Fluphenazine long-acting injection

About fluphenazine long-acting injection

Fluphenazine belongs to a group of medicines called antipsychotics. You will have been prescribed it to maintain symptom control of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a mental health condition that causes disordered ideas, beliefs and experiences. Symptoms of schizophrenia include hearing, seeing, or sensing things that are not real, having mistaken beliefs, feeling unusually suspicious, and becoming withdrawn. Fluphenazine is used to relieve the symptoms of schizophrenia and other similar mental health problems. It works on the balance of chemical substances in your brain.

Long-acting, or 'depot', injections are used once your symptoms have been eased by taking tablets. The injection slowly releases fluphenazine into your body and is given every 2-5 weeks. The main advantage of a depot injection is that you do not have to remember to take tablets every day.

Before having fluphenazine long-acting injection

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start having fluphenazine injections, it is important that your doctor knows:

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• If you know you have a heart condition or blood vessel disease (such as any thickening of the arteries in your head).

• If you have any problems with the way your liver works, or if you have any problems with the way your kidneys work.

• If you have prostate problems.

• If you have a blood disorder.

• If you have any problems with your breathing.

• If you have any of the following: epilepsy, depression, Parkinson's disease, raised pressure in your eye (glaucoma), thyroid problems, or a condition which causes muscle weakness, called myasthenia gravis.

• If you have ever had yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes (jaundice).

• If you have a tumour on your adrenal gland (a condition called phaeochromocytoma).

• If you have had an allergic reaction to a medicine.

• If you are taking or using any other medicines. This includes any medicines you are taking which are available to buy without a prescription, as well as herbal and complementary medicines.

How fluphenazine long-acting injection is given

• Before you start this treatment, ask to read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. The leaflet will give you more information about fluphenazine, and it will also provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you could experience.

• Fluphenazine long-acting injection will be given to you by a doctor or nurse. If you haven't received an injection like fluphenazine before, a small dose is usually given as a test 4-7 days before you have a full dose. This is to see how well you tolerate the injection. The injection is given into a muscle in your bottom (buttocks).

• You may be asked to continue taking your currently prescribed tablets for a short while after you have had your first injection. This is because it can take a few weeks before you feel the full effect from the injection.

• Treatment with fluphenazine is usually long-term so that your symptoms don't return.

Getting the most from your treatment

• Your treatment will require careful monitoring to make sure that you get the best possible benefit from fluphenazine. Keep your regular doctor's appointments so that you get your injections on time, and your progress can be checked. If you miss an appointment for an injection, contact your doctor to arrange for another appointment as soon as possible.

• Medicines similar to fluphenazine can cause people to become more sensitive to sunlight than normal. It is recommended that you avoid strong sunlight and sunbeds, and use a sun cream with a high sun protection factor even on bright but cloudy days.

• If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor for advice about drinking while you are on fluphenazine. Alcohol can increase the chance that you experience side-effects and may not be advisable for you.

• Smoking can interfere with the way your body handles fluphenazine. If you either start smoking or quit smoking whilst you are having fluphenazine, please make sure that you tell your doctor. It is probable that your dose will need to be adjusted.

• If you have diabetes you may need to check your blood glucose more frequently, as fluphenazine can affect the levels of sugar in your blood. Your doctor will advise you about this.

• If you are having any dental treatment or an operation, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you have had a fluphenazine injection. This is important because it may interfere with the anaesthetic or painkillers you receive.

• If you buy or take any 'over-the-counter' medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable for you to take with fluphenazine.

Can fluphenazine long-acting injection cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the ones associated with fluphenazine. The best place to find a full list of the side-effects which can be associated with your injection, is from the manufacturer's printed information leaflet supplied with the medicine. Alternatively, you can find an example of a manufacturer's information leaflet in the reference section below. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Important: if you experience symptoms such as muscle stiffness, a very high temperature, feeling confused or sweaty, a fast heartbeat, and urinary incontinence, you should contact your doctor immediately. These can be signs of a rare but serious condition known as neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to the injection, speak with your doctor or pharmacist for further advice.

How to store fluphenazine long-acting injection

• Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.

• Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.

Important information about all medicines