Penfluridol : Therapeutic uses, Dosage & Side Effects
Penfluridol is a first-generation typical antipsychotic drug, indicated for antipsychotic treatment of chronic schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
Dose : 20-60 mg once weekly
Route : Oral
Plasma Half-life : ?
Duration of action : ?
Bioavailability : ?
Chemical formula : C28H27ClF5NO
IUPAC name : 1-[4,4-bis(4-fluorophenyl)butyl]-4-[4-chloro-3-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]piperidin-4-ol
Trade name : Semap, Flumap, Penflur, Micefal, Longoperidol
Therapeutic uses : Trifluperidol has following usage :
- Primarily indicated as anti-psychotic drug for treating psychoses particularly chronic schizophrenia. It is most effective in treating positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
- Recommended for affective withdrawal and social maladjustment.
- Can be indicated for Huntington’s disease and Gilles de Ia Tourette’s syndrome (motor and phonic tics of Tourette disorder).
- Can be for the management of the manic and mixed symptoms associated with bipolar disorder I.e. patient with elevated mood, hypomania.
- Used as anti-emetic agent thus, useful in the prevention of nausea and vomiting, particularly treatment of drug-induced nausea. It is effective in morning sickness but not in motion sickness.
- Can be used as tranquilizers to manage agitated and disruptive behavior secondary to other disorders.
- May relieve anxiety but should not be used for simple anxiety because of autonomic and extrapyramidal side effects.
- May be used for Organic brain syndromes on a short-term basis.
Side effects : Adverse effects of the Trifluperidol can occur in practically all patients and are significant in about 80% ; Trifluperidol may produce following side effects:
- CNS ailments like Sedation, drowsiness, lethargy, mental confusion, increased appetite, weight gain, aggravation of seizures
- CVS effects including Postural (orthostatic)hypotension, palpitation, inhibition of ejaculation, Q-T prolongation and cardiac arrhythmias
- Anticholinergic effects such as Dry mouth, blurring of vision, constipation, urinary hesitancy in elderly males
- Extrapyramidal disturbances (extrapyramidal symptoms EPS) such as Parkinsonism, Acute muscular dystonias, Akathisia, Malignant neuroleptic syndrome, Tardive dyskinesia
- Blue pigmentation of exposed skin,
- Corneal and lenticular opacities, retinal degeneration
Contraindications :
- It should be used cautiously in patients with seizure disorders (since it may lower the seizure threshold)or those with an increased risk for seizures, such as withdrawal from alcohol.
For detailed query or in case of uncertainty, Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.
