FOXOL-0.5 (Flupenthixol Tablets)

DESCRIPTION

FOXOL is a  thioxanthene antipsychotic drug used for the treatment of schizophrenia and depression. Flupenthixol is an anxiolytic, antidepressive agent and a mood stabilizer. There is proven evidence that it reduces the rate of deliberate self harm among those who self harm repeatedly and have such feelings on a regular basis.

DOSAGE

The standard initial dosage is 1 mg as a single morning dose. After one week the dose may be increased to 2 mg if there is inadequate clinical response. Daily dosage of more than 2 mg should be in divided doses up to a maximum of 3 mg daily. Older patients should receive half the recommended dosages. Caution should be exercised in further increasing the dosage but occasional patients may require up to a maximum of 1.5 mg a day which should be given in divided doses. Flupenthixol comes as a tablet to take by mouth, with or without food.

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

Flupenthixol inhibits the central monoamine receptors, particularly the dopamine D1 and D2 receptors. Therefore, it increases the amount of serotonin and noradrenaline that controls the mood and thinking and hence improves mood.

 INDICATIONS

Flupenthixol is indicated for management of primary and secondary symptoms of psychotic disorders. Flupenthixol has outstanding results in the stabilization of mood and pessimistic activities.

 CONTRA INDICATIONS

Flupenthixol is contraindicated in patients with hypersensitivity, overactive patients, blood disorder, coma, preexisting central nervous system depression, bone-marrow depression, and breastfeeding.

MODE OF ACTION

FOXOL is believed to benefit psychotic condtions by blocking postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the brain. Thioxanthenes also produce an alpha-adrenergic blocking effect and depress the release of most hypothalamic and hypophyseal hormones. Flupenthixol is a powerful antagonist of both D1 and D2 dopamine receptors, and an alpha-adrenergic receptor antagonist. Its antipsychotic activity is thought to be related to blocks postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the CNS.                                                                          

SIDE EFFECTS

One or more of the mentioned side effects could be noticed in patients consuming Flupenthixol like rigidity, tremors, restlessness, tardive dyskinesia, sleeplessness, dryness of mouth, weight gain, sexual dysfunction, spontaneous milk secretion, and menstrual disturbances.

AVAILABILITY

FOXOL is available in strips of ten uncoated tablets containing Flupenthixol 0.5mg