Drug Name – Thioridazine
Brand Name – Mellaril

WARNING – Serious heart problems (QTc interval prolongation) have occurred in
patients taking thioridazine. QTc prolongation can infrequently result in
serious, rarely fatal, irregular heartbeats. Consult your doctor or pharmacist
for details. Ask for instructions about whether you need to stop any other
QTc-prolonging drugs you may be using in order to minimize the risk of this
effect. This medicine should be used only when treatment with other drugs have
failed.

USES: This medication is used to treat a mental/emotional condition
(schizophrenia) that is untreatable with other drugs. It may be used for other
conditions as determined by your doctor.

HOW TO USE: Take with food or milk if stomach upset occurs unless directed
otherwise by your doctor. Your dosage is based on your condition and response to
the medication.
Take this medication exactly as prescribed. Do not increase your dose or stop
taking this drug without first consulting your doctor.
In the treatment of mental or emotional conditions, it may take up to two weeks
for full benefit to be noticed.

SIDE EFFECTS: Constipation, drowsiness, vision changes or dry mouth may occur.
If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor.
Unlikely to occur but report promptly: restlessness, muscle stiffness,
weakness, difficulty speaking, loss of balance, mask-like facial expression,
trembling or shaking, dizziness, lip smacking or other uncontrollable movements,
difficulty urinating, skin rash/discoloration.
Very unlikely to occur but report promptly: sore throat, unusual bleeding or
bruising, stomach pain, yellowing of eyes or skin, dark urine, hot dry skin,
vomiting.
Though very unlikely to occur, notify your doctor immediately if you experience
any of the following effects: severe muscle stiffness, confusion, fever,
seizures, irregular/fast heartbeat, increased sweating, fainting.
For males, in the very unlikely event you have a painful or prolonged erection
lasting 4 or more hours, stop using this drug and seek immediate medical
attention, or permanent problems could occur.
In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek
immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash,
swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing.
If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.

PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: very high or
very low blood pressure, heart disease (especially reduced cytochrome P450
enzymes), irregular heartbeat, Reye’s syndrome, alcohol or drug dependencies,
nervous system problems, blood disorders, allergies (especially any drug
allergies).
Use caution performing tasks that require alertness such as driving or
operating machinery.
Use of alcohol can cause extreme drowsiness. Avoid alcohol use.
This medication may increase sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid prolonged sun
exposure and wear a sunscreen and protective clothing when you are exposed to
the sun.
This medication can reduce sweating making you more susceptible to heat stroke.
Avoid strenuous work or exercise in hot weather.
Elderly patients are more sensitive to the effects of this drug. Use
cautiously.
Children should be monitored closely while using this drug.
This drug should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. Discuss the
risks and benefits with your doctor.
Certain phenothiazines are known to be excreted into breast milk and may have
undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before
breast-feeding.

DRUG INTERACTIONS: Inform your doctor about all prescription and nonprescription
medications you may use, especially of: anti-anxiety drugs, anti-depressants
(including certain SSRIs such as fluoxetine, paroxetine, fluvoxamine),
propranolol, pindolol, guanethidine, guanadrel, metrizamide, cabergoline,
lithium, narcotic pain medication (e.g., codeine), drugs that help you sleep,
muscle relaxants, drowsiness-causing antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), any
other drugs that make you drowsy.
Report any drugs which affect heart rhythm (QTc prolongation), such as:
dofetilide, pimozide, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide, sparfloxacin, “water
pills” (diuretics such as furosemide or hydrochlorothiazide).
Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.
Many cough-and-cold products contain ingredients that may add a drowsiness
effect. Before using cough-and-cold medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist
about the safe use of those products.
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.

OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or
emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline
at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control
center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include restlessness, muscle spasms,
tremors, twitching, deep sleep or loss of consciousness, and seizures.

NOTES: Do not share this medication with others. Certain tests (such as EKG and
electrolytes) may be done as part of drug monitoring before and during therapy.

MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose and take 1 dose daily, take it as soon as
remembered unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, skip the
missed dose and resume your usual schedule.
If you take more that 1 dose daily, take is as soon as possible if it is within
an hour or so of the missed dose. If not remembered within an hour, skip the
missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to
catch up.