What is Clopixol Acuphase?

Clopixol Acuphase is an antipsychotic drug that is administered as an injection by a health professional to treat acute psychosis. This condition is characterized by delusions, hallucinations, anxiety, and disorganized speech. Treatment with Clopixol Acuphase is usually required on a short-term basis as most episodes of acute psychosis will only last for one to two weeks. The greatest cause of acute psychosis is stress. The goal of treatment for these patients is to decrease their symptoms and increase their cognitive abilities.

How Does Clopixol Acuphase Work?

A doctor or other healthcare professional administers the Clopixol Acuphase injection into the muscle of the buttocks. The active ingredient of Clopixol Acuphase is called Zuclopenthixol Acetate; its sedative effects work rapidly so that a patient will not act combatively. Zuclopenthixol Acetate makes its way to the brain and blocks a range of receptors, dopamine receptors in particular.

Dopamine is an important brain chemical (neurotransmitter) that takes part in sending messages between brain cells and is also involved with behavior and mood regulation. As Clopixol Acuphase prevents the over activity of dopamine; the symptoms of acute psychosis begin to fade and the patient returns to rational behavior.

Treating Acute Psychosis

Acute psychosis is also known as a brief psychotic disorder. It generally lasts more than one day but less than one month and usually appears as a result of experiencing some event or situation that was very traumatic, such as a death of a loved one. There is a break from reality and the person begins to hallucinate and see or hear things that are not real. They have a problem concentrating and may become anxious or depressed. This type of mental break and its treatment is brief, but may involve hospital admission during this time to assure treatment is working. Follow up with an oral form of Clopixol may be required.

Information Your Doctor Should Know

A medical history and list of current OTC and Rx drugs you take or use, including herbal and vitamin supplements, and whether you are pregnant or breast feeding is important to know before undergoing treatment, as Clopixol Acuphase may not be safe for you or can increase your risk for side effects. If you are undergoing injections as an out-patient, do not drink alcohol, use street drugs, or take other meds without your doctor’s knowledge.

Possible Side Effects of Clopixol Acuphase

• Sleepiness
• Headache/migraine
• Blurry vision
• Changes in appetite/weight
• Dry mouth of increased salivation

Other Antipsychotic Drugs

• Clopixol (oral)
• Thorazine
• Haldol