Trifluoperazine injection

What is this medication?

TRIFLUOPERAZINE (trye floo oh PER a zeen) is used to treat schizophrenia. This medicine may also be used for the short-term treatment of anxiety.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Stelazine

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• blockage in your bowel
• brain tumor
• dementia
• diabetes
• difficulty swallowing
• glaucoma
• have trouble controlling your muscles
• head injury
• heart disease
• history of irregular heartbeat
• if you often drink alcohol
• liver disease
• low blood counts, like low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
• low blood pressure
• lung or breathing disease, like asthma
• Parkinson's disease
• prostate disease
• seizures
• trouble passing urine
• an unusual or allergic reaction to trifluoperazine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

This medicine is for injection into a muscle. It is given by a health care professional in a hospital or clinic setting.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

This does not apply.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• cisapride
• dronedarone
• metoclopramide
• pimozide
• saquinavir
• thioridazine

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• alcohol
• antihistamines for allergy, cough, and cold
• atropine
• certain medicines for anxiety or sleep
• certain medicines for bladder problems like oxybutynin, tolterodine
• certain medicines for depression like amitriptyline, fluoxetine, sertraline
• certain medicines for stomach problems like dicyclomine, hyoscyamine
• certain medicines for travel sickness like scopolamine
• epinephrine
• general anesthetics like halothane, isoflurane, methoxyflurane, propofol
• ipratropium
• levodopa or other medicines for Parkinson's disease
• lithium
• medicines for blood pressure
• medicines for seizures like phenobarbital, primidone, phenytoin
• medicines that relax muscles for surgery
• narcotic medicines for pain
• propranolol
• warfarin

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Your condition will be monitored carefully while you are receiving this medicine.

You may get drowsy, dizzy, or have blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can increase possible dizziness or drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

This drug can cause problems with controlling your body temperature. It can lower the response of your body to cold temperatures. If possible, stay indoors during cold weather. If you must go outdoors, wear warm clothes. It can also lower the response of your body to heat. Do not overheat. Do not over-exercise. Stay out of the sun when possible. If you must be in the sun, wear cool clothing. Drink plenty of water. If you have trouble controlling your body temperature, call your health care provider right away.

This medicine may increase blood sugar. Ask your health care provider if changes in diet or medicines are needed if you have diabetes.

This medicine can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and use sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• abnormal production of milk
• breast enlargement in both males and females
• changes in vision
• chest pain
• confusion
• fast, irregular heartbeat
• fever, chills, sore throat
• seizures
• signs and symptoms of high blood sugar such as being more thirsty or hungry or having to urinate more than normal. You may also feel very tired or have blurry vision.
• signs and symptoms of liver injury like dark yellow or brown urine; general ill feeling or flu-like symptoms; light-colored stools; loss of appetite; nausea; right upper belly pain; unusually weak or tired; yellowing of the eyes or skin
• signs and symptoms of low blood pressure like dizziness; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; unusually weak or tired
• trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine
• trouble swallowing
• uncontrollable movements of the arms, face, head, mouth, neck, or upper body
• unusual bruising or bleeding
• unusually weak or tired

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• pain, redness, or irritation at site where injected

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

This drug is given in a hospital or clinic and will not be stored at home.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.