Sometimes our mental functioning, the way we think, and our behavior patterns can change a little. Living with such mental health conditions is not easy. Schizophrenia is one such condition. So today we are going to talk about a very important medicine that can be used to control such conditions. That is Molindone.
Simply put, what is Molindone?
Molindone is a medication that belongs to the class of antipsychotics . It is used to treat conditions such as schizophrenia .
Our brains contain a chemical called dopamine. This is what controls many things, including our mood, behavior, and thoughts. In some mental health conditions, this dopamine level becomes unbalanced. So, this Molindone medication works by rebalancing that unbalanced dopamine level and helping to control your symptoms.
Things you should tell your doctor before starting this medication:
Before giving you Molindone, your doctor will want to know your complete health history. Because some medical conditions require special care when using this medicine. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor without hiding anything .
| Disease or condition | Reasons to inform the doctor |
|---|---|
| Dementia condition | The way this medication affects people with memory loss conditions may be different. |
| Diabetes | This can affect blood sugar levels. |
| Difficulty swallowing food | You should be careful when taking the medicine. |
| Heart disease | Heart rate or blood pressure may be affected. |
| Liver diseases | The drug may affect the process of elimination from the body. |
| Decreased blood cells (e.g., white blood cells, red blood cells) | This medication may affect blood counts. |
| Parkinson's disease | Symptoms may worsen. |
| Seizures | The risk of seizures may increase. |
| Frequent drinking of alcohol | The side effects of the medication (drowsiness) may increase. |
| If you are pregnant or expecting a baby | Talk to your doctor about the possible effects on the fetus. |
| If the baby is breastfed | It should be discussed whether the medication can pass to the baby through breast milk. |
| Allergy to other drugs, foods, dyes | To check for the possibility of an allergy to molindone. |
How exactly do you use this medicine?
This is very simple. Swallow this pill with a glass of water.The most important thing is to take the correct dose, at the correct time, exactly as your doctor prescribed. Do not increase or decrease the dose as you feel like, or take it sooner than the prescribed time.
It is very important that you do not stop taking the medication suddenly without your doctor's advice, just because you feel better. Doing so can cause serious reactions.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
Yes, it can happen. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose as usual . Never take a double dose.
What if I take too much medicine (overdose)?
If you think you have taken too much medicine, immediately contact the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital. Or, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Unit (ETU) immediately. This medicine has been prescribed for you only, do not share it with others.
Be careful with these things when taking medicine.
If you are taking Molindone, it may interact with other medications, such as alcohol. So tell your doctor about all medications, vitamins, and herbal remedies you are taking.
| Do not take Molindone with these. | |
|---|---|
| Metoclopramide | Taking this medicine with vomiting can cause serious side effects. |
| Be very careful when taking these with you. | |
| Alcohol | Excessively increases drowsiness and dizziness. |
| Medications for Parkinson's disease (e.g. Levodopa) | Both drugs may interfere with their effectiveness. |
| Some antidepressants | The risk of side effects may increase. |
| Phenytoin | This medicine used for seizures may affect its effectiveness. |
Other things to be careful about
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy and dizzy. Therefore, do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up suddenly, especially if you are elderly. Do these things slowly.
- Dry mouth: Dry mouth is common with this medication. This can be managed by chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on sugar-free candy, and drinking plenty of water throughout the day.
- Body temperature control: This medicine can change the way your body feels hot and cold. This means that you may feel cold more quickly on cold days. So dress well. Also, your body may heat up more quickly on hot days. So avoid excessive exercise and exposure to strong sunlight . Drink plenty of water.
What side effects should I be aware of?
Like any medicine, Molindone can cause side effects. Some of them should be reported to your doctor immediately. Some are not so serious.
| If you experience these symptoms, call your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome | High fever, muscle stiffness, excessive sweating, fast or irregular heartbeat, confusion. |
| EPS symptoms (Extrapyramidal Symptoms) | Uncontrolled movements of parts of the body or face, muscle stiffness, tremors, difficulty walking, restlessness. |
| High prolactin level | Breast development in men, nipple discharge, changes in sexual desire, and irregular menstrual cycles in women. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, blurred vision, fainting. |
| Other serious symptoms | Convulsions, difficulty urinating. |
| These are usually not serious, but if they persist, tell your doctor. | |
| Constipation | Drink plenty of water and eat foods with fiber (fruits, vegetables). |
| Drowsiness | This is most common during the early stages of taking the medication. |
| Dry mouth | Follow the remedies mentioned above. |
| Nausea | This can be reduced by taking the medicine with food. |
How do you keep your medicine safe?
Keep this medicine out of the reach of children . It is best to store it at room temperature (between 15-30 degrees Celsius). Do not keep expired medicines, throw them away.
Take-Home Message
- Molindone is an important medication used to control mental illnesses such as schizophrenia .
- Before starting this medication, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions and other medications you are taking.
- Take the dose prescribed by your doctor, at the right time. Never stop taking the medicine or change the dosage without advice.
- Be careful when performing tasks that require attention, such as driving, as drowsiness and dizziness may occur.
- If you experience severe side effects (high fever, muscle stiffness, uncontrollable movements), seek medical advice immediately.
- This is a medicine prescribed for you only. Never share it with others.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 💊 Is it a problem to take medications like Molindone while taking folic acid pills?
Actually, there is no big problem between these two medicines. Folic acid is a vitamin (Vitamin B9) that helps in the formation of blood in our body and the health of the nervous system. Molindone is a medicine for mental health. If you are taking both of these, it is best to inform your doctor and take them at the right time.
💬 🧠 Why is folic acid important for someone taking Molindone pills?
When treating mental illness, you should also consider your nutrition. When folic acid levels are low, conditions like depression can sometimes increase. So, if you eat nutritious food and get enough vitamins like folic acid while taking Molindone pills, it will be a great help to your mental health.
💬 🩺 What should you be careful about when taking folic acid and molindone together?
The main thing is to take both of these medications exactly as your doctor tells you, without taking them at random. Some people may experience stomach upset when taking Molindone tablets, and in such cases, you may need to adjust the timing of your folic acid tablets. So, don't forget to tell your doctor about any vitamins you are currently taking.
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