Has your doctor prescribed you or someone close to you the medicine Thioridazine? If so, let's talk briefly about this medicine, what it does, and what you should be careful about when using it. After reading this, you will have a better understanding of this medicine.
Simply put, Thioridazine is a medication used to treat mental illnesses such as schizophrenia . Doctors usually prescribe it when other medications have failed or are too difficult to tolerate. It belongs to a class of medications called antipsychotics. It works by balancing the levels of dopamine, a chemical in our brain that helps regulate our mood.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
Before you start taking this medicine, you should definitely inform your doctor if you have any of the following medical conditions or problems. This information is very important in determining the right treatment.
| Situation/Problem | Description |
|---|---|
| Brain and nervous system | Brain tumor, dementia, head injury, seizures, Parkinson's disease, muscle control problems. |
| Heart and blood | Heart disease, irregular heartbeat, low blood pressure, decreased blood cells (white, red, platelets). |
| Other medical conditions | Diabetes, liver disease, glaucoma, prostate disease, lung or respiratory disease (e.g. asthma), intestinal obstruction, difficulty swallowing, difficulty urinating. |
| Lifestyle and allergies | If you drink alcohol frequently, are pregnant or trying to become pregnant, are a breastfeeding mother, or have had an allergic reaction to Thioridazine or other medicines, foods, or dyes. |
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine should be taken by mouth with a glass of water. Take the prescribed dose, at the prescribed time, as directed by your doctor or the package insert. Do not take more than the prescribed amount for any reason.
The most important thing is that you do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice. Doing so can cause a serious reaction. If you do stop taking the medicine, your doctor will explain how to do it.
Special care is needed when giving this medicine to children, so talk to your doctor about it.
What if I take too much medicine? (Overdose)
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Or go to the Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) of the nearest hospital.
Please note: This medicine has been prescribed for you only. Do not share it with others.
What to do if you miss a dose of medicine?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
Thioridazine can interact with other medications, so it's important to tell your doctor about all the medications you're taking, including vitamins and herbal products.
| Medications that should never be taken with Thioridazine | |
|---|---|
| Some medications used to treat heart rhythm disorders (such as Amiodarone, Quinidine) | Cisapride, Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Pimozide |
| Propranolol, Pindolol, Saquinavir | Other medications that prolong the QT interval |
| Other things that can cause problems with Thioridazine | |
| Alcohol | Allergy and cough medicines (Antihistamines) |
| Medication for anxiety or sleep | Some medications for depression |
| Blood pressure medication | Antiepileptic drugs (such as Phenobarbital) |
| Narcotics | Medicines given to induce unconsciousness during surgery |
This list is not complete. So tell your doctor about all the medications, herbal products, and vitamins you are taking. Also tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.
Things to keep in mind while taking the medicine
- Medical check-ups: Visit your doctor on scheduled days to check your condition. Tell him/her if your symptoms persist or worsen.
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medicine may make you feel drowsy, dizzy, or have blurred vision. Therefore, avoid dangerous activities such as driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Dizziness may occur when you stand up suddenly or get up from a sitting position. Therefore, change positions slowly. Avoid drinking alcohol as this condition can be made worse.
- Body temperature: This medicine can affect the way your body controls its temperature. You may feel less cold in cold weather, and your body may heat up more quickly in hot weather. Therefore, dress warmly on cold days. On hot days, be careful of the sun, wear light clothes, and drink plenty of water.
- Sunlight:This medication may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Therefore, if you are going to be in the sun, wear clothing that covers your skin and use sunscreen.
- Dry mouth: A dry mouth may occur. This can be controlled by chewing sugar-free gum and drinking water.
- Diabetes: If you have diabetes, this medicine may increase your blood sugar levels. So ask your doctor if you need to make any changes to your diet or medication.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, Thioridazine can cause side effects. Some are serious, while others are common.
| Serious side effects that should be reported to the doctor immediately | |
|---|---|
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Changes in heart rate | Fast or irregular heartbeat, dizziness, chest pain, difficulty breathing. |
| Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome | High fever, muscle stiffness, excessive sweating, and confusion. |
| Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) | Uncontrolled movements of body parts, tremors, muscle stiffness, restlessness, difficulty walking. |
| Other serious symptoms | Changes in vision, signs of infection (fever, cough, sore throat), dizziness due to low blood pressure, seizures. |
| Side effects that are usually not serious (but should be reported to the doctor if they persist) | |
| Constipation | Dizziness |
| Drowsiness | Dry mouth |
| Weight gain | |
How should you store the medicine?
Keep medicines out of the reach of children and pets . Store at room temperature (below 30 degrees Celsius), with the lid tightly closed. Do not use expired medicines and dispose of them properly.
Take-Home Message
- Never stop taking Thioridazine tablets or change the dosage without your doctor's advice.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications, vitamins, herbal products you are taking, and any medical conditions you have.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as high fever, muscle stiffness, or changes in heart rate, seek medical advice immediately.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medication. Be extra careful when performing tasks that require alertness, such as driving.
- If you take too much medicine, call the National Poisons Information Centre immediately or go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU).
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 What are Thioridazine (Thioridazine / Mellaril) tablets used for?
This is an old-generation (Typical antipsychotic / Phenothiazine) drug used to treat the severe mental illness called 'Schizophrenia'! This is not given to everyone these days, it is usually used only for the most difficult patients (Treatment-resistant) who do not seem to be able to hear strange voices or struggle/scream despite being given all other drugs (at least 2 drugs).
💬 Why is this drug (Thioridazine) used as a 'last resort' these days?
The main reason for this is the most dangerous side effect of this drug! (Black Box Warning). This can severely alter the patient's heart's electrical signals (QT prolongation / Arrhythmia / Torsades de pointes), causing a sudden rapid heartbeat/cardiac arrest and a fatal heart attack. Therefore, those taking this drug should definitely have ECG tests and blood potassium levels checked regularly.
💬 Besides the heart, what other and dangerous side effects can these pills (Thioridazine) cause?
This can cause serious and permanent damage to the eyes. If the dose is increased, pigmentary retinopathy can develop in the black eye and the back of the retina, leading to blindness and loss of vision. There is also a high risk of retrograde ejaculation, restless sleep, and uncontrollable body/tongue twitching (Tardive Dyskinesia).
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