What is this medication?

FLUPHENAZINE (floo FEN a zeen) treats schizophrenia. It works by balancing the level of dopamine in your brain, a substance that helps regulate mood, behavior, and thoughts. It belongs to a group of medications called antipsychotics. Antipsychotic medications can be used to treat several kinds of mental health conditions.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Prolixin

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Blockage in your bowel
• Brain tumor
• Dementia
• Diabetes
• Difficulty swallowing
• Glaucoma
• Have trouble controlling your muscles
• Head injury
• Heart disease
• History of irregular heartbeat
• If you often drink alcohol
• Liver disease
• Low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
• Low blood pressure
• Lung or breathing disease, like asthma
• Parkinson's disease
• Prostate disease
• Seizures
• Trouble passing urine
• An unusual or allergic reaction to fluphenazine, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Elixir or solution: Take this medication by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Shake gently before use. Use a specially marked dropper or spoon to measure your medication. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medication more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medication except on the advice of your care team.

Oral concentrated solution: Take this medication by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Shake gently before use. Use a specially marked dropper or spoon to measure your medication. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate. Measure the concentrated solution and dilute just before use in at least 2 ounces of milk, tomato or fruit juice, water, or soup. Do not mix with apple juice. Do not mix with caffeinated drinks (examples: coffee, tea, colas). Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medication more often than directed. Do not stop taking this medication except on the advice of your care team.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Cisapride
• Dronedarone
• Metoclopramide
• Pimozide
• Saquinavir
• Thioridazine

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Alcohol
• Antihistamines for allergy, cough, and cold
• Atropine
• Certain medications for anxiety or sleep
• Certain medications for bladder problems like oxybutynin, tolterodine
• Certain medications for depression like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline
• Certain medications for stomach problems like dicyclomine, hyoscyamine
• Certain medications for travel sickness like scopolamine
• Epinephrine
• General anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol
• Ipratropium
• Levodopa or other medications for Parkinson's disease
• Lithium
• Medications for blood pressure
• Medications for seizures like phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin
• Medications that relax muscles for surgery
• Narcotic medications for pain

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Do not stop taking except on your care team's advice. You may develop a severe reaction. Your care team will tell you how much medication to take.

You may get drowsy, dizzy, or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can increase possible dizziness or drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

This medication can cause problems with controlling your body temperature. It can lower the response of your body to cold temperatures. If possible, stay indoors during cold weather. If you must go outdoors, wear warm clothes. It can also lower the response of your body to heat. Do not overheat. Do not over-exercise. Stay out of the sun when possible. If you must be in the sun, wear cool clothing. Drink plenty of water. If you have trouble controlling your body temperature, call your care team right away.

This medication can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your care team if the problem does not go away or is severe.

This medication may increase blood sugar. Ask your care team if changes in diet or medications are needed if you have diabetes.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your care team that you are taking this medication.

Do not spill any of the solution on the skin, it can cause skin irritation.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Change in vision
• Infection—fever, chills, cough, or sore throat
• High fever, stiff muscles, increased sweating, fast or irregular heartbeat, and confusion, which may be signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• High prolactin level—unexpected breast tissue growth, discharge from the nipple, change in sex drive or performance, irregular menstrual cycle
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
• Uncontrolled and repetitive body movements, muscle stiffness or spasms, tremors or shaking, loss of balance or coordination, restlessness, shuffling walk, which may be signs of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Constipation
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Headache
• Nausea

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Do not freeze. Protect from light. Keep container tightly closed. Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.