Prolixin Decanoate Side Effects

Generic name: fluphenazine

Note: This document contains side effect information about fluphenazine. Some of the dosage forms listed on this page may not apply to the brand name Prolixin Decanoate.

Some side effects of Prolixin Decanoate may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA.

For the Consumer

Applies to fluphenazine: oral concentrate, oral elixir, oral tablet

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction while taking fluphenazine (the active ingredient contained in Prolixin Decanoate) hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using fluphenazine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

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

• tremor (uncontrolled shaking), drooling, trouble swallowing, problems with balance or walking;

• feeling like you might pass out;

• seizure (convulsions);

• blurred vision, eye pain, seeing halos around lights;

• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, mouth sores, severe tingling, numbness, pain, muscle weakness;

• dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

• very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats; or

• slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop).

Less serious side effects of fluphenazine may include:

• headache, dizziness, drowsiness;

• feeling anxious or restless;

• strange dreams;

• nausea, constipation, loss of appetite;

• mild skin rash;

• dry mouth, stuffy nose;

• increased sweating or urination;

• breast swelling or discharge;

• changes in your menstrual periods;

• impotence, trouble having an orgasm; or

• weight gain, swelling in your hands or feet.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

For Healthcare Professionals

Applies to fluphenazine: injectable solution, oral concentrate, oral elixir, oral tablet

Nervous system

The drowsiness associated with fluphenazine (the active ingredient contained in Prolixin Decanoate) therapy may resolve after several doses.

Tardive dyskinesia involves involuntary, dyskinetic, repetitive movements and may be more common in elderly women receiving fluphenazine. Tardive dyskinesia may be irreversible and is related to both the duration of therapy and the total amount of drug consumed. Frequent discontinuation and resumption of therapy may predispose patients to the development of tardive dyskinesia.

One study has suggested that the prevalence of tardive dyskinesia in patients receiving fluphenazine for more than two years is approximately 50% and is not different form the prevalence of tardive dyskinesia in patients taking other neuroleptics. Other studies have reported a lower prevalence.

Dystonias frequently involve tongue protrusions, muscle rigidity, torticollis, and opisthotonus. Dystonias usually resolve after neuroleptic discontinuation, but may require antihistamine and antiparkinsonian therapy if symptoms are severe of if respiration is compromised. Treatment of dystonic reactions and extrapyramidal effects, in addition to general supportive measures, may include judicious use of one or more of the following: benztropine, trihexyphenidyl, biperiden or diphenhydramine.

Pseudoparkinsonism involves flat facies, pill-rolling, shuffling gait, and cogwheel rigidity. Pseudoparkinsonism symptoms may respond to judicious use of one or more of the following: benztropine, trihexyphenidyl, biperiden or diphenhydramine.

Fever, altered consciousness, autonomic dysfunction and muscle rigidity are the hallmarks of the neuroleptic malignant syndrome. The neuroleptic malignant syndrome is associated with a case fatality rate of about 20%. Immediate discontinuation of neuroleptic therapy, consideration of dantrolene (or bromocriptine) administration as well as intensive monitoring and supportive care are indicated. (Case reports have suggested an association between the neuroleptic malignant syndrome and malignant hyperpyrexia.)

Cases of suicide associated with fluphenazine induced akathisia have been reported rarely. Other authors have suggested that an association between neuroleptic use and suicide risk is uncertain.

Nervous system side effects have been common and most often included sedation and drowsiness. Tardive dyskinesia, dystonia, akathisia, pseudoparkinsonism, stuttering, increased neuromuscular excitability, tremors, seizures, and the neuroleptic malignant syndrome have also been reported.

Other

Other side effects have included anticholinergic effects such as constipation, dry mouth, urinary retention, and blurred vision which have been reported.

Abrupt discontinuation has been reported to result in recurrence of psychosis. A case of severe debilitating rhinorrhea has also been reported following abrupt discontinuation.

Elevated body temperature and cases of prolonged fever (without the extrapyramidal symptoms associated with the neuroleptic malignant syndrome) have been reported.

A case of finger clubbing has been reported.

Hepatic

Hepatic side effects including transient elevations in liver function tests and cases of cholestatic jaundice have been reported.

Cardiovascular

Cardiovascular side effects including hypotension, hypertension, and arrhythmias have been reported rarely.

General

General side effects including weight gain and obesity have been reported frequently.

Endocrine

Endocrine side effects including hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea have been reported. These effects have been reported to result in female menstrual irregularities and male sexual dysfunction in patients taking other phenothiazines. Cases of the syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone have also been reported.

Respiratory

Respiratory side effects have included rare cases of sudden death thought to be due to fluphenazine (the active ingredient contained in Prolixin Decanoate) induced bulbar palsy, laryngeal dysfunction, and consequent aspiration have been reported.

Hematologic

Hematologic side effects including thrombocytopenia have been reported rarely.

Genitourinary

Genitourinary side effects including priapism have been reported rarely. Hypersexuality, impotence, and loss of libido have also been reported.

Ocular

Ocular side effects including cases of maculopathy have been associated with long-term fluphenazine (the active ingredient contained in Prolixin Decanoate) therapy (and exposure to potential causes of photic damage).

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.