Thioridazine, Oral

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KEY POINTS

• This medicine is taken by mouth to treat mental disorders such as schizophrenia. Take it exactly as directed.
• You may get infections more easily while taking this medicine.
• Keep all appointments for tests to see how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause unwanted side effects. Older adults with dementia are at greater risk for side effects. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that are serious, continue, or get worse.
• Taking this medicine with certain other medicines may cause a serious, life-threatening irregular heart beat. Tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take.

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What are other names for this medicine?

Type of medicine: antipsychotic; neuroleptic; phenothiazine

Generic and brand names: thioridazine, oral

What is this medicine used for?

This medicine is used to treat mental disorders such as schizophrenia.

This medicine should only be used when other medicines have not worked or you cannot take other medicines. Your healthcare provider will explain.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as determined by your healthcare provider.

What should my healthcare provider know before I take this medicine?

Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:

• An allergic reaction to any medicine
• A low white blood cell count
• Alzheimer's disease or dementia
• Asthma or other breathing problems
• Blood or bone marrow disorder
• Brain damage or coma
• Breast cancer
• Depression or thoughts of suicide
• Glaucoma
• Heart disease or an irregular heartbeat
• High or low blood pressure
• Kidney or liver disease
• Long QT syndrome (problems with electrical activity in the heart muscle)
• Myasthenia gravis
• Parkinson's Disease
• Pheochromocytoma (a tumor of the adrenal gland)
• Problems with low levels of potassium or magnesium in your blood
• Problems with alcohol or drug abuse
• Seizures
• Trouble urinating or an enlarged prostate gland
• Trouble swallowing

Tell your provider about ALL of the medicines you take. Taking this medicine with certain other medicines, including certain antibiotics, antidepressants, heart, and many others, may cause a serious, life-threatening irregular heart beat.

Females of childbearing age: Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while taking this medicine. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking with this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Taking this medicine during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems for the baby. Symptoms the baby may have include agitation, tight muscles, floppy muscles, shaking, trouble breathing, or trouble feeding. Talk with your provider about this.

How do I use it?

Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose. Take this medicine exactly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not take more of it or take it longer than prescribed. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. You may have to reduce your dosage gradually.

You may take this medicine with food or milk to lessen stomach upset. Do not take this medicine within 2 hours of taking an antacid such as Mylanta, Maalox, or Amphojel.

Check with your healthcare provider before using this medicine in children.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.

What if I overdose?

If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: uncontrollable movements, restlessness, seizures, severe dizziness, fainting, coma, very deep sleep, irregular heartbeat, fever.

What should I watch out for?

This medicine may cause a serious, life-threatening irregular heartbeat. You may need to have an electrocardiogram before you start taking this medicine and several times during treatment. If you have a fast, irregular, or pounding heartbeat, dizziness, or fainting, contact your healthcare provider right away.

You will need to have blood tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments.

Older adults with dementia are at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your provider about this.

This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.

You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help. Also, drinking alcohol may make it worse. Do not drink alcohol unless your healthcare provider approves.

This medicine increases the effects of alcohol and other medicines that slow down your nervous system. Do not drink alcohol or take other medicines unless your healthcare provider approves.

While taking this medicine, be careful when you exercise, especially when it is hot. This medicine affects your body's ability to cool down, and you may get too hot. If you get too hot, you might vomit, feel dizzy, have a fast heartbeat, get very stiff muscles, or be confused. Contact your provider right away if you have these symptoms.

You may get infections more easily while taking this medicine. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have any signs of infection such as fever, chills, or sore throat. Also, contact your healthcare provider if you have unusual bruising or bleeding or unusual tiredness or weakness.

This medicine can cause changes in your eyes. Have eye exams at least once a year while you are taking this medicine.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to the sun, which may lead to painful sunburns. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.

Using this medicine for a long time may cause muscle spasms, twitching in the face and body, and uncontrolled tongue or jaw movement. Adults over the age of 65 may be at great risk for these side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.

This medicine may cause you to gain weight. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.

If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine. This medicine may interfere with some lab tests. For example, a pregnancy test may come back positive even though you are not pregnant.

What are the possible side effects?

Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.

Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help.): Allergic reaction (hives, itching, rash, trouble breathing, tightness in your chest, swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat), severe confusion or coma, drooling, fast or irregular heartbeat, high fever, changes in blood pressure, increased sweating, loss of bladder control, severe muscle stiffness, trouble speaking or swallowing, seizures.

Serious (Report these to your healthcare provider right away.): Unusual movements of tongue, mouth, hands, and other muscles; tremors; problems with balance or walking; changes in vision; severe dizziness or fainting; yellowing of your skin or eyes; dark urine; severe nausea or vomiting; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusual bruising or bleeding; sore throat; fever; cough; trouble urinating; severe drowsiness; unusual changes in mood; thoughts, or behavior; thoughts of suicide; severe restlessness.

Other: Drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, sensitivity to sun, headache, restlessness, trouble sleeping, stuffy nose, breast swelling, changes in menstrual cycle, nausea, skin color changes, changes in sexual ability or desire.

What products might interact with this medicine?

When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:

• Alfuzosin (Uroxatral)
• Anagrelide (Agrylin)
• Antacids (Take antacids at least 2 hours before or 2 hours after you take this medicine.)
• Antianxiety medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), buspirone, clonazepam (Klonopin), clorazepate (Gen-Xene, Tranxene), diazepam (Valium), lorazepam (Ativan), and oxazepam
• Antibiotics such as azithromycin (Zithromax, Zmax), bedaquiline (Sirturo), ciprofloxacin (Cipro), clarithromycin (Biaxin), erythromycin (E.E.S., Ery-Tab, Erythrocin), levofloxacin (Levaquin), linezolid (Zyvox), moxifloxacin (Avelox), ofloxacin, pentamidine (NebuPent, Pentam), and telithromycin (Ketek)
• Anticholinergic medicines such as atropine/diphenoxylate (Lomotil), benztropine (Cogentin), darifenacin (Enablex), dicyclomine (Bentyl), hyoscyamine (HyoMax, Levbid, Levsin), methscopolamine (Pamine), propantheline, and trihexyphenidyl
• Antidepressants such as amitriptyline, citalopram (Celexa), desipramine (Norpramin), duloxetine (Cymbalta), escitalopram (Lexapro), fluoxetine (Prozac), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Tofranil), nefazodone, nortriptyline (Pamelor), sertraline (Zoloft), trazodone, and venlafaxine (Effexor)
• Antifungal medicines such as fluconazole (Diflucan), itraconazole (Sporanox), ketoconazole (Nizoral), posaconazole (Noxafil), terbinafine (Lamisil), and voriconazole (Vfend)
• Antihistamines such as azelastine (Astelin, Astepro), chlorpheniramine (Chlor-Trimeton), diphenhydramine (Benadryl), and hydroxyzine (Vistaril)
• Antiseizure medicines such as carbamazepine (Carbatrol, Epitol, Equetro, Tegretol), clobazam (Onfi), phenobarbital, phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek), primidone (Mysoline), and valproic acid (Depacon, Depakene, Depakote)
• Beta blockers such as acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol), nadolol (Corgard), pindolol, and sotalol (Betapace, Sorine)
• Bupropion (Aplenzin, Forfivo, Wellbutrin, Buproban, Zyban)
• Cancer medicines such as abiraterone (Zytiga), arsenic trioxide (Trisenox), crizotinib (Xalkori), nilotinib (Tasigna), sorafenib (Nexavar), sunitinib (Sutent), tamoxifen, toremifene (Fareston), vandetanib (Caprelsa), and vemurafenib (Zelboraf)
• Celecoxib (Celebrex)
• Cimetidine (Tagamet)
• Cinacalcet (Sensipar)
• Clonidine (Catapres, Kapvay)
• Decongestants such as oxymetazoline (Afrin, Dristan), phenylephrine (Neo-Synephrine, Sudafed PE), and pseudoephedrine (Sudafed)
• Dextromethorphan, an ingredient in many cough, cold, or allergy medicines such as Robitussin-DM
• Dextromethorphan/quinidine (Nuedexta)
• Diuretics (water pills) such as chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), methyclothiazide (Enduron), and metolazone (Zaroxolyn)
