Fanapt

Generic Name: iloperidone (EYE loe PER i done)
Brand Names: Fanapt

What is Fanapt?

Fanapt (iloperidone) is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the effects of chemicals in the brain.

Fanapt is used to treat schizophrenia.

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

Important information about Fanapt

Fanapt is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Fanapt may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

Before using Fanapt, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by Fanapt.

While you are taking Fanapt, you may be more sensitive to temperature extremes such as very hot or cold conditions. Avoid getting too cold, or becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking this medicine.

Fanapt may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of Fanapt. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, restless muscle movements in your face or neck, tremor (uncontrolled shaking), trouble swallowing, or feeling like you might pass out.

If you have stopped taking Fanapt for any reason, talk with your doctor before you start taking it again. You may need to restart the medication at a lower dose.

Before taking Fanapt

Fanapt is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Iloperidone may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions. You should not use Fanapt if you are allergic to iloperidone.

To make sure you can safely take Fanapt, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• kidney or liver disease;

• a personal or family history of Long QT syndrome;

• seizures or epilepsy;

• heart disease, high blood pressure, heart rhythm problems;

• history of low white blood cell (WBC) counts;

• a history of heart attack or stroke;

• an electrolyte imbalance, such as low potassium or magnesium levels in your blood;

• a history of breast cancer;

• diabetes (Fanapt may raise your blood sugar);

• trouble swallowing; or

• a history of suicidal thoughts.

FDA pregnancy category C. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication. Taking antipsychotic medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking Fanapt, do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice. It is not known whether iloperidone passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. You should not breast-feed while you are taking Fanapt. Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medicine.

See also: Fanapt pregnancy and breastfeeding warnings (in more detail)

How should I take Fanapt?

Take Fanapt exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Fanapt can be taken with or without food.

Your doctor will need to check your progress on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Fanapt may cause you to have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Talk to your doctor if you have any signs of hyperglycemia such as increased thirst or urination, excessive hunger, or weakness. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are taking Fanapt.

If you have stopped taking Fanapt for any reason, talk with your doctor before you start taking it again. You may need to restart the medication at a lower dose.

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

See also: Fanapt dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical treatment if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include drowsiness, fast heart rate, and feeling light-headed.

What should I avoid while taking Fanapt?

While you are taking Fanapt, you may be more sensitive to temperature extremes such as very hot or cold conditions. Avoid getting too cold, or becoming overheated or dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are taking Fanapt. This medicine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Fanapt.

See also: Fanapt and alcohol (in more detail)

Fanapt side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction to Fanapt: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop taking this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out;

• twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs;

• tremor (uncontrolled shaking);

• trouble swallowing;

• seizure (convulsions);

• urinating less than usual or not at all;

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• white patches or sores inside your mouth or in your lips;

• feeling like you might pass out; or

• penis erection that is painful or lasts 4 hours or longer.

Less serious Fanapt side effects may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, tired feeling;

• dry mouth, stuffy nose, sore throat;

• nausea, diarrhea, upset stomach;

• joint pain;

• breast swelling or discharge;

• changes in menstrual periods;

• blurred vision;

• weight gain; or

• mild skin rash.

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.

See also: Fanapt side effects (in more detail)

What other drugs will affect Fanapt?

Before using Fanapt, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by Fanapt.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• arsenic trioxide (Trisenox);

• droperidol (Inapsine);

• an antibiotic such as clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., EryPed, Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), ketoconazole (Nizoral), levofloxacin (Levaquin), moxifloxacin (Avelox), pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam), rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, Rifater);

• an antidepressant such as amitriptylline (Elavil, Vanatrip), clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), or paroxetine (Paxil);

• anti-malaria medications such as chloroquine (Arelan), mefloquine (Lariam), or halofantrine (Halfan);

• heart rhythm medicine such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), dofetilide (Tikosyn), disopyramide (Norpace), ibutilide (Corvert), procainamide (Procan, Pronestyl), propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine (Quinidex, Quin-Release Quin-G), or sotalol (Betapace);

• medicine to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, such as dolasetron (Anzemet) or ondansetron (Zofran);

• other medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), clozapine (FazaClo, Clozaril), haloperidol (Haldol), pimozide (Orap), thioridazine (Mellaril), or ziprasidone (Geodon);

• migraine headache medicine such as sumatriptan (Imitrex) or zolmitriptan (Zomig); or

• narcotic medication such as levomethadyl (Orlaam), or methadone (Dolophine, Methadose).

This list is not complete and other drugs may interact with Fanapt. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about Fanapt.