Why is this drug
prescribed?
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Stelazine is used for the treatment of
schizophrenia (severe disruptions in thought and
perception). It is also prescribed for anxiety that does
not respond to ordinary tranquilizers.
Most important fact about this
drug
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Stelazine may cause tardive dyskinesia--a
condition marked by involuntary muscle spasms and
twitches in the face and body. This condition may be
permanent and appears to be most common among the
elderly, especially women. Ask your doctor for
information about this possible risk.
How should you take this
medication?
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If taking Stelazine in a liquid
concentrate form, you will need to dilute it with a
liquid such as a carbonated beverage, coffee, fruit
juice, milk, tea, tomato juice, or water. You can also
use puddings, soups, and other semisolid foods. Stelazine
should be diluted just before you take
it.
You should not take Stelazine with
alcohol.
--If you miss a dose...
If you take 1 dose a day, take the dose
you missed as soon as you remember. Then go back to your
regular schedule. If you do not remember until the next
day, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular
schedule.
If you take more than 1 dose a day, take
the dose you missed if it is within an hour or so of the
scheduled time. If you do not remember until later, skip
the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do
not take 2 doses at once.
--Storage instructions...
Store at room temperature. Protect the
concentrate from light.
What side effects may
occur?
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Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any
develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as
soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is
safe for you to continue taking
Stelazine.
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Side effects may include:
Abnormal secretion of milk, abnormal sugar in urine,
abnormalities in movement and posture, agitation,
allergic reactions (sometimes severe), anemia,
asthma, blood disorders, blurred vision, body rigidly
arched backward, breast development in males, chewing
movements, constipation, constricted pupils,
difficulty swallowing, dilated pupils, dizziness,
drooling, drowsiness, dry mouth, ejaculation
problems, exaggerated or excessive reflexes,
excessive or spontaneous flow of milk, eye problems
causing a state of fixed gaze, eye spasms, fatigue,
fever or high fever, flu-like symptoms, fluid
accumulation and swelling (including the brain),
fragmented movements, headache, heart attack, high or
low blood sugar, hives, impotence, inability to
urinate, increase in appetite and weight, infections,
insomnia, intestinal blockage, involuntary movements
of tongue, face, mouth, jaw, arms, and legs,
irregular blood pressure, pulse, and heartbeat,
irregular or no menstrual periods, jitteriness,
light-headedness (especially when standing up), liver
damage, lockjaw, loss of appetite, low blood
pressure, mask-like face, muscle stiffness and
rigidity, nasal congestion, nausea, persistent,
painful erections, pill-rolling movement, protruding
tongue, puckering of mouth, puffing of cheeks, purple
or red spots on the skin, rapid heartbeat,
restlessness, rigid arms, feet, head, and muscles,
seizures, sensitivity to light, shuffling walk, skin
inflammation and peeling, skin itching, pigmentation,
reddening, or rash, spasms in jaw, face, tongue,
neck, hands, feet, back, and mouth, sweating,
swelling of the throat, totally unresponsive state,
tremors, twisted neck, weakness, yellowing of skin
and whites of
eyes
Why should this drug not be
prescribed?
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You should not be using Stelazine if you
have liver damage, or if you are taking central nervous
system depressants such as alcohol, barbiturates, or
narcotic pain relievers. Stelazine should not be used if
you have an abnormal bone marrow or blood
condition.
Special warnings about this
medication
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You should use Stelazine cautiously if you
have ever had a brain tumor, breast cancer, intestinal
blockage, the eye condition called glaucoma, heart or
liver disease, or seizures. Be cautious, too, if you are
exposed to certain pesticides or extreme heat. Be aware
that Stelazine may hide the signs of overdose of other
drugs and may make it more difficult for your doctor to
diagnose intestinal obstruction, brain tumor, and the
dangerous neurological condition called Reye's
syndrome.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had an
allergic reaction to any major tranquilizer similar to
Stelazine.
Dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and tremors
can result if you suddenly stop taking Stelazine. Follow
your doctor's instructions when discontinuing this
drug.
Tell your doctor immediately if you
experience symptoms such as a fever or sore throat,
mouth, or gums. These signs of infection may signal the
need to stop Stelazine treatment. Notify your doctor,
too, if you develop flu-like symptoms with
fever.
This drug may impair your ability to drive
a car or operate potentially dangerous machinery,
especially during the first few days of treatment. Do not
participate in any activities that require full alertness
if you are unsure about your
ability.
If you have any trouble with your vision,
tell your
doctor.
Stelazine concentrate contains a sulfite
that may cause allergic reactions in some people,
especially in those with
asthma.
Stelazine can cause a group of symptoms
called Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome. Signs are high
body temperature, rigid muscles, irregular pulse or blood
pressure, rapid or abnormal heartbeat, and excessive
perspiration.
Possible food and drug interactions
when taking this
medication
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Extreme drowsiness and other potentially
serious effects can result if Stelazine is combined with
alcohol, tranquilizers such as Valium, narcotic
painkillers such as Percocet, antihistamines such as
Benadryl, and barbiturates such as
phenobarbital.
If Stelazine is taken with certain other
drugs, the effects of either could be increased,
decreased, or altered. It is especially important to
check with your doctor before combining Stelazine with
the following:
Antiseizure drugs such as Dilantin
Atropine (Donnatal)
Blood thinners such as Coumadin
Guanethidine
Lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith)
Propranolol (Inderal)
Thiazide diuretics such as Dyazide
Special information
if you are pregnant or
breastfeeding
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Pregnant women should use Stelazine only
if clearly needed. The effects of Stelazine during
pregnancy have not been adequately studied. If you are
pregnant or plan to become pregnant, inform your doctor
immediately. Stelazine appears in breast milk and may
affect a nursing infant. If this medication is essential
to your health, your doctor may have you discontinue
breastfeeding while you are taking it.
Recommended
dosage
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ADULTS
Nonpsychotic Anxiety
Doses usually range from 2 to 4 milligrams
daily. This amount should be divided into 2 equal doses
and taken twice a day. Do not take more than 6 milligrams
a day or take the medication for more than 12
weeks.
Schizophrenia
The usual starting dose is 4 to 10
milligrams a day, divided into 2 equal doses; doses range
from 15 to 40 milligrams daily.
CHILDREN
Doses are based on the child's weight and
the severity of his or her symptoms.
Schizophrenia in Children 6 to 12 Years Old Who Are
Closely Monitored or Hospitalized
The starting dose is 1 milligram a day,
taken all at once or divided into 2 doses. Your doctor
will increase the dosage gradually, up to 15 milligrams a
day.
OLDER ADULTS
Older people usually take Stelazine at
lower doses. Because you may develop low blood pressure
while taking this drug, your doctor will watch you
closely. Older people (especially older women) may be
more susceptible to tardive dyskinesia--a possibly
permanent condition characterized by involuntary muscle
spasms and twitches in the face and body. Consult your
doctor for information about these potential
risks.
Overdosage
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Any medication taken in excess can have
serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose of
Stelazine, seek medical help
immediately.
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Symptoms of Stelazine overdose may include:
Agitation, coma, convulsions, difficulty breathing,
difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, extreme sleepiness,
fever, intestinal blockage, irregular heart rate, low
blood pressure,
restlessness
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