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

Quick overview

Thiothixene Capsule is a first-generation antipsychotic medicine belonging to the thioxanthenes class. It is used to treat schizophrenia and is taken by mouth as a capsule. It works by balancing dopamine levels in the brain to help control symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking.

What is Thiothixene Capsule

Thiothixene is a first-generation antipsychotic medicine used to treat schizophrenia, a condition that can cause a disconnection from reality. It is taken as a capsule by mouth.

Thiothixene Capsule uses

• Treats schizophrenia
• Helps control symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and disorganized thinking

Benefits of Thiothixene Capsule

• Helps control core symptoms like hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not real), delusions (false beliefs), and disorganized thinking
• Works by blocking dopamine receptors to help restore chemical balance

How Thiothixene Capsule works

Thiothixene works by balancing dopamine levels in the brain, a chemical that helps control mood, behavior, and thoughts.

Thiothixene Capsule dosage

Use exactly as prescribed by your doctor or pharmacist.

Available forms and strengths

• Capsule

Side effects of Thiothixene Capsule

Common

• Drowsiness, fatigue, or unusual tiredness
• Dry mouth or excessive saliva
• Blurred vision
• Constipation or changes in appetite
• Dizziness or feeling unsteady
• Weight gain
• Restlessness or a shuffling walk
• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea
• Fast heartbeats
• Breast swelling or discharge
• Swelling in hands or feet

Serious

• Tardive dyskinesia: uncontrollable, repetitive movements of the face, tongue, or body, which may be permanent
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: high fever, severe muscle stiffness, confusion, and fast heartbeat
• Extrapyramidal symptoms: movement disorders, muscle spasms, or severe restlessness (akathisia)
• Allergic reactions: skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Change 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, blurry vision
• Low white blood cell counts: fever, chills, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing
• Seizures
• Severe constipation

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine carries a boxed warning for increased risk of death in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis and is not approved for use in these patients. It is not recommended for use in children younger than 12 years old because safety has not been established. High doses or long-term use can cause a serious movement disorder that may not go away, especially in women or older adults. Do not use this medicine if you have a blood cell disorder or if you have drowsiness, slow breathing, weak pulse, or decreased alertness, such as after drinking alcohol or taking medicines that make you sleepy.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or trying to become pregnant. Taking antipsychotic medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause breathing problems, feeding problems, or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn.
• It may not be safe to breastfeed while using this medicine. There are no adequate studies showing the risk to infants, so ask your doctor about the risks and benefits.
• Significant kidney impairment requires clinical assessment.
• Tell your doctor if you have liver disease, since this medicine should be used with caution and may make the condition worse.
• Avoid drinking alcohol while using this medicine, as it can interfere with the medicine's effects and may cause dangerous side effects.
• You may get drowsy or dizzy. 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
• Keep from freezing
• Keep out of the reach of children
• Throw away any unused medication after the expiration date
• 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 emergency help right away for signs of an allergic reaction, such as hives, difficulty breathing, or swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor right away if you notice uncontrolled muscle movements in your face, stiffness in your neck, tightness in your throat, trouble breathing or swallowing, seizures, a light-headed feeling like you might pass out, severe constipation, signs of low white blood cell counts, or a severe nervous system reaction with stiff muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, and fast or uneven heartbeats.

Check with your doctor right away if you have symptoms that may signal tardive dyskinesia, such as lip smacking, puffing of the cheeks, worm-like tongue movements, or uncontrolled movements of the arms and legs.

If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, contact a poison control center or go to an emergency room at once.

Alternatives

• Quetiapine
• Olanzapine
• Risperidone
• Haloperidol