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Thorazine |
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What is Thorazine and why is it prescribed? Thorazine is used for the treatment of schizophrenia. Thorazine is also prescribed for the short-term treatment of severe behavioral disorders in children, including explosive hyperactivity and combativeness; and for the hyperenergetic phase of manic-depressive illness. Thorazine is also used to control nausea and vomiting, and to relieve restlessness and apprehension before surgery. It is used as an aid in the treatment of tetanus, and is prescribed for uncontrollable hiccups and acute intermittent porphyria. Thorazine may cause tardive dyskinesia. This condition may be permanent, and appears to be most common among the elderly, especially women. Ask your doctor for information about this possible risk. How should you take Thorazine? Follow your doctors directions for taking Thorazine. If taking Thorazine in a liquid concentrate form, you will need to dilute it with a liquid such as a carbonated beverage, coffee, fruit juice, milk, tea, tomato juice, or water. Puddings, soups, and other semisolid foods may also be used. Thorazine will taste best if it is diluted immediately prior to use. You should not take Thorazine with alcohol. Do not take antacids such as Gelusil at the same time as Thorazine. Leave at least 1 to 2 hours between doses of the two drugs. If you miss a dose and you take Thorazine once a day, take the dose you missed as soon as you remember. If you do not remember until the next day, skip the dose, then go back to your regular schedule. If you take more than 1 dose a day, take the one you missed as soon as you remember if it is within an hour or so of the scheduled time. If you do not remember until later, skip the dose, then go back to your regular schedule. Never take two doses at once. Store Thorazine away from heat, light, and moisture. Do not freeze the liquid. Since the liquid concentrate form of Thorazine is light-sensitive, it should be stored in a dark place, but it does not need to be refrigerated. Are there any Thorazine side effects? Thorazine side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Thorazine side effects may include abnormal secretion of milk, abnormalities in movement and posture, agitation, anemia, asthma, blood disorders, breast development in males, chewing movements, constipation, difficulty breathing, difficulty swallowing, dizziness, drooling, drowsiness, dry mouth, ejaculation problems, eye problems causing fixed gaze, fainting, fever, flu-like symptoms, fluid accumulation and swelling, headache, heart attack, high or low blood sugar, hives, impotence, inability to urinate, inability to move or talk, increase of appetite, infections, insomnia, intestinal blockage, involuntary movements of arms and legs, tongue, face, mouth, or jaw, irregular blood pressure, pulse, and heartbeat, irregular or no menstrual periods, jitteriness, light-headedness, lockjaw, mask-like face, muscle stiffness and rigidity, narrow or dilated pupils, nasal congestion, nausea, pain and stiffness in the neck, persistent, painful erections, pill-rolling motion, protruding tongue, puckering of the mouth, puffing of the cheeks, rapid heartbeat, red or purple spots on the skin, rigid arms, feet, head, and muscles, seizures, sensitivity to light, severe allergic reactions, shuffling walk, skin inflammation and peeling, sore throat, spasms in jaw, face, tongue, neck, mouth, and feet, sweating, swelling of breasts in women, swelling of the throat, tremors, twitching in the body, neck, shoulders and face, twisted neck, visual problems, weight gain, and yellowed skin and whites of eyes. What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Thorazine? If Thorazine is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Thorazine with Anesthetics, Antacids (such as Gelusil), Antiseizure drugs (such as Dilantin), Antispasmodic drugs (such as Cogentin), Atropine (Donnatal), Barbiturates (such as phenobarbital), Blood-thinning drugs (such as Coumadin), Captopril (Capoten), Cimetidine (Tagamet), Diuretics (such as Dyazide), Epinephrine (EpiPen), Guanethidine, Lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith), MAO inhibitors (antidepressants such as Nardil and Parnate), Narcotics (such as Percocet), or Propranolol (Inderal). Extreme drowsiness and other potentially serious effects can result if Thorazine is combined with alcohol and other mental depressants such as narcotic painkillers like Demerol. Because Thorazine prevents vomiting, it can hide the signs and symptoms of overdose of other drugs. Are there any special warnings about Thorazine? You should use Thorazine cautiously if you have ever had: asthma; a brain tumor; breast cancer; intestinal blockage; emphysema; the eye condition known as glaucoma; heart, kidney, or liver disease; respiratory infections; seizures; or an abnormal bone marrow or blood condition; or if you are exposed to pesticides or extreme heat. Be aware that Thorazine can mask symptoms of brain tumor, intestinal blockage, and the neurological condition called Reye's syndrome. Stomach inflammation, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and tremors may result if you suddenly stop taking Thorazine. Follow your doctor's instructions closely when discontinuing Thorazine. Thorazine can suppress the cough reflex; you may have trouble vomiting. Thorazine may impair your ability to drive a car or operate potentially dangerous machinery. Thorazine can increase your sensitivity to light. Avoid being out in the sun too long. Thorazine can cause a group of symptoms called Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome, which can be fatal. Some symptoms are extremely high body temperature, rigid muscles, mental changes, irregular pulse or blood pressure, rapid heartbeat, sweating, and changes in heart rhythm. If you are on Thorazine for prolonged therapy, you should see your doctor for regular evaluations, since side effects can get worse over time. |
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