Zuclopenthixol
Description
Zuclopenthixol is a medicine that is used to treat psychological disorders. It is used for the acute and long-term treatment of schizophrenia (a mental condition affecting your ability to think and behave). This medicine is also used in the treatment of psychoses (a serious medical condition in which you are unable to differentiate the reality and imagination). Zuclopenthixol works by blocking the action of dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain that affects thoughts and mood.
Zuclopenthixol may cause side effects like headache, constipation, dryness of mouth, blurred vision, weight gain, stomach pain, etc. Consult your doctor if these side effects persist or worsen. This medicine may also cause sleepiness and drowsiness. Hence, avoid driving vehicles or operating machines after receiving this medicine. Avoid using this medicine if you are allergic to it.
Zuclopenthixol is a prescription medicine given in the hospital setting. The dose of this medicine and the duration of the treatment will be decided by your doctor based on the severity of your health problem and other underlying conditions.
Zuclopenthixol is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age. Inform your doctor about other health issues such as liver, kidney, heart problems. Also, inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy, or are breastfeeding before taking Zuclopenthixol.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Zuclopenthixol
- Difficulty in breathing
- High fever
- Excessive sweating
- Fast heartbeat
- Twitching and unusual movement of muscles
- Yellowing of skin and eyes
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness
- Loss of coordination
- Headache
- Dryness of mouth
- Trouble concentrating
- Memory problems
- Fainting
- Blurred vision
- Breast enlargement in men
- Weight gain
- Constipation
Uses of Zuclopenthixol
What is it prescribed for?
- Schizophrenia
- Psychoses
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of Zuclopenthixol can be observed within 2-4 hours of intramuscular administration. The depot injection shows its initial effect within 3 days of intramuscular administration.
- Duration of effectZuclopenthixol may remain active for up to 2 to 3 days after intramuscular administration. The depot injections are usually effective for 2 to 4 weeks.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while receiving Zuclopenthixol as it may increase the risk of dizziness, sedation, etc.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Zuclopenthixol.
- Usage in pregnancy?Zuclopenthixol is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Zuclopenthixol is known to pass in breast milk and hence it is not recommended for use in breastfeeding. However, if you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid receiving Zuclopenthixol if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (of your face/tongue/throat), breathing difficulty, etc.
Pheochromocytoma
Pheochromocytoma is a rare, usually noncancerous (benign) tumour that develops in an adrenal gland. Zuclopenthixol is not recommended for use if you have pheochromocytoma as it may increase the risk of worsening your health condition.
Circulatory collapse
Zuclopenthixol is not recommended for use in circulatory collapse (a sudden failure of either cardiac or peripheral circulation) as it may increase the risk of worsening your health condition.
Diminished consciousness
Zuclopenthixol is not recommended for use if you have reduced consciousness that may be caused by various factors such as alcohol intoxication, opiate/barbiturate poisoning, etc., as it may increase the risk of worsening your health condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Zuclopenthixol is not recommended for use in pregnancy as it may harm your foetus. If you are pregnant, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Zuclopenthixol is known to pass in breast milk and hence it is not recommended for use in breastfeeding. However, if you are breastfeeding, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Other medicines
Zuclopenthixol may interact with many other medicines and cause severe side effects. Hence, inform your doctor about all your current medicines before beginning treatment with this medicine.
Use in the elderly
Zuclopenthixol should be used with caution in elderly people as the risk of serious side effects is high. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine or suggest an alternative based on the clinical condition.
Use in children
Zuclopenthixol is not recommended for use in children below 18 years of age as the safety and efficacy data of use are not clinically established.
Heart diseases
Zuclopenthixol should be used with caution if you have pre-existing heart conditions or if you have had a heart attack recently.
Kidney diseases
Zuclopenthixol should be used with caution if you have kidney problems due to the increased risk of severe side effects.
Driving or Operating machinery
Zuclopenthixol may cause blurred vision, dizziness or drowsiness. in some people. Hence, avoid driving vehicles or operating machines after receiving this medicine.
Missed Dose
Since Zuclopenthixol is usually administered by a qualified healthcare professional in a hospital setting, the likelihood of missing a dose is very low.
Overdose
Since Zuclopenthixol is administered in the hospital setting by a qualified healthcare professional, the likelihood of an overdose is very low. However, your doctor will take necessary measures if an overdose of this medicine is suspected.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while receiving Zuclopenthixol as it may increase the risk of dizziness, sedation, etc.
Interaction with Medicine
Amitriptyline
Hydrochlorothiazide
Formoterol
Phenobarbital
Hydralazine
Erythromycin
Warfarin
Disease interactions
Liver disease
Use Zuclopenthixol with caution if you have liver problems. Having liver problems may increase the accumulation of this medicine in your body which may damage your liver further. Your doctor may suggest tests to monitor your liver function while on treatment with this medicine.
Convulsions
Zuclopenthixol should be used with caution if you have any history of fits or have any condition that might cause fits like head injury, alcohol withdrawal, etc., as it may increase the risk of serious side effects.
Parkinson's disease
Parkinson’s disease is a neurological condition that affects your movements associated with tremors. Zuclopenthixol should be used with caution if you have any history of Parkinson’s disease due to the increased risk of severe side effects.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is a condition where the pressure in the eyeballs is abnormally high that can damage the optic nerve and lead to eventual loss of vision. Zuclopenthixol should be used with caution if you have glaucoma. Report any incidences of blurred vision, pain, dryness of the eyes, etc., to the doctor immediately.
Diabetes
Zuclopenthixol may increase blood glucose levels and worsen the symptoms of diabetes. Use it carefully if you have diabetes. Your doctor may monitor your blood sugar levels as needed while on treatment with this medicine.
Asthma/ COPD
Use Zuclopenthixol with caution if you have asthma/COPD (a lung disorder in which the airflow is blocked leading to breathing difficulty) due to the increased risk of severe side effects.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Zuclopenthixol is used as a long term treatment for schizophrenia.
Zuclopenthixol should be administered in the clinical/hospital setting under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. Do not self administer it.
Inform your doctor if you have a known allergy to Zuclopenthixol. Report all your current medicines as well as your medical conditions to the doctor before receiving this medicine.
Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning a pregnancy or are breastfeeding before receiving Zuclopenthixol as it may cause harm to the developing baby.
Avoid drinking alcohol, driving vehicles and operating machines while using Zuclopenthixol as it may cause blurred vision and drowsiness.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Zuclopenthixol works by blocking the action of dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain that affects thoughts and mood.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Antipsychotics
Schedule
Schedule H
[Internet]. Medicines.org.uk. 2018 [cited 4 September 2018]. Available from:
[Internet]. Lundbeck.com. 2018 [cited 4 September 2018]. Available from:
Zuclopenthixol [Internet]. Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2018 [cited 4 September 2018]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 8 Nov 2021
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