Thioxanthenes (Systemic)

Proper Use of This Medicine

This medicine may be taken with food or a full glass (8 ounces) of water or milk to reduce stomach irritation.

For patients taking thiothixene oral solution :

• This medicine must be diluted before you take it. Just before taking, measure the dose with the specially marked dropper. Mix the medicine with a full glass of water, milk, tomato or fruit juice, soup, or carbonated beverage.

Do not take more of this medicine or take it more often than your doctor ordered . This is particularly important when this medicine is given to children, since they may react very strongly to its effects.

Sometimes this medicine must be taken for several weeks before its full effect is reached .

Dosing - The dose of these medicines will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label . The following information includes only the average doses of these medicines. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The number of capsules or tablets or the amount of liquid that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are taking thioxanthenes.

For chlorprothixene
• For treatment of psychosis:
  • Oral dosage forms (suspension or tablets):
    • Adults and teenagers - 25 to 50 milligrams (mg) three or four times a day.
    • Children 6 to 12 years of age - 10 to 25 mg three or four times a day.
    • Children up to 6 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • Injection dosage form:
    • Adults and teenagers - 25 to 50 mg, injected into a muscle, three or four times a day.
    • Children up to 12 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For flupenthixol
• For treatment of psychosis:
  • Oral dosage form (tablets):
    • Adults - To start, 1 milligram (mg) three times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed, depending on your condition.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • Long-acting injection dosage form:
    • Adults - To start, 20 to 40 milligrams (mg) injected into a muscle. Your doctor will determine whether your dose needs to be changed, depending on your condition.
    • Children - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

For thiothixene
• For treatment of psychosis:
  • Oral dosage forms (capsules and solution):
    • Adults and teenagers - To start, 2 milligrams (mg) three times a day, or 5 mg two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 60 mg a day.
    • Children up to 12 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • Injection dosage form:
    • Adults and teenagers - 4 milligrams (mg), injected into a muscle, two to four times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose if needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 30 mg a day.
    • Children up to 12 years of age - Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose - If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is within 2 hours of your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage - To store this medicine:

• Keep out of the reach of children.
• Store away from heat and direct light.
• Do not store the capsule or tablet form of this medicine in the bathroom, near the kitchen sink, or in other damp places. Heat or moisture may cause the medicine to break down.
• Keep the liquid form of this medicine from freezing.
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed. Be sure that any discarded medicine is out of the reach of children.