thiothixene

thye-oh-THIX-een

Oral route(Capsule)

Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death compared to placebo. Although the causes of death in clinical trials were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (eg, heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (eg, pneumonia) in nature. Observational studies suggest that antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality. It is unclear from these studies to what extent the mortality findings may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to patient characteristics. Thiothixene hydrochloride is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis .

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Navane

Available Dosage Forms:

• Liquid


• Capsule


• Tablet


• Solution

Therapeutic Class: Antipsychotic

Chemical Class: Thioxanthene

Uses For thiothixene

Thiothixene is used to treat a mental condition called schizophrenia. thiothixene should not be used to treat behavioral problems in older adult patients who have dementia.

thiothixene is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using thiothixene

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For thiothixene, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to thiothixene or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

The use of thiothixene in children younger than 12 years of age is not recommended.

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of thiothixene in geriatric patients. However, thiothixene should not be used for behavioral problems in older adults with dementia.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking thiothixene, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using thiothixene with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Metoclopramide

Using thiothixene with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Hydromorphone


• Lithium


• Milnacipran


• Tramadol


• Zotepine

Using thiothixene with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Betel Nut

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of thiothixene. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Blood or bone marrow problems (e.g., agranulocytosis, leukopenia, neutropenia) or


• Central nervous system depression (severe drowsiness or loss of consciousness) or


• Circulatory collapse (shock-like state)—Should not be used in patients with these conditions.

• Breast cancer, prolactin-dependent or


• Eye or vision problems (e.g., pigmentary retinopathy, lenticular pigmentation) or


• Heart or blood vessel disease or


• Hyperprolactinemia (high prolactin in the blood) or


• Liver disease or


• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), history of or


• Seizures, history of—Use with caution. May make these conditions worse.

Proper Use of thiothixene

Take thiothixene exactly as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. To do so may increase the chance of side effects.

Dosing

The dose of thiothixene will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of thiothixene. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (capsules):
  
  • For schizophrenia:
    
    • Adults and teenagers 12 years of age and older—At first, 2 milligrams (mg) three times per day or 5 mg two times per day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 60 mg per day.
    
    
    • Children younger than 12 years of age—Use is not recommended.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of thiothixene, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using thiothixene

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that thiothixene is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects. You may also need to have your eyes tested on a regular basis while you are using thiothixene.

thiothixene may cause tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder). Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while using thiothixene: lip smacking or puckering, puffing of the cheeks, rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue, uncontrolled chewing movements, or uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs.

Stop using thiothixene and check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while using thiothixene: convulsions (seizures), difficulty with breathing, a fast heartbeat, a high fever, high or low blood pressure, increased sweating, loss of bladder control, severe muscle stiffness, unusually pale skin, or tiredness. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).

Thiothixine can temporarily lower the number of white blood cells in your blood, increasing the chance of getting an infection. If you can, avoid people with infections. Check with your doctor right away if you think you are getting an infection, or if you have a fever or chills, a cough or hoarseness, lower back or side pain, or painful or difficult urination.

thiothixene may cause dizziness, trouble with thinking, or trouble with controlling body movements. Make sure you know how you react to thiothixene before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that requires you to be alert, well-coordinated, or able to think well.

thiothixene will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for allergies or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicines, including narcotics; medicine for seizures (e.g., barbiturates); muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using thiothixene.

You might get overheated more easily while using thiothixene. Be aware of this if you are exercising or the weather is hot. Drinking water might help. If you get too hot and feel dizzy, weak, tired, confused, or sick to your stomach, try to cool down. Call your doctor if you are not able to cool your body and your symptoms continue.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

thiothixene Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

• Cough


• difficulty with swallowing


• dizziness


• fast heartbeat


• hives


• itching


• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue


• shortness of breath


• skin rash


• tightness in the chest


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• wheezing

Incidence not known

• Abdominal or stomach pain


• back, leg, or stomach pains


• bleeding gums


• bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet


• blood in the urine or stools


• bloody, black, or tarry stools


• blurred vision


• chest pain


• chills


• clay-colored stools


• confusion


• convulsions


• cough or hoarseness


• dark urine


• difficulty with breathing


• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position


• fainting


• fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse


• fever


• fever with or without chills


• general body swelling


• general feeling of tiredness or weakness


• headache


• high fever


• high or low blood pressure


• inability to move the eyes


• inability to sit still


• increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid


• increased sweating


• lightheadedness


• lip smacking or puckering


• loss of appetite


• loss of balance control


• loss of bladder control


• lower back or side pain


• mask-like face


• nausea or vomiting


• need to keep moving


• nosebleeds


• overactive reflexes


• painful or difficult urination


• pale skin


• pinpoint red spots on the skin


• puffing of the cheeks


• rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue


• rapid weight gain


• restlessness


• seizures


• severe muscle stiffness


• shuffling walk


• slowed movements


• slurred speech


• sore throat


• sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth


• sticking out of the tongue


• sweating


• swollen glands


• tic-like (jerky) movements of the head, face, mouth, and neck


• tingling of the hands or feet


• tiredness


• trembling and shaking of the fingers and hands


• trouble with breathing, speaking, or swallowing


• uncontrolled chewing movements


• uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs


• uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs


• unexplained bleeding or bruising


• unpleasant breath odor


• unusual bleeding or bruising


• unusual facial expressions


• unusual weight gain or loss


• unusually pale skin


• vomiting of blood


• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Symptoms of overdose

• Change in consciousness


• depression


• drowsiness


• loss of consciousness


• sudden jerky movements of the body

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Absent, missed, or irregular menstrual periods


• anxiety


• constipation


• decreased interest in sexual intercourse


• diarrhea


• dry mouth


• extreme thirst


• hives or welts


• hyperventilation


• inability to have or keep an erection


• increased appetite


• increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight


• increased sweating


• increased thirst


• increased weight


• irritability


• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance


• menstrual changes


• nervousness


• redness or other discoloration of the skin


• severe sunburn


• sleeplessness


• stopping of menstrual bleeding


• stuffy nose


• swelling of the breasts or unusual milk production


• trouble with sleeping


• unable to sleep


• watering of mouth

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: thiothixene side effects (in more detail)

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More thiothixene resources

• Thiothixene Side Effects (in more detail)
• Thiothixene Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Thiothixene Drug Interactions
• Thiothixene Support Group
• 3 Reviews for Thiothixene - Add your own review/rating

• thiothixene Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Thiothixene Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Thiothixene Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Thiothixene Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Thiothixene MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Navane Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare thiothixene with other medications

• Psychosis