• Doxepin (Silenor)
• Eliglustat (Cerdelga)
• Epinephrine (Adrenalin, Asthmanefrin, Auvi-Q, EpiPen)
• Fingolimod (Gilenya)
• Heart medicines such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), disopyramide (Norpace), dofetilide (Tikosyn), dronedarone (Multaq), flecainide, procainamide, propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine, and ranolazine (Ranexa)
• HIV medicines such as delavirdine (Rescriptor), lopinavir/ritonavir (Kaletra), ritonavir (Norvir), saquinavir (Invirase), and tipranavir (Aptivus)
• Isoniazid
• Lithium (Lithobid)
• Lorcaserin (Belviq)
• Malaria medicines such as artemether/lumefantrine (Coartem), chloroquine, mefloquine, primaquine, and quinine
• MAO inhibitors such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), and tranylcypromine (Parnate) (Do not take this medicine and an MAO inhibitor within 14 days of each other.)
• Medicines to treat breathing or lung problems such as aclidinium (Tudorza), arformoterol (Brovana), formoterol (Perforomist), ipratropium (Atrovent), salmeterol (Serevent), tiotropium (Spiriva), umeclidinium (Incruse Ellipta), and vilanterol (Breo Ellipta)
• Metoclopramide (Metozolv, Reglan)
• Mifepristone (Korlym, Mifeprex)
• Migraine medicines such as almotriptan (Axert), dihydroergotamine (D.H.E. 45, Migranal), eletriptan (Relpax), ergotamine (Ergomar), frovatriptan (Frova), naratriptan (Amerge), rizatriptan (Maxalt), sumatriptan (Alsuma, Imitrex, Sumavel), and zolmitriptan (Zomig)
• Milnacipran (Savella)
• Mirabegron (Myrbetriq)
• Muscle relaxants such as baclofen (Gablofen, Lioresal), carisoprodol (Soma), cyclobenzaprine (Amrix), dantrolene (Dantrium), methocarbamol (Robaxin), orphenadrine (Norflex), and tizanidine (Zanaflex)
• Natural remedies such as dong quai, gotu kola, kava, SAMe, St. John's wort, tryptophan, and valerian
• Nausea medicines such as dolasetron (Anzemet), droperidol (Inapsine), ondansetron (Zofran), and promethazine
• Nicardipine (Cardene)
• Octreotide (Sandostatin)
• Other antipsychotic medicines such as aripiprazole (Abilify), asenapine (Saphris), brexpiprazole (Rexulti), clozapine (Clozaril, FazaClo), haloperidol (Haldol), iloperidone (Fanapt), paliperidone (Invega), pimozide (Orap), quetiapine (Seroquel), risperidone (Risperdal), and ziprasidone (Geodon)
• Pain medicines such as codeine, fentanyl (Abstral, Actiq, Duragesic, Fentora, Sublimaze), hydrocodone/acetaminophen (Norco, Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Exalgo), meperidine (Demerol), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin), oxycodone (OxyContin, Roxicodone), oxycodone/acetaminophen (Percocet, Roxicet), pentazocine (Talwin), tapentadol (Nucynta), and tramadol (ConZip, Ultram)
• Parkinson’s disease medicines such as apomorphine (Apokyn), bromocriptine (Cycloset, Parlodel), entacapone (Comtan), levodopa/carbidopa (Duopa, Rytary, Sinemet), pramipexole (Mirapex), and ropinirole (Requip)
• Paroxetine (Brisdelle, Paxil, Pexeva)
• Pasireotide (Signifor)
• Propranolol (Hemangeol, Inderal, InnoPran)
• Sleeping pills such as butabarbital (Butisol), flurazepam, suvorexant (Belsomra), temazepam (Restoril), triazolam (Halcion), zaleplon (Sonata), and zolpidem (Ambien, Edluar, Intermezzo)
• Stimulants such as amphetamine/dextroamphetamine (Adderall), armodafinil (Nuvigil), dexmethylphenidate (Focalin), dextroamphetamine (Dexedrine), lisdexamfetamine (Vyvanse), methamphetamine (Desoxyn), methylphenidate (Concerta, Daytrana, Metadate, Ritalin), and modafinil (Provigil)
• Tetrabenazine (Xenazine)
• Thalidomide (Thalomid)

Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine.

If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.

How should I store this medicine?

Store the medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.

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This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.

Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.

Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.

Do not share medicines with other people.