Thiothixene (By mouth)

Introduction:

Thiothixene (thye-oh-THIX-een)

Treats mania, paranoia, schizophrenia, and other mental conditions.

Brand Name(s):

Navane

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Capsule, Liquid, Tablet

• Your doctor will tell you how much of this medicine to use and how often. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you. Do not use more medicine or use it more often than your doctor tells you to.
• Take with food to avoid stomach upset.
• Carefully measure the oral liquid using the marked dropper that comes with the medicine. You may mix the medicine with a full glass of water, juice, or soda. Drink this mixture right away.

If a dose is missed:

• If you miss a dose or forget to use your medicine, use it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Store at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Store the oral liquid in the refrigerator. Do not freeze.
• Ask your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any leftover medicine after you have finished your treatment. You will also need to throw away old medicine after the expiration date has passed.
• Keep all medicine away from children and never share your medicine with anyone.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using atropine (Sal-Tropine?), belladonna, scopolamine, medicine for seizures (such as carbamazepine, phenobarbital, Luminal®, or Tegretol®), or medicine to lower blood pressure (such as atenolol, captopril, enalapril, quinapril, Tenormin®, or Accupril®).
• Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have a history of breast cancer, seizures, Parkinson's disease, glaucoma, heart disease, blood vessel problems, or liver disease. Also tell your doctor if you have ever had a condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) in the past.
• This medicine is not used to treat behavior disorders in older people who have dementia. Using this medicine to treat this problem could increase the risk of death.
• Tardive dyskinesia (a movement disorder) may occur and may not go away after you stop using the medicine. Call your doctor right away if you are having symptoms such as muscle spasms or twitching; rapid, worm-like movements of the tongue; or other uncontrolled movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, arms, or legs.
• You might get overheated more easily while using this medicine. Be aware of this if you are exercising or the weather is hot. Drinking water might help. If you get too hot and feel dizzy, weak, tired, confused, or sick to your stomach, try to cool down.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert. You may also feel lightheaded when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, so stand up slowly.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly without asking your doctor. You may need to slowly decrease your dose before stopping it completely.
• Your doctor will need to check your progress at regular visits while you are using this medicine. Be sure to keep all appointments. You may also need to have your eyes tested on a regular basis while you are using this medicine.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing.
• Fever, sweating, confusion, uneven heartbeat, or muscle stiffness.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Problems with balance or walking.
• Rapid breathing or heartbeat.
• Restlessness, agitation, or any changes in mood or behavior.
• Seizures.
• Spasms of the neck, face, or back.
• Swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet.
• Twitching or muscle movements you cannot control.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Changes in menstrual periods.
• Changes in vision, such as trouble focusing.
• Drowsiness or dizziness.
• Dry mouth, loss of appetite, nausea, or constipation.
• Sensitivity to sunlight.
• Trouble having sex (impotence).
• Weight gain.

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor: