Clopixol

What is it?

An antipsychotic drug and thioxanthene produced as tablets and as solutions for injection. Tablets in various strengths and all are film- coated; red tablets contain 2mg zuclopenthixol hydrochloride; light brown tablets contain 10mg; brown tablets contain 25mg. CLOPIXOL INJECTION contains 200mg per ml (as oily injection) contained in ampoules and vials. CLOPIXOL CONCENTRATED INJECTION contains 500mg per ml (as oily injection) contained in ampoules. CLOPIXOL ACUPHASE contains 50mg per ml (as oily injection) contained in ampoules. Usedfor: psychoses, particularly schizophrenia and especially when accompanied by aggression and agitated behaviour. Clopixol acuphase is used for initial treatment of acute psychotic states.

Dosage

Adults, tablets, 20-30mg each day in divided doses in first instance. Usual maintenance dose is in the order of 25-50mg each day with a maximum daily dose of 150mg. Clopixol injection and concentrated injection, 200-500mg every 1 to 4 weeks by deep intramuscular injection with a maximum weekly dose of 600mg. Clopixol acuphase (for immediate treatment of acute psychoses), 50-150mg by deep intramuscular injection repeated after 1, 2 or 3 days if required. Maximum total dose is 400mg and number of injections must not exceed 4.Maintenance should be by means of tablets or other Clopixol injections.

Special Care

Elderly, pregnancy, breast- feeding, severe heart, circulatory, liver or kidney disease, known intolerance to neuroleptic drugs taken by mouth.

Avoid Use

Children, coma, Parkinson- ism, acute intoxication states - alcohol, barbiturate or opiate-induced.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Alcohol, antidiabetic drugs, levodopa, anticonvulsant drugs, analgesics, CNS depressants, antihypertensive drugs, anticoagulants.

Known Side Effects

Parkinsonism-like effects, spasms in muscles and involuntary, repetitive movements, rapid heartbeat rate, vision disturbance, tremor. Also, hypotension, changes in weight, difficulty in passing urine, constipation, dry mouth and stuffiness in nose, impotence, enlargement of breasts, abnormal milk production, hypothermia (especially in elderly persons). There may be blood and skin effects, weariness and lethargy, fits and jaundice. Drug should be withdrawn if neuroleptic malignant syndrome arises.