Fluanxol Depot 40mg/2ml Injection

✔️ Uses of Fluanxol Depot Injection

Treatment of Schizophrenia

✔️ How does Fluanxol Depot Injection work?

Fluanxol Depot 40 mg Injection 2 ml works by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain. Dopamine is a chemical messenger responsible for regulating mood, emotions, and behavior. By inhibiting the overactivity of dopamine, Fluanxol Depot helps manage psychotic illnesses, leading to improved emotional stability, clearer thoughts, and better behavioral control.

✔️ Side Effects of Fluanxol Depot Injection

Most side effects are mild and resolve with time. However, consult your doctor if they persist or worsen.

• Dry mouth
• Drowsiness
• Muscle rigidity or spasms
• Headache
• Weight changes
• Dizziness
• Insomnia
• Nervousness or depression

✔️ Quick Suggestions:

• Fluanxol Depot Injection is usually administered in the hospital/clinical setting by a qualified healthcare professional. Consult the doctor if you experience any undesirable side effects. Ensure that the treatment course is completed. Do not stop the Fluanxol Depot Injection without consulting your doctor.
• Do not take a nap during this time.
• Avoid watching TV, and using mobiles or laptops just before bedtime.
• Avoid consumption of alcohol as it may increase drowsiness.

✔️ Indication of Fluanxol Depot Injection

• Depression: Short-term symptomatic treatment for mild to moderate depression (with or without anxiety) or cases where other antidepressants have failed.
• Schizophrenia and other psychoses: Particularly effective in cases with apathy and withdrawal but not suitable for mania or psychomotor hyperactivity.

Always use under the guidance of a registered physician.

✔️ Pharmacology

Flupentixol is a low-dose neuroleptic from the thioxanthene group. At doses up to 3 mg/day, it exhibits anxiolytic, antidepressant, and mood-stabilizing effects. It primarily blocks central monoamine receptors, particularly in the dopaminergic system, enhancing its therapeutic effects.

✔️ Dosage & Administration of Fluanxol Depot Injection

Adults:

• Depression: Start with 1 mg in the morning. Increase to 2 mg after one week if necessary. Doses above 2 mg should be divided, with a maximum of 3 mg/day. The last dose should be taken no later than the evening.
• Psychosis: Start with 3–9 mg twice daily. Adjust based on response, with a maximum of 18 mg/day.

Elderly: Start with 0.5 mg in the morning. Increase to 1 mg after one week if needed. The maximum dosage is 2 mg/day in divided doses.

Children: Not recommended.

If no response is observed within one week at the maximum dose, discontinue use.

✔️ Interaction

• It may require dose adjustments when used with drugs causing postural hypotension.
• Can reduce the efficacy of antihypertensive medications like guanethidine.
• Potentiates adverse effects of antimuscarinics and may increase the risk of extrapyramidal effects with metoclopramide.
• Concomitant use of QT-prolonging antiarrhythmics can increase the risk of ventricular arrhythmias.

✔️ Contraindications:

• Excitable/overactive patients, CNS depression, bone marrow suppression, or phaeochromocytoma.
• Severe alcohol, barbiturate, or opiate intoxication.
• Not recommended for severe depression requiring ECT or hospitalization.
• Avoid use in pregnancy unless essential, and breastfeeding during treatment.

✔️ Pregnancy & Lactation

• Avoid use during pregnancy unless essential, especially in the first and last trimesters.
• Small amounts are excreted in breast milk, so breastfeeding is not recommended during treatment.

✔️ Precautions & Warnings

• Use with caution in patients with hepatic/renal impairment, cardiovascular conditions, Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, depression, or glaucoma.
• Elderly patients are particularly susceptible to side effects like postural hypotension or temperature dysregulation.
• Avoid sunlight exposure at higher doses due to photosensitization risks.

✔️ Storage:

• Store below 30°C.
• Keep away from light and moisture.
• Keep out of reach of children.