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Thiothixene Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 29, 2024.

Applies to thiothixene: oral capsule.

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Oral route (capsule)

Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death compared to placebo.

Although the causes of death in clinical trials were varied, most of the deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (eg, heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (eg, pneumonia) in nature.

Observational studies suggest that antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality.

It is unclear from these studies to what extent the mortality findings may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to patient characteristics.

Thiothixene hydrochloride is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.

Serious side effects of thiothixene

Along with its needed effects, thiothixene may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking thiothixene:

Rare

  • cough
  • difficulty with swallowing
  • dizziness
  • fast heartbeat
  • hives
  • itching
  • puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  • shortness of breath
  • skin rash
  • tightness in the chest
  • unusual tiredness or weakness
  • wheezing

Incidence not known

  • abdominal or stomach pain
  • back, leg, or stomach pains
  • bleeding gums
  • bloating or swelling of the face, arms, hands, lower legs, or feet
  • blood in the urine or stools
  • bloody, black, or tarry stools
  • blurred vision
  • chest pain
  • chills
  • clay-colored stools
  • confusion
  • convulsions
  • cough or hoarseness
  • dark urine
  • difficulty with breathing
  • dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
  • fainting
  • fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
  • fever
  • fever with or without chills
  • general body swelling
  • general feeling of tiredness or weakness
  • headache
  • high fever
  • high or low blood pressure
  • inability to move the eyes
  • inability to sit still
  • increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
  • increased sweating
  • lightheadedness
  • lip smacking or puckering
  • loss of appetite
  • loss of balance control
  • loss of bladder control
  • lower back or side pain
  • mask-like face
  • nausea or vomiting
  • need to keep moving
  • nosebleeds
  • overactive reflexes
  • painful or difficult urination
  • pale skin
  • pinpoint red spots on the skin
  • puffing of the cheeks
  • rapid or worm-like movements of the tongue
  • rapid weight gain
  • restlessness
  • seizures
  • severe muscle stiffness
  • shuffling walk
  • slowed movements
  • slurred speech
  • sore throat
  • sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
  • sticking out of the tongue
  • sweating
  • swollen glands
  • tic-like (jerky) movements of the head, face, mouth, and neck
  • tingling of the hands or feet
  • tiredness
  • trembling and shaking of the fingers and hands
  • trouble with breathing, speaking, or swallowing
  • uncontrolled chewing movements
  • uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs
  • uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs
  • unexplained bleeding or bruising
  • unpleasant breath odor
  • unusual bleeding or bruising
  • unusual facial expressions
  • unusual weight gain or loss
  • unusually pale skin
  • vomiting of blood
  • yellowing of the eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking thiothixene:

Symptoms of overdose

Other side effects of thiothixene

Some side effects of thiothixene may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

  • absent, missed, or irregular menstrual periods
  • anxiety
  • constipation
  • decreased interest in sexual intercourse
  • diarrhea
  • dry mouth
  • extreme thirst
  • hives or welts
  • hyperventilation
  • inability to have or keep an erection
  • increased appetite
  • increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
  • increased sweating
  • increased thirst
  • increased weight
  • irritability
  • loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
  • menstrual changes
  • nervousness
  • redness or other discoloration of the skin
  • severe sunburn
  • sleeplessness
  • stopping of menstrual bleeding
  • stuffy nose
  • swelling of the breasts or unusual milk production
  • trouble with sleeping
  • unable to sleep
  • watering of mouth

For healthcare professionals

Applies to thiothixene: intramuscular powder for injection, oral capsule, oral concentrate.

General

As this drug has certain chemical and pharmacological similarities to the phenothiazines, all the side effects and toxicity associated with phenothiazines should be considered when this drug is used.

Side effects of phenothiazines (not reported in this drug) include: cerebral edema, cerebrospinal fluid abnormalities, liver damage (jaundice, biliary stasis), eosinophilia, hemolytic anemia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura, neutropenia, agranulocytosis, hyperreflexia (in infants whose mothers received phenothiazines), hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia, glycosuria, exfoliative dermatitis, contact dermatitis (in nursing personnel), miosis, mydriasis, adynamic ileus, and systemic lupus erythematosus-like syndrome.[Ref]

Endocrine

Cardiovascular

Nervous system

Immunologic

Hematologic

Hepatic

Metabolic

Other

Gastrointestinal

Ocular

Dermatologic

Respiratory

References

1. (2001) "Product Information. Navane (thiothixene)." Roerig Division

Further information

Thiothixene side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.