Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - PMS-Fluphenazine Decanoate
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE belongs to a group of
medicines called antipsychotic drugs (medications used to treat mental illnesses associated with psychosis).
pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE is used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia, which may include hallucinations (hearing and seeing things that are not there), delusions (false beliefs based on an incorrect interpretation of reality), unusual suspiciousness, emotional withdrawal. Patients suffering from schizophrenia may also feel depressed, anxious or tense.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE has been prescribed to you.
What it does:
Antipsychotic medications affect the chemicals that allow communication between nerve cells (neurotransmitters). These chemicals are called dopamine and serotonin. Exactly how pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE works is unknown. However, it seems to readjust the balance of dopamine and serotonin. pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE usually begins to work within 1 to 3 days after injection, with a full effect on symptoms usually occurring within 2 to 4 days.
When it should not be used:
Do not use pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE if you:
- are allergic to fluphenazine decanoate, to phenothiazines (a type of antipsychotic) or to any of the ingredients in the product (see the section “What the non-medicinal ingredients are”). Signs of allergic reaction may include a rash, itching, shortness of breath or swelling of the face, lips or tongue.
have a tumour on the adrenal gland called a
‘pheochromocytoma’
- have severe heart problems
- have severe liver or kidney problems
take large quantities of alcohol or take medicines such as
barbiturates, narcotics or hypnotics
- have a blood disorder
- have brain damage
pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE is not for use in children under the age of 18.
What the medicinal ingredient is:
fluphenazine decanoate
What the nonmedicinal ingredients are:
The solution contains sesame oil. Benzyl alcohol is added as a preservative.
What dosage forms it comes in:
pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE is for injection only into the muscle or under the skin. One ampoule of pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE contains 25 mg/mL or 100 mg/mL fluphenazine decanoate.
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Serious Warnings and Precautions
| Studies with various medicines of the group to which pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE belongs, when used in the elderly patients with dementia, have been associated with an increased rate of death. pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE is not indicated in elderly patients with dementia. |
Before using pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you:
- are taking any other medicines (prescriptions or over the counter medicines or natural products)
- suffer from or have a history of heart or blood vessel diseases
- have a history of strokes or mini-strokes (transient ischemic attacks)
- have abnormal blood pressure, slow heart beat
- are an elderly patient suffering from dementia (loss of memory and other mental abilities due to Alzheimer disease or other conditions)
- have risk factors for developing blood clots such as: a family history of blood clots, age over 65, smoking, obesity, recent major surgery (such as hip or knee replacement), immobility due to air travel or other reason, or take oral contraceptives (“The Pill”).
- have or develop involuntary, irregular muscle movements, especially in the face
are pregnant, think you are pregnant, or plan to become pregnant. You should not take pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE unless you have discussed this with your doctor
- are breast-feeding or plan to breastfeed
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ
- have ever had blackouts or seizures
- have or have ever had breast cancer
- have or have ever had adrenal tumors
- drink alcoholic beverages or use recreational drugs
- have ever abused drugs
- are exposed to extreme heat
- plan to have surgery or a procedure requiring anesthetics
Effects on Newborns:
In some cases, babies born to a mother taking fluphenazine during pregnancy have experienced symptoms that are severe and require the newborns to be hospitalized. Sometimes, the symptoms may resolve on their own. Be prepared to seek
immediate emergency medical attention for your newborn if they have difficulty breathing, are overly sleepy, have muscle stiffness, or floppy muscles (like a rag doll), are shaking, or are having difficulty feeding.
During the first few days of treatment, pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE may cause some people to become drowsy or less alert. You should not drive a car, operate machinery or participate in activities requiring alertness until you are sure pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE does not affect you.
pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE may also interfere with the ability of the body to adjust to temperature extremes, possibly resulting in hyperthermia or hypothermia. (increase or decrease below normal levels of body temperature) symptoms include: muscle stiffness, confusion, fast or irregular pulse or blood pressure, and sweating.
Avoid being exposed to heat, and tell your doctor if you may be exposed to heat.
Occasional blood tests to check your liver function should be done while you are taking pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE. Kidney function tests should also be done if you are taking it long term.
During or following long-term treatment with pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE muscle twitching or uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, face or jaw may occur in some patients. For some patients, this side effect may not go away after pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE treatment is stopped. Tell your doctor immediately if you experience these symptoms.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
S WITH THIS MEDICATION
pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE can add to the effects of alcohol and drugs that reduce the ability to react (e.g., tranquilizers, narcotic painkillers, certain drugs for allergies, sleep, seizures, depression, and mental illness). You should avoid consuming alcoholic beverages and only take drugs prescribed by your doctor while on pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE therapy.
Inform your doctor if you start or stop taking any of the following medications:
- medications used to treat Parkinson’s disease, such as dopamine agonists levodopa as these may decrease the effect of pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE
- heart medications (e.g., medications for high blood pressure, antiarrhythmics – medications for rhythm disorders), as these may interact with pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE to cause your blood pressure to drop too low
- medications that may change the electrical activity of the heart, such as but not restricted to: medicines for malaria, heart rhythm disorders, allergies, other antipsychotics, antidepressants, water tablets or other medicines affecting body salts (sodium, potassium, magnesium
- drugs for epilepsy and diabetes, blood thinners,
antacids (e.g., Pepto-Bismol, Maalox) and antidiarrheal agents (e.g., loperamide)
- Lithium, a medicine used to calm emotions and treat mental illness
- Anticholinergic medicines such as some medicines used for irritable bowel syndrome, asthma or incontinence
- Some medicines used for life threatening allergic reactions or conditions, such as adrenaline
- Metrizamide – used to help with tests such as X-ray examinations
- Amphetamines – used for Attention Deficit
Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD)
- Sedatives or alcohol.
