Thioridazine

Written by HealthyPlace.com Staff Writer

Brand Name: Mellaril

Contents:

Description
Pharmacology
Indications and Usage
Contraindications
Warnings
Precautions
Drug Interactions
Adverse Reactions
Overdose
Dosage
Supplied

Description

Thioridazine (Mellaril) is a phenothiazine used to treat emotional disorders such as schizophrenia and other psychotic disturbances, as well as depressionanxiety. and

Pharmacology

At low and medium doses, Thioridazine (Mellaril) relieves tension and anxiety. At higher doses, thioridazine is effective in controlling the symptoms of psychotic disorders like schizophrenia.

Maximum plasma concentrations are reached 2 to 4 hours after ingestion.

Indications and Usage

Anxiety, tension, mixed states of anxiety and depression, agitation, emotional disturbances accompanied by anxiety and tension, psychosomatic disorders, sleep disturbances.

In geriatric patients, Thioridazine (Mellaril) is helpful with senile agitation and confusional states, anxiety and mixed states of anxiety and depression, insomnia.

Children: Not recommended for those under 1 year old. Indicated for anxiety, tension, difficulties with concentration, sleep disturbances, behavioral disorders such as agitation, hyperactivity or aggressiveness.

Thioridazine is particularly useful: in chronic hospitalized psychotic patients; in psychotic outpatients; in geriatric patients suffering from severe agitation, anxiety or mixed states of anxiety and depression, often associated with various degrees of an organic brain syndrome; during alcohol withdrawal for the relief of symptoms such as anxiety, agitation, hostility, or hallucinations; as an adjuvant treatment in agitated depression; in children with severe behavioral disorders such as emotional instability, hyperexcitability, excessive motor activity, and aggressiveness.

Contraindications

Thioridazine (Mellaril) is contraindicated in patients known to be hypersensitive to it.

Contraindicated in patients with severe CNS depression, bone marrow depression, or a history of blood dyscrasia.

Children: Not recommended for those under 1 year old.

The drug is contraindicated during the acute recovery period after a myocardial infarction.

Warnings

There are reports of sudden and unexplained death, apparently due to arrhythmias or cardiac arrest. Previous brain damage or seizures may also be predisposing factors.

Seizures: High doses should be avoided in patients with a history of seizures.

Extreme caution should be used when this drug is given to: patients with cardiovascular disease.

Precautions

Hypotension may occur, especially in females, the elderly, and in alcoholic patients.

Caution is required in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, or cardiovascular disease.

Thioridazine may induce cardiac arrhythmias.

Convulsive seizures have been infrequently reported. However, thioridazine has been shown to be helpful in the treatment of behavioral disorders in epileptic patients. In such cases, anticonvulsant medication should be continued and dosage adjustment considered