Brand Name : Deanxit (brand)

Generic Name : Flupentixol / melitracen

General Information

How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient flupentixol (previously spelt flupenthixol in the UK).

Flupentixol belongs to a group of medicines known as the thioxanthene antipsychotics. It is sometimes described as a major tranquilliser.

It acts by blocking a variety of receptors in the brain, particularly dopamine receptors. Dopamine is involved in transmitting signals between brain cells. When there is an excess amount of dopamine in the brain it causes over-stimulation of dopamine receptors. These receptors normally act to modify behaviour and over-stimulation may result in psychotic illness. Flupentixol blocks these receptors and stops them becoming over-stimulated, thereby helping to control psychotic illness.

What is it used for?

Psychotic illness
Schizophrenia

Warning!

You should not suddenly stop taking this medicine unless your doctor tells you otherwise.
Do not drink alcohol whilst taking this medicine.

Use with caution in

Abnormal heart rhythm seen on the heart monitoring trace (ECG) as a prolonged QT interval
Abnormal muscle weakness (myasthenia gravis)
Closed angle glaucoma
Disease involving the heart and blood vessels (cardiovascular disease)
Elderly people
Enlarged prostate gland (prostatic hypertrophy)
Epilepsy
Kidney failure
Liver disease
Parkinsons disease
People with conditions that increase the risk of epilepsy or convulsions, eg brain damage
Severe disease affecting the airways or lungs
Thyroid disease
Tumour of the adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma)

Not to be used in

Children
Excitable and overactive states
Unresponsive unconscious states (comatose states)
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby.Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should not be used during pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
This medicine passes into breast milk. It is recommended that mothers should avoid using this medicine while breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

This medication may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Faster than normal heart beat (tachycardia)
A drop in blood pressure that occurs when going from lying down to sitting or standing, which results in dizziness and lightheadedness (postural hypotension)
Impotence
Drowsiness
Blood disorders
Fits (convulsions)
Urgent need to pass urine
Abnormal movements of the hands, legs, face, neck and tongue, eg tremor, twitching, rigidity (extrapyramidal effects)
Weight changes
High blood prolactin (milk producing hormone) level (hyperprolactinaemia). Sometimes this can lead to symptoms such as breast enlargement, production of milk and stopping of menstrual periods.
Rhythmical involuntary movement of the tongue, face, mouth and jaw, which may sometimes be accompanied by involuntary movements of the arms and legs (tardive dyskinesia)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug\\\'s manufacturer.

For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.


How can this medicine affect other medicines?

When flupentixol is taken with anxiolytics (medicines for anxiety), sleeping tablets and strong painkillers, the sedative effects of these medicines may be increased.

Flupentixol may enhance the effect of general anaesthetics.

Flupentixol may have additive side effects when combined with other anticholinergic medicines such as antihistamines, antispasmodics, and muscle relaxants and antiparkinsonian medications.

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