Thiothixene is a very potent antipsychotic (neuroleptic) drug that is used to treat confused as well as psychotic thoughts. In effect, it is a tranquilizing psychiatric medication that is also used to manage false perceptions (delusions).
As in the case of starting therapy with any new drug, you ought to take a number of precautions before you start taking the neuroleptic medication thiothixene. First and foremost, you should tell your doctor if you have any allergic reactions to thiothixene, phenothiazines like fluphenazine, chlorpromazine, prochlorperazine (Compazine), perphenazine, thioridazine, promethazine (Phenergan) and trifluoperazine or have any other type of allergies.
In addition, prior to starting treatment with thiothixene, you need to tell your doctor about all the prescription and non-prescription (over-the-counter) drugs, herbal products, vitamins, minerals and dietary supplements taken by you currently or you intend to take. Especially tell your doctor if you are taking antihistamines, antidepressants, epinephrine (Epipen), atropine, ipratropium (Atrovent), any medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), anxiety, mental illness, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), Parkinson's disease, motion sickness, ulcers or urinary problems. Prior to taking thiothixene you should also tell your doctor if you are taking specific medications meant for treating seizures, narcotic drugs for alleviating pain, rifabutin (Mycobutin), rifampin sleeping pills, sedatives and tranquilizers. In case you are taking any of the above mentioned drugs, your doctor may modify the dose of your medications or examine you carefully from time to time for side effects. If you are using any herbal product, especially tell your doctor if you are taking St. John's wort.
If you intend to take the neuroleptic drug thiothixene for your condition, tell your doctor regarding your entire medication history, especially if you have or ever hand any medical condition that affects your blood cells. In this case, you doctor my ask you not to take thiothixene. Also tell you doctor if you have or have ever had breast cancer, any heart ailment and/ or seizures. People who have been drinking alcoholic beverages heavily for a prolonged period, but have discontinued the habit recently should tell their doctor if they are experiencing any symptoms of alcohol withdrawal. If you are still consuming alcoholic beverages, tell your doctor to suggest safe use of alcohol while taking thiothixene. In fact, taking alcoholic drinks while you are being treated with thiothixene may aggravate your side effects. In addition, prior to starting treatment with thiothixene, tell your doctor if you ever had to discontinue a medication owing to mental ailment caused by the acute side effects of that particular medication.
Women who intend to take thiothixene for their condition should tell their doctor if they are pregnant or planning to become pregnant. New mothers should tell the doctor if they are breast feeding. In case you become pregnant while undergoing treatment with thiothixene, you should contact your doctor immediately and discuss the problem with him.
If you are taking thiothixene and need to undergo a surgery or dental operation, you ought to tell your surgeon or dentist that you are taking this medication.
People taking thiothixene ought to know that this medication may result in drowsiness and affect your thinking as well as movements, especially in the initial stage of the treatment. Therefore, it is advisable that people taking this medication should avoid undertaking any task that requires alertness, such as driving a vehicle or operating a machine, till they are sure about the effect of the medication on them as well as when they are confident that they can perform the task safely. Thiothixene is likely to cause dizziness, fainting and light-headedness when you try to get up very quickly from a lying position. Such symptoms are generally common during the initial stages of your treatment with thiothixene. In order to avoid such things, try to get out of the bed slowly - first rest your feet on the floor for a few minutes and then stand up slowly.
Exposure to the sun may result in photosensitivity among people taking thiothixene and, hence, they ought to plan to avoid being in the sun needlessly or for prolonged periods. Even when it is essential for them to go outdoors in the sun, they ought to wear protective clothing, sunglasses and use sunscreen. People using thiothixene should also avoid exposure to heat and cold. They should be aware that thiothixene may make it difficult for their body to cool down once it becomes very hot. Such patients should also avoid extreme physical exertion or rigorous exercises. In the event you are planning to undertake strenuous exercise or be exposed to intense heat, consult your doctor prior hand.
