Trifluoperazine is a phenothiazine (FEEN-oh-THYE-a-zeen) antipsychotic medicine that is used to treat anxiety or schizophrenia.

Trifluoperazine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use trifluoperazine if you have bone marrow suppression, liver disease, a blood cell disorder, or if you have drowsiness, slow breathing, weak pulse, or decreased alertness (such as after drinking alcohol or taking medicines that make you sleepy).

Trifluoperazine is not approved for use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using trifluoperazine.

Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

Usual Adult Dose for Schizophrenia:

Initial dose: 2 to 5 mg orally 2 times a day
Maintenance dose: 15 to 20 mg/day
Maximum dose: 40 mg/day

Comment:
-Most patients should reach therapeutic levels in 2 to 3 weeks.

Use: Management of schizophrenia

Usual Adult Dose for Anxiety:

Recommended dose: 1 to 2 mg orally 2 times a day
Maximum dose: 6 mg/day
Duration of therapy: Up to 12 weeks

Comment:
-The lowest effective dosage should be used for the shortest duration of time.

Use: Treatment of non-psychotic anxiety

Usual Geriatric Dose for Schizophrenia:

Initial dose: 2 mg orally 2 times a day
Maintenance dose: 15 to 20 mg/day
Maximum dose: 40 mg/day

Comment:
-Most patients should reach therapeutic levels in 2 to 3 weeks

Use: Management of schizophrenia

Usual Geriatric Dose for Anxiety:

Initial dose: 1 mg orally 2 times a day
Maximum dose: 6 mg/day
Duration of therapy: Up to 12 weeks

Comments:
-Due to the long half-life of this drug, this drug may be given as a once a day dose.
-The lowest effective dosage should be used for the shortest duration of time.

Use: Treatment of non-psychotic anxiety

Usual Pediatric Dose for Schizophrenia:

6 to 12 years:
-Initial dose: 1 mg once a day OR 2 times a day
-Maintenance dose: 1 to 15 mg/day

12 years and older:
-Initial dose: 2 to 5 mg orally 2 times a day
-Maintenance dose: 15 to 20 mg/day
-Maximum dose: 40 mg/day

Comments:
-Pediatric patients should be closely monitored or hospitalized.
-Dosing should be determined by symptom severity and the weight of the child. Patients may undergo gradual dose titration until symptoms are controlled or side effects become intolerable.
-Older patients with severe schizophrenia may require doses greater than 15 mg/day to manage their symptoms.
-Most patients should reach therapeutic levels in 2 to 3 weeks.

Use: Management of schizophrenia

You should not use trifluoperazine if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• bone marrow suppression;

• liver disease;

• a blood cell disorder such as anemia, low white blood cell counts, or low platelets; or

• drowsiness, slow breathing, weak pulse, or decreased alertness (such as after drinking alcohol or taking medicines that make you sleepy).

Trifluoperazine may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis and is not approved for this use.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• a brain tumor;

• heart disease, high blood pressure;

• kidney disease;

• blockage in your digestive tract (stomach or intestines);

• past or present breast cancer;

• glaucoma;

• seizures or epilepsy;

• pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);

• an enlarged prostate or urination problems; or

• if you also take lithium or a blood thinner (warfarin, Coumadin, Jantoven).

Tell your doctor if you will be exposed to extreme heat or cold, or to insecticide poisons while you are taking trifluoperazine.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant. Taking antipsychotic medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause breathing problems, feeding problems, or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.

You should not breastfeed while using trifluoperazine.

Talk with your doctor before giving trifluoperazine to a child who has been ill with a fever or flu symptoms.

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include dry mouth, constipation, extreme drowsiness or feeling restless and agitated, changes in heart rate, fainting, and seizure (convulsions).

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom).

Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. However, you should not flush this medication down the toilet. Instead, the best way to dispose of your medication is through a medicine take-back program. Talk to your pharmacist or contact your local garbage/recycling department to learn about take-back programs in your community. See the FDA's Safe Disposal of Medicines website (http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p) for more information if you do not have access to a take-back program.

It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily. To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location – one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. http://www.upandaway.org

Unless your doctor tells you otherwise, continue your normal diet.

Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how trifluoperazine will affect you. Dizziness or drowsiness can cause falls, accidents, or severe injuries.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Avoid drinking alcohol.

Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Trifluoperazine can make you sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

High doses or long-term use of trifluoperazine can cause a serious movement disorder that may not be reversible. The longer you use trifluoperazine, the more likely you are to develop this disorder, especially if you are a woman or an older adult.

Trifluoperazine may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• uncontrolled muscle movements in your arms, legs, or face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement);

• stiffness in your neck, tightness in your throat, trouble breathing or swallowing;

• feeling restless, jittery, or agitated;

• decreased night vision, tunnel vision, watery eyes, increased sensitivity to light;

• seizure (black-out or convulsions);

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• low blood cell counts--fever, chills, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, trouble breathing; or

• severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Common side effects of trifluoperazine may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, tiredness;

• blurred vision;

• dry mouth, loss of appetite;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• muscle weakness;

• itching or rash;

• missed menstrual periods; or

• breast swelling or discharge.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Taking trifluoperazine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can cause dangerous side effects or death. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Many drugs can affect trifluoperazine. This includes prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible interactions are listed here. Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you start or stop using.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and your eye doctor. You should have regularly scheduled eye exams during your treatment with trifluoperazine because trifluoperazine may cause eye disease.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking trifluoperazine.

Trifluoperazine may interfere with the results of home pregnancy tests. Talk to your doctor if you think you might be pregnant during your treatment with trifluoperazine. Do not try to test for pregnancy at home.

Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription.

It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.