Sometimes doctors prescribe various medications to help us manage some of the complex conditions that arise in our minds. You may have also been prescribed a medication called Thiothixene as a treatment for a condition like schizophrenia . So today, let's talk in a simple and friendly way about what this medication is, what it does, and what we need to know when using it.
What kind of medicine is Thiothixene?
Simply put, Thiothixene belongs to a class of medications used to treat mental illnesses. In medicine, we call these antipsychotics. This mainly works by balancing the levels of a chemical called dopamine in our brain.
Remember, dopamine is a neurotransmitter that helps control our mood, behavior, and thoughts. So this medication is mainly used to treat conditions like schizophrenia, which occur when its balance is disrupted. Sometimes your doctor may also prescribe this medication for other mental health conditions.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Okay, now before you start taking this medication, there are a few health conditions you should definitely tell your doctor about. It's very important to tell them about these, because that's how the doctor will determine the right dosage for you and be aware of the possible risks.
| Your condition or habit | Why should you inform? |
|---|---|
| Forgetfulness diseases such as dementia | This drug may increase the risk in such patients. |
| Diabetes | Because this medicine can affect blood sugar levels. |
| Difficulty swallowing | Medication can make this condition worse. |
| Heart disease | Because it can affect the rhythm of the heartbeat. |
| Liver diseases | The liver's ability to remove the drug from the body may be affected. |
| Decreased blood cells (e.g. white blood cells) | This medicine may affect blood cell counts. |
| Parkinson's disease | Symptoms may worsen. |
| Epilepsy / Seizures | May increase the risk of seizures . |
| The habit of drinking alcohol frequently | Taking this drug with alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness. |
| Allergies to other medications, foods, or dyes | To find out if you are also allergic to this medicine. |
| Being pregnant or trying to get pregnant/breastfeeding | To discuss with the doctor the possible effects on the child. |
How should I use the medicine?
This medicine should be taken by mouth with a glass of water. Use it exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you. Take the correct dose at the correct time. Never take more than the prescribed amount.
It is very important that you never stop taking this medicine suddenly without consulting your doctor. Doing so can cause serious side effects. If you do stop taking the medicine, you should do so by gradually reducing the dose. Your doctor will tell you exactly how to stop.
Overdose
If you think you have taken more than the prescribed dose of this medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
This medicine is for you only. Never share your medicine with others.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
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 two doses at once to make up for a forgotten dose.
Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)
When you take this medicine, there are other medicines and things you should be careful about and not take at the same time. It is very important to tell your doctor about all the medicines you are taking (including vitamins, herbal medicines, and supplements).
| Drug / substance category | Why should you care? |
|---|---|
| What should never be taken with this medicine? | |
| Metoclopramide | The risk of severe side effects is very high. |
| What to use with caution and what to inform the doctor about | |
| Alcohol | Excessively increases drowsiness and dizziness. |
| Medicines for allergies, coughs, and colds (Antihistamines) | It increases drowsiness and causes effects such as dry mouth. |
| Medication for anxiety or sleep | May cause excessive drowsiness. |
| Some medications for depression (e.g. amitriptyline, fluoxetine) | The risk of side effects may increase. |
| Medications for Parkinson's disease (e.g. Levodopa) | Both drugs may interfere with their effectiveness. |
| High blood pressure medications | Blood pressure can drop too low and cause dizziness. |
| Narcotic medications for pain | Difficulty breathing and excessive sleepiness may occur. |
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Medical checkups: Visit your doctor on scheduled dates to see if your symptoms are improving or worsening.
- Drowsiness: You may feel drowsy or dizzy. Therefore , do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you.
- Don't get up suddenly: Especially if you're older, don't get up suddenly from a sitting position or get out of bed. This will reduce the chance of dizziness and falling.
- Be careful with sunlight: This medication may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. So be careful with the sun as much as possible. If you go out, wear clothing that covers your skin and use sunscreen.
- Body temperature:Another effect of this drug is that it interferes with body temperature regulation. This means that your body may be less responsive to cold weather. It may also be less responsive to heat. So avoid excessive exercise and staying in hot places. Drink plenty of water.
- Dry mouth: Your mouth may feel dry. This can be controlled by chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on hard candy, and drinking plenty of water.
What side effects might I experience?
Like any medicine, Thiothixene can cause side effects in some people. Some of these are serious, while others are mild.
| Side effect | Symptoms you may see |
|---|---|
| Serious side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) | High fever, muscle stiffness, excessive sweating, rapid heartbeat, and confusion. |
| Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) | Uncontrollable body movements, muscle stiffness or twitching, tremors, restlessness, difficulty walking. |
| High Prolactin Levels | Breast discharge, breast enlargement, changes in sexual desire, irregular menstrual cycles. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, fainting, blurred vision. |
| Common side effects that should be reported to the doctor if they persist or are bothersome: | |
| Constipation | Difficulty going to the toilet. |
| Dizziness, drowsiness | This may occur until the body gets used to the medication. |
| Dry mouth | Decreased salivation. |
| Weight gain | It may be caused by increased appetite. |
Take-Home Message
- Thiothixene is a drug that treats mental illnesses such as schizophrenia .
- Never stop taking this medicine suddenly without your doctor's advice.
- Before starting the medication, inform your doctor about all medical conditions you have and all other medications you are taking.
- If you experience any serious side effects, such as muscle stiffness and uncontrollable body movements along with a high fever, seek medical advice immediately.
- Avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine. Avoid driving until you feel drowsy.
- If you take more than the prescribed amount of medicine, go to a hospital emergency room (ETU) immediately or contact the National Poisons Information Center.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 Thiothixene / Navane capsules are the last resort for which disease?
This is an extremely powerful drug from the older generation (Typical antipsychotic / Thioxanthene) developed to control the severe mental illness called 'Schizophrenia'! It is not used much these days and is only given to treatment-resistant patients whose delusions and violent behavior do not subside despite all other medications.
💬 How does this drug (Thiothixene) go to the brain and calm the patient down from their delusions?
One of the main reasons for the development of severe mental illnesses is the excessive increase in the chemical 'Dopamine' in the brain! This drug, once it enters the brain, blocks/closes the dopamine receptors (D2 receptors) very tightly. It eliminates the strange thoughts in the mind and the patient's impulsiveness is reduced and he becomes calmer.
💬 What are the most dangerous dangers (Black Box Warnings) of this drug (Thiothixene), which is similar to haloperidol?
The dangers are extremely serious! The biggest danger is 'Tardive Dyskinesia (EPS/Tardive Dyskinesia).' That means that when you drink this, your legs/hands may shake uncontrollably, your tongue may stick out, and you may squirm. The other most dangerous thing is a condition called Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)! It causes the patient's body to become 100% stiff like wood, develop a high fever, and can lead to kidney failure and death!
💬 අදහස් (0)
තවමත් කිසිදු අදහසක් පළ කර නොමැත. ඔබේ අදහස පළමු වරට මෙහි එක් කරන්න.
ඔබේ අදහස එක් කරන්න