Zuclopenthixol
About Zuclopenthixol
Zuclopenthixol belongs to a class of medications called antipsychotics used to treat schizophrenia (a mental illness) and other psychotic disorders. Schizophrenia is a mental disorder that affects the ability of a person to feel, think and behave clearly.
Zuclopenthixol contains Zuclopenthixol which works by inhibiting the dopamine (chemical messenger) receptors in the brain. Dopamine is involved in regulating mood, behaviour and emotions. Thereby, Zuclopenthixol helps control psychotic illness by preventing the overactivity of dopamine in the brain. Thus, it helps in improving feelings, disturbed thoughts and behaviour.
Take Zuclopenthixol as prescribed by your doctor. You are advised to take Zuclopenthixol for as long as your doctor has prescribed it for you based on your medical condition. Some people may experience dry mouth, unusual tongue movements, mouth and eyeballs, constipation, muscle pain, drowsiness, tremor, fainting, headache or migraine. Most of these side effects of Zuclopenthixol do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Please tell your doctor if you are allergic to Zuclopenthixol or other medicines. Zuclopenthixol is not recommended for children. Zuclopenthixol is not recommended during pregnancy unless clearly necessary. Using it during the third trimester may cause adverse effects in the baby, such as breathing problems, muscle stiffness or weakness, shaking, etc. Zuclopenthixol may be excreted in breast milk. Therefore, avoid taking Zuclopenthixol if you are breastfeeding. Do not consume alcohol with Zuclopenthixol as it may increase the sedative effects of alcohol. Drive only if you are alert, as Zuclopenthixol may cause dizziness, double vision or drowsiness.
Uses of Zuclopenthixol
Medicinal Benefits
Zuclopenthixol contains Zuclopenthixol used to treat schizophrenia (a mental illness) and other psychotic disorders. Zuclopenthixol inhibits the dopamine (chemical messenger) receptors in the brain. Dopamine is involved in regulating mood, behaviour and emotions. Thereby, Zuclopenthixol helps control psychotic illness by preventing the overactivity of dopamine in the brain. Thus, it helps in improving feelings, disturbed thoughts and behaviour.
Directions for Use
Take Zuclopenthixol with or without food as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water. Do not break, crush or chew it.
Storage
Side Effects of Zuclopenthixol
- Dry mouth
- Unusual movements of tongue, mouth and eyeballs
- Constipation
- Muscle pain
- Drowsiness
- Tremor
- Fainting
- Headache or migraine
Drug Warnings
Please tell your doctor if you are allergic to Zuclopenthixol or other medicines. If you have liver, kidney, heart or thyroid problems, inform your doctor before taking Zuclopenthixol. Zuclopenthixol is not recommended for children. Zuclopenthixol is not recommended during pregnancy unless clearly necessary as using it during the third trimester may cause adverse effects in the baby such as breathing problems, muscle stiffness or weakness, shaking, etc. Zuclopenthixol may be excreted in breast milk. Therefore, avoid taking Zuclopenthixol if you are breastfeeding. Inform your surgeon, anaesthetist or dentist before any surgery that you are on treatment with Zuclopenthixol. Do not consume alcohol with Zuclopenthixol as it may increase the sedative effects of alcohol. Drive only if you are alert, as Zuclopenthixol may cause dizziness, double vision or drowsiness.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interaction: Inform your doctor if you are taking high blood pressure-lowering medicines (hydralazine, doxazosin, guanethidine, methyldopa, clonidine), antibiotics (erythromycin, moxifloxacin), antimanic drug (lithium), heart-related medicines (quinidine, amiodarone, sotalol, dofetilide, digoxin), hormone (epinephrine), gastroprokinetic agent (cisapride), blood thinner (warfarin), antiemetic (metoclopramide), drugs to treat worm infections (piperazine), antiparkinson drug (levodopa), steroid (prednisolone) or other medicines.
Drug-Food Interaction: No interactions found.
Drug-Disease Interaction: If you have fits, high blood pressure, asthma, low potassium or magnesium in the blood, Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, blood clots, myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness), have a family history of irregular heartbeats or blood clots, liver, kidney, heart or thyroid problems, inform your doctor before taking Zuclopenthixol.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid consumption of alcohol while on treatment with Zuclopenthixol as it may increase the risk of drowsiness and other adverse effects.
Pregnancy
cautionZuclopenthixol is not recommended for use during pregnancy unless clearly necessary. If Zuclopenthixol is used during the third trimester, it may cause muscle stiffness and/or weakness, shaking, sleepiness, difficulty feeding, and breathing problems in the baby. Therefore, please consult a doctor if you are pregnant or planning pregnancy before taking Zuclopenthixol.
Breast Feeding
cautionZuclopenthixol is not recommended for breastfeeding mothers as it may be excreted in breast milk. However, if you have concerns regarding this, please discuss them with your doctor.
Driving
unsafeAvoid driving if Zuclopenthixol causes double vision. There is a risk of dizziness or drowsiness after taking Zuclopenthixol, especially at the beginning of your treatment. Avoid driving or operating machinery if you are not alert.
Liver
consult your doctorIf you have liver problems, please consult your doctor before taking Zuclopenthixol.
Kidney
consult your doctorIf you have kidney problems, please consult your doctor before taking Zuclopenthixol.
Children
unsafeZuclopenthixol is not recommended for children as safety and effectiveness were not established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Do regular exercise and maintain a healthy body weight.
- Maintain a diet rich in fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
- Follow a regular sleep pattern. Do not take a nap during the day.
- Avoid watching tv, and using mobiles or laptops just before bedtime.
- Avoid alcohol consumption as it may increase drowsiness.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Schizophrenia: It is a mental disorder that affects the ability of a person to feel, think and behave clearly. The symptoms include hallucinations, thought or movement disorders, delusions (misbelief), lack of emotion, sleep problems, isolation from family and friends, and difficulty in daily activities.
FAQs
Zuclopenthixol is used to treat schizophrenia (a mental illness) and other psychotic disorders.
Zuclopenthixol contains Zuclopenthixol, that works by inhibiting the dopamine (chemical messenger) receptors in the brain. Dopamine is involved in regulating mood, behaviour and emotions. Thereby, Zuclopenthixol helps control psychotic illness by preventing the overactivity of dopamine in the brain. Thus, it helps in improving feelings, disturbed thoughts and behaviour.
Zuclopenthixol should be used with caution in asthma patients as it may increase the risk of severe adverse effects. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have asthma or other breathing problems before taking Zuclopenthixol.
It is not recommended to take Zuclopenthixol before surgery. Therefore, it is advised to inform your surgeon, anaesthetist or dentist before any surgery that you are on treatment with Zuclopenthixol as it may increase the effects of muscle relaxing drugs, general anaesthesia and drugs used to prevent blood clots.
Zuclopenthixol may affect fertility as it reduces sexual activity. However, it is a temporary effect. Please consult a doctor if you are planning pregnancy before taking Zuclopenthixol.
Zuclopenthixol should be used with caution in patients suffering from fits as it may worsen the condition. Therefore, inform your doctor if you have a history of fits before taking Zuclopenthixol.
You are not recommended to take Zuclopenthixol with levodopa (antiparkinson drug) as it may decrease the effectiveness of levodopa and increase the risk of adverse effects such as low blood pressure, drowsiness, light-headedness and dizziness. However, please consult your doctor before using Zuclopenthixol with any other medicines.