If you need surgery, be sure to tell your doctor that you are taking pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE as you may be at risk of developing low blood pressure.
Patients should avoid being exposed to phosphorous insecticides.
Tell all doctors, dentists or pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE. Tell them if you are taking, have recently taken or are planning on taking any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription and natural products. Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you which medicines you can take with pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE.
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
OUsual dose:
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ
pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE will usually be given as an injection in a muscle; however, it may also be given under the skin. Your doctor will decide the best dose for you based on your individual needs.
The recommended starting dose is 2.5 mg to 12.5 mg. A second dose may be given to you 4 to 10 days later. Elderly patients may need lower doses.
Depending how you respond, your doctor will decide the best dose and interval between injections for you.
pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE is not for intravenous use.
Overdose:
| In case of drug overdosage, contact a healthcare practitioner (e.g. doctor) hospital emergency department or regional poison control centre, even if there are no symptoms. |
Having too much pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE may make you feel drowsy and you may become unconscious. You may also feel very cold, have a fast or irregular heartbeat, severe muscle spasms or involuntary movements.
Missed Dose:
If you miss an appointment, you should contact your doctor right away to let him or her know you missed your injection. Your doctor will then advise you when to come for your next scheduled appointment.
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE, like any medication, may cause side effects. These side effects are most likely to be minor and temporary; however, some may be serious and need medical attention. Many of the side effects are dose related, so
it is important to find the right dose with your doctor. Should you experience side effects, discuss them with your doctor. The most common side effects of pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE include:
- sleeplessness/sleepiness
- anxiety
- trembling, decreased motor function or activity such as slight muscle stiffness
- muscle twitching or abnormal uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, face or jaw
- restlessness
- dizziness
- headache
- constipation
- dryness of the mouth
- fever, nausea and loss of appetite, vomiting
- weight change
- menstrual and libido changes,
- abnormal lactation in women
- impotence and breast enlargement in men
- blurred vision,
- increased urination
If you have high levels of prolactin (measured with a blood test) and a condition called hypogonadism you may be at increased risk of breaking a bone due to osteoporosis. This occurs in both men and women.
Your doctor should check your body weight before starting pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE and continue to monitor your weight for as long as you are being treated.
Your doctor should take blood tests before starting pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE to monitor your blood sugar, and the number of infection fighting white blood cells. Your doctor should continue to monitor your blood for as long as you are treated.
SERICTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ
SERIOUS SIDE EFFECTS, HOW OFTEN THEY HAPPEN AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
| Symptom / effect | Talk with your doctor or pharmacist | Stop taking the drug and seek immediate emergency medical treatment | |||||
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||||||
| Uncommon | Low blood pressure and feeling of dizziness, especially when getting up from a lying or sitting position | √ | |||||
| Skin rash, itching, shortness of breath or swelling of the face, lips or tongue | √ | ||||||
Soreness of the mouth, gums or throat or any symptoms of upper respiratory infection, unexplained fever or itching | √ | ||||||
| Yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine | √ | ||||||
| Fast or irregular heartbeat | √ | ||||||
| Sudden change in mental state or sudden weakness or numbness of the face, arms or legs, especially on one side, slurred speech or vision problems, even for a short period of time. | √ | ||||||
| Dizziness, palpitations, or episodes of fainting | √ | ||||||
| Tremor, muscle stiffness, body spasm, impairment of voluntary movement, upward eye rolling, exaggeration of reflexes or drooling | √ | ||||||
| Severe muscle stiffness, increased sweating, fever, fast or irregular heartbeat, high or low blood pressure, difficult or fast breathing, decreased urine production and confusion | √ | ||||||
| Muscle twitching or uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, face or jaw can occur after long-term therapy or after you stop using the drug | √ | ||||||
| Rare | Blood clots: swelling, pain and redness in an arm or leg that can be warm to touch. You may develop sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing and heart palpitations. | √ | |||||
| -- | Long-lasting (greater than 4 hours in duration) and painful erection of the penis. | √ | |||||
| New or worsening constipation this may be a sign of paralytic ileus (paralysis of the intestines) | √ | ||||||
| Glaucoma (increased pressure within the eyeballs) | √ | ||||||
| Convulsions, epileptic fits | √ | ||||||
| Pneumonia (infection of the lungs possibly without symptoms) | √ | ||||||
| Swelling of the hands or feet | √ | ||||||
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE IT
HOW TO STORE IT
pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE should be stored at room temperature and protected from light.
Keep pms-FLUPHENAZINE DECANOATE out of the reach of children.
IMPORTANT: PLEASE READ
Reporting Side Effects
You can help improve the safe use of health products for Canadians by reporting serious and unexpected side effects to Health Canada. Your report may help to identify new side effects and change the product safety information. 3 ways to report:
By completing a Consumer Side Effect Reporting Form and sending it by:
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.MORE |
MORE INFORMATION
MORE INFORMATION
This document, plus the full product monograph prepared for health professionals, can be obtained by contacting Pharmascience Inc. at 1-888-550-6060.
Pharmascience Inc.
Montréal, Canada
H4P 2T4
www.pharmascience.com