Trifluoperazine information from DrugsUpdate  

Pharmacodynamics

Pharmacokinetics

Trifluoperazine inhibits dopamine D2 receptors in the brain. It has weak anticholinergic and sedative effects but strong extrapyramidal and antiemetic effects. It controls severely disturbed, agitated or violent behaviour but may also be used for nonpsychotic anxiety.

Absorption
Readily absorbed from GI tract. Peak plasma concentrations: 1.5-6 hours. Bioavailability: subject to interindividual variation.

Distribution
Protein binding: highly bound. Distributed into breast milk.

Excretion
Terminal half life: 22 hours.

Trifluoperazine Indications / Trifluoperazine Uses

Information Not Available

Trifluoperazine Adverse Reactions / Trifluoperazine Side Effects

Drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, dizziness, sedation, antimuscarinic affects, postural hypotension, akathisia, muscle weakness, anorexia, insomnia, rash, amenorrhoea, fatigue, increased prolactin levels, extrapyramidal side effects.

Potentially Fatal: Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, blood dyscrasias.

Precautions

Information Not Available

Special Precautions

Cardiovascular disease, epilepsy, angle-closure glaucoma, exposure to extreme temperatures, elderly, parkinson's disease, myasthenia gravis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, DM, renal amd hepatic impairment. Discontinue trifluoperazine at least 48 hours before myelography and do not resume for at least 24 hours after procedure. Do not use trifluoperazine in control of nausea and vomiting occurring either prior to myelography or postprocedure with metrizamide. Pregnancy.

Other Drug Interactions

Increased CNS depression with CNS depressants such as opiates or other analgesics, barbiturates or other sedatives, general anaesthetics, or alcohol. Increased risk of side effects with drugs with antimuscarinic properties e.g. TCA, antiparkinsonian drugs. Antagonised effects of dopaminergic drugs such as levodopa. Increased risk of hypotension with antihypertensives, trazodone. Reverses antihypertensive effect of guanethidine. Increased risk of severe extrapyramidal side-effects or severe neurotoxicity with lithium. Possible decrease in absorption with antacids.

Other Interactions

Information Not Available

Dosage

Oral
Psychoses
Adult: 2-5 mg bid gradually increased to 15-20 mg daily, or 40 mg daily in severe or resistant psychoses.
Child: Max: 5 mg daily in divided doses adjusted according to age, body weight and response.
Elderly: Initiate at lower dose and increase gradually.

Oral
Nausea and vomiting
Adult: 1-2 mg bid. Max 6 mg daily.
Child: 3-5 years: max 1 mg daily in divided doses; 6-12 years: max 4 mg daily.
Elderly: Initiate at lower dose and increase gradually.

Oral
Short-term management of anxiety
Adult: 1-2 mg bid. Max: 6 mg daily. Max duration: 12 weeks.
Child: 3-5 years: max 1 mg daily in divided doses; 6-12 years: max 4 mg daily in divided doses.
Elderly: Initiate at lower dose and increase gradually.

Intramuscular
Acute psychosis
Adult: 1-2 mg by deep IM, repeated if necessary every 4-6 hours. Max: 6 mg daily.
Child: 1 mg by deep IM once or twice daily.
Elderly: Initiate at lower dose and increase gradually.

Food(before/after)

Should be taken with food.

Trifluoperazine and Pregnancy

Caution when used during pregnancy

Category C: Either studies in animals have revealed adverse effects on the foetus (teratogenic or embryocidal or other) and there are no controlled studies in women or studies in women and animals are not available. Drugs should be given only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus.

Trifluoperazine and Lactation

Contraindicated in lactation

Trifluoperazine and Children

Information Not Available

Trifluoperazine and Geriatic

Information Not Available

Trifluoperazine and Other Contraindications

Preexisting CNS depression and coma; bone marrow depression, blood dyscrasias, liver disease, hypersensitivity to phenothiazines, prolactin dependent tumours. Pregnancy (1st trimester), lactation.

Storage

Oral
Store at 15-30°C

Lab interference

Oral
Store at 15-30°C