Navane Capsule: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Navane Capsule (thiothixene) is a first-generation antipsychotic medicine used to treat schizophrenia in adults and adolescents aged 12 and older. The brand-name Navane has been discontinued in the United States, but generic thiothixene capsules may still be available. It works by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain to help balance dopamine levels that affect mood, behavior, and thinking.

What is Navane Capsule

Navane (thiothixene) is a first-generation antipsychotic medicine that comes in capsule form. It is used to treat schizophrenia. The brand-name Navane has been discontinued in the United States, but generic thiothixene capsules may still be available.

Navane Capsule uses

• Schizophrenia in adults and adolescents aged 12 and older
• Other psychotic disorders featuring psychosis, such as acute mania or severe behavioral disturbances (used off-label or historically)

Benefits of Navane Capsule

• Helps manage symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychotic illnesses
• Can help regulate disturbed thoughts and behavior

How Navane Capsule works

It works by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain, which helps balance dopamine levels that affect mood, behavior, and thinking.

Navane Capsule dosage

Take this medication by mouth with a glass of water, following the directions on the prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals and do not take more often than directed.

Do not suddenly stop taking this medication; the dose may need to be reduced gradually under your care team's guidance. Special care may be needed for children as young as 12 years, with precautions applying.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can; if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one — do not double up. This medicine is only for you; do not share it with others.

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Available forms and strengths

• Capsule (1 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg, 20 mg)

Side effects of Navane Capsule

Common

• Drowsiness, sedation, and dizziness
• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Restlessness or inability to sit still (akathisia)
• Blurred vision
• Weakness or fatigue
• Weight changes or increased appetite
• Increased sensitivity to sunlight (photosensitivity)
• Feeling restless or agitated
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Breast swelling or discharge
• Changes in menstrual periods
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Increased thirst
• Impotence or loss of interest in sex

Serious

• Movement disorders such as muscle stiffness, tremors, dystonia, or tardive dyskinesia
• Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS): high fever, severe muscle rigidity, rapid heartbeat, and altered consciousness
• Increased risk of death in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis
• Blood disorders such as low white blood cell counts (leukopenia or agranulocytosis), raising infection risk
• Problems regulating body temperature in extreme heat or cold
• Severe drowsiness, sedation, or respiratory depression when combined with alcohol or other CNS depressants
• Allergic reactions: skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Changes in vision
• High prolactin level: unexpected breast tissue growth, nipple discharge, change in sex drive, irregular periods
• Signs of infection: fever, chills, cough, or sore throat
• Low blood pressure: dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
• Uncontrolled and repetitive body movements, muscle stiffness or spasms, tremors, loss of balance, shuffling walk

Warnings and precautions

• Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis who take this medicine are at an increased risk of death. This medicine is not approved to treat dementia-related psychosis.
• This medicine can cause tardive dyskinesia, a movement disorder with repetitive, uncontrollable movements that may become permanent.
• This medicine can cause Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), a rare but potentially fatal reaction with high fever, muscle rigidity, altered mental state, and irregular heartbeat or blood pressure.
• This medicine can lower the number of white blood cells, which raises the risk of infection.
• This medicine is not recommended for children younger than 12 years old because its safety has not been established in that age group.
• This medicine should not be used by people with circulatory collapse, coma, central nervous system depression, or blood disorders, or by those allergic to it.
• Safe use during pregnancy has not been established. This medicine should be taken during pregnancy only if the expected benefits outweigh the possible risks to mother and baby.
• It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Talk with your doctor before breastfeeding.
• Kidney: Significant kidney impairment requires clinical assessment.
• This medicine should be used with caution in people with liver disease, and your care team should know if you have liver problems before you start taking it.
• Avoid alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can add to drowsiness, sedation, or dangerously low blood pressure, and may increase the risk of severe drowsiness or slowed breathing.
• This medicine may cause drowsiness or dizziness and affect alertness and coordination. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medication affects you.

Storage

• Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F)
• Protect from light
• Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date
• Keep out of the reach of children
• Store in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light
• Keep from freezing
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed
• Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use

When to see a doctor

• Get medical help right away if you have signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Seek medical care immediately if you have symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome, such as very stiff muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, or fast or uneven heartbeats.
• Call your doctor right away if you notice uncontrolled movements of your face, tongue, or body, which could be signs of tardive dyskinesia.
• Seek help if you notice signs of infection like fever, chills, cough, sore throat, or unusual weakness, which could mean a drop in blood cell counts.
• If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, get emergency medical help right away.
• Call your doctor right away if you have trouble controlling your body temperature while taking this medicine.

Alternatives

• Aripiprazole
• Quetiapine
• Olanzapine
• Risperidone