Thiothixene

Brand names

• Navane

Usage

To treat psychotic conditions (severe mental disorders marked by distorted thoughts, perceptions, and emotions), such as schizophrenia.

How it works

Thiothixene blocks receptors of dopamine (a chemical that allows the transmission of nerve impulses) in the central nervous system. Presumably, this produces a tranquilizing or antipsychotic effect.

Side effects

Serious

Rapid heartbeat, profuse sweating, seizures, difficulty breathing, neck stiffness, swelling of the tongue, difficulty swallowing. Also a rare condition can develop called neuIroleptic malignant syndrome, characterized by stiffness or spasms of the muscles, high fever, and confusion or disorientation.

Common

Nausea, reduced perspiration, dry mouth, blurred vision, drowsiness, shaking of the hands, muscle stiffness, stooped posture.

Less common

Difficult urination, menstrual irregularities, breast pain or swelling, unexpected weight gain, uncontrolled movements of the tongue, fever, chills, sore throat, unusual bruising or bleeding, heart palpitations, skin rash, itching, increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight.

Possible interactions

Other medicaments:

Thiothixene may increase the effects of:

• all atropinelike medicaments and cause nervous system toxicity.
• all sedative medicaments, especially barbiturates and narcotic analgesics and cause excessive sedation.

Thiothixene may decrease the effects of:



• guanethidine (Ismelin, Esimil) and reduce its effectiveness in lowering blood pressure.

Thiothixene taken concurrently with:



• ketorolac (Toradol) may result in hallucinations.
• lithium (Lithobid, others) may result in exaggerated neurotoxicity (rigidity and tremor).
• monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors may result in worsening of the depressive effects of thiothixene on the central nervous system and breathing.
• tramadol (Ultram) may increase seizure risk.
• zotepine (Nipolept) may increase seizure risk.

The following medicaments may decrease the effects of thiothixene:



• antacids containing aluminum and/or magnesium.
• barbiturates.
• benztropine (Cogentin).
• trihexyphenidyl (Artane).

Herbal medicines or minerals:

Kava and valerian may worsen drowsiness. Since part of the way that ginseng works is as an MAO inhibitor, combination with this medicine is not advisable.

Alcohol:

Alcohol can increase the sedative action of thiothixene and accentuate its depressant effects on brain function and blood pressure. Thiothixene can increase the intoxicating effects of alcohol.

Marijuana smoking:

Moderate increase in drowsiness; accentuation of orthostatic hypotension; increased risk of precipitating latent psychoses, confusing the interpretation of mental status and medicament responses.

Exposure to sun:

This medicament can cause photosensitivity.

Exposure to heat:

This medicament may impair the regulation of body temperature and increase the risk of heatstroke.

Exposure to cold:

This medicament can increase the risk of hypothermia in the elderly.

Discontinuation:

After a period of long-term use, do not stop this medicament suddenly. Gradual withdrawal over 2 to 3 weeks under physician supervision is recommended. Do not discontinue this medicament without your physician's knowledge and approval. The relapse rate of schizophrenia after discontinuation is 50 to 60%.