Thiothixene

What is the most important information I should know about thiothixene?

Call your doctor immediately if you experience uncontrollable movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, arms, or legs.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Thiothixene may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking thiothixene.

Avoid becoming overheated during thiothixene therapy. It is easier to become dangerously dehydrated while you are taking thiothixene. Use caution in hot weather and during exercise.

What is thiothixene?

Thiothixene is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in your brain.

Thiothixene is used to treat the symptoms of psychotic conditions, including hallucinations, delusions, and confusion.

Thiothixene may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking thiothixene?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

• liver disease or other problems with your liver;
• kidney disease;
• heart disease or other heart problems such as high blood pressure, a previous heart attack, or irregular heartbeats;
• seizures or epilepsy;
• an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating; or
• glaucoma.

You may not be able to take thiothixene, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

It is not known whether thiothixene will harm an unborn baby. Do not take thiothixene without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

It is not known whether thiothixene passes into breast milk. Do not take thiothixene without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take thiothixene?

Take thiothixene exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

The liquid form of thiothixene should be mixed in milk, water, fruit juice (not apple), coffee, or a carbonated beverage (noncola soda), then consumed immediately. Do not mix thiothixene with cola or apple juice.

Do not stop taking thiothixene without the approval of your doctor. It may be several weeks before you begin to feel better, and you may require continuous treatment for quite some time. Talk to your doctor before you stop taking this medication.

Store thiothixene at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next regularly scheduled dose, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of an thiothixene overdose include drowsiness, slurred speech, agitation, restlessness, convulsions, fever, an irregular heartbeat, coma, and death.

What should I avoid while taking thiothixene?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Thiothixene may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking thiothixene.

Avoid becoming overheated during thiothixene therapy. It is easier to become dangerously dehydrated while you are taking thiothixene. Use caution in hot weather and during exercise.

What are the possible side effects of thiothixene?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking thiothixene and seek emergency medical attention:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• uncontrollable movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, arms, or legs; or
• yellowing of your skin or eyes.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take thiothixene and talk to your doctor if you experience

• dizziness or drowsiness,
• headache,
• weakness or tremor (shaking),
• agitation,
• an increased heart rate,
• constipation,
• dry mouth, or
• weight gain.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect thiothixene?

Thiothixene may increase the side effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (medicines that treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, muscle relaxants, and any other drug that makes you feel sleepy or relaxed. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking and do not take any medicine unless your doctor approves.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with thiothixene. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Where can I get more information?

Your pharmacist has more information about thiothixene written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Thiothixene is available with a prescription generically and under the brand name Navane. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Navane 1 mg--yellow and orange capsules
• Navane 2 mg-- yellow and blue capsules
• Navane 5 mg--orange and white capsules
• Navane 10 mg--blue and white capsules
• Navane 20 mg--dark-blue and light-blue capsules

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2003 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 3.06. Revision date: 9/22/04.