, sunglasses, and use sunscreen.
- Body temperature control: This medication may slightly affect the body's ability to regulate temperature. Be careful of both extreme cold and extreme heat. Drink plenty of water.
- Dry mouth: You may experience a dry mouth. Chewing sugarless gum, sucking on a candy bar, and drinking water frequently can help. If this problem persists, talk to your doctor.
- Blood sugar levels: This medication may increase blood sugar levels in diabetics. Therefore, it is important to check blood sugar levels regularly.
Let's learn about side effects.
Like any medicine, fluphenazine can cause side effects. However, not everyone gets them. Some are minor and go away in a few days. But some can be serious.
| If you experience these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Serious allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, difficulty breathing. |
| Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) | High fever, muscle stiffness, excessive sweating, rapid heartbeat, and confusion (this is a very serious condition). |
| Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) | Uncontrollable movements of body parts (face, arms, legs), muscle twitching, tremors, difficulty walking, restlessness. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Pain in the right upper abdomen, loss of appetite, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark brown urine. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat. |
| Things that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Drowsiness | Constipation |
| Dry mouth | Headache |
Remember, your doctor is constantly monitoring your condition. If your symptoms do not improve or worsen, tell your doctor.
Take-Home Message
- Fluphenazine depot injection is a long - acting medication used to treat mental illnesses such as schizophrenia.
- Before starting this medication, it is imperative that you tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and all other medications you are taking.
- Be very careful when performing tasks that require alertness (such as driving) as drowsiness and dizziness may occur while taking the medication. Avoid alcohol completely.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as muscle stiffness, high fever, or uncontrollable body movements, seek medical advice immediately .
- If you have any questions or concerns about this medication, don't hesitate to ask your doctor.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 💉 What is a depot injection?
A depot injection is simply a medication that stays in the body for a longer period of time. This is very convenient for those who usually forget to take their pills every day or for those who don't like taking pills. When this injection is given once a month or every two weeks, the medication is gradually absorbed into the body and the disease is controlled.
💬 🤔 Why is the doctor prescribing me Fluphenazine depot?
This injection is mainly given to control long-term mental illnesses like schizophrenia. This medicine helps a lot in keeping the symptoms from coming back and reducing the need for hospitalization. You have been prescribed this to maintain your mental well-being.
💬 🏥 Are there any side effects from taking this injection?
Yes, like any medicine, this one can have minor side effects. Some people may experience muscle stiffness and hand tremors. But there is no need to worry about that, there are separate medications for that too. The most important thing is to talk to your doctor if you feel any discomfort.
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