The highly potent antipsychotic or neuroleptic drug is used to treat psychotic medical conditions, such as acute mental disorder distinguished by vague thinking, sensitivity as well as emotions. In effect, this is one of the main medications used to treat medical conditions, such as schizophrenia.
Thiothixene is available in capsule form and is taken orally. Generally, this medication is taken once to thrice every day. It is important to take thiothixene around the same time every day. Prior to using this medication, read the prescription label cautiously and follow the directions. In case you are unable to understand any part of the instructions or have any queries, ask your doctor or pharmacist to help you out. It is important to take this medication strictly according to your doctor's prescription. Never overuse, take less of the medication or use it more frequently than what has been recommended by your doctor.
Generally, your doctor will start your treatment with a low dose of this medication and increase the dose gradually depending on your condition and response to the treatment. Even if you start feeling better or find that your symptoms have disappeared, you should continue taking thiothixene for the complete regimen recommended by your doctor. It is advisable not to stop taking thiothixene all of a sudden and without consulting your doctor.
If you have missed a dose of thiothixene, take it immediately when you remember. However, if it is almost time for the subsequent dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your normal dosing schedule. Never take a double dose of the medication with a view to make up for the missed dose, for doing so may result in adverse after-effects.
The antipsychotic or neuroleptic drug thiothixene works by obstructing the receptors of dopamine - a chemical compound that enables the transmission of nerve impulses in the central nervous system (CNS). It is presumed that this medication produces a sedative or antipsychotic impact.
Like most other drugs, the neuroleptic medication thiothixene is also known to interact with certain medications, especially herbal products and/ or minerals and, hence, they should never be taken all together. In addition, people taking this medication should avoid taking alcoholic beverages, smoking marijuana and exposure to sun, heat and cold. People taking thiothixene should avoid using herbs like kava and valerian as they are likely to aggravate drowsiness. It is also not advisable to use thiothixene with ginseng since a part of this herb acts similar to an MAO inhibitor.
Patients who are taking thiothixene should avoid consumption of alcoholic beverages since it can enhance the sedative action of this medication and, at the same time heighten the inebriating drink's depressant influences on the functioning of the brain as well as blood pressure. Remember, thiothixene has the potential to enhance the intoxicating effects of alcoholic beverages. Similarly, smoking marijuana also results in moderate augmentation in drowsiness, aggravation of orthostatic hypertension (also known as postural hypotension), enhanced risk of precipitating latent psychoses (any acute variety of mental disorder, such as schizophrenia or paranoia), perplexing the analysis of mental status and response to the medication. Hence, people taking thiothixene should avoid both - consumption of alcoholic beverages and smoking marijuana.
Exposure to the sun, heat and cold may also prove to be detrimental for the health of individuals taking thiothixene. This medication has the aptitude to result in photosensitivity when people taking it are exposed to the sun. At the same time, when people taking thiothixene are exposed to heat, this medication may damage the management of body temperature and, at the same time, enhance the risk of heatstroke. On the other hand, when such patients are exposed to cold, it may enhance the risk of hypothermia (abnormally low body temperature), especially among the aged people.
It is advisable that you should not stop taking thiothixene all of a sudden after a prolonged use of this medication. In effect, discontinuation of this medication should be a gradual withdrawal over a period of two to three weeks under the direct supervision of your doctor. It is very important to note that people taking thiothixene should not stop taking this medication without prior consultation and approval of their doctor. Always bear in mind that following discontinuation of this medication, the rate of relapse of schizophrenia is anything around 50 per cent to 60 per cent.
Thiothixene should always be stored in the container it came in. The container should be closed tightly and kept in a place that is beyond the reach of children and pets. In addition, always store thiothixene at room temperature in a place away from extreme heat and moisture. Never store this medication in your bathroom, which is mostly damp. When this medication becomes outdated or is no longer required, discard it in a proper and safe manner. Unless instructed otherwise, never dispose of this medication by flushing it down the toilet or pouring it into a drain. If needed, consult your pharmacist or the local disposal company regarding the safe and proper way to discard the product.
