Fluanxol Description

Whether you are battling depression or schizophrenia, your doctor may prescribe Fluanxol or generic Flupenthixol (also spelled Flupentixol). This is a thioxanthene antipsychotic drug that can help treat the symptoms of depression and schizophrenia and help you overcome the feelings of sadness, mood swings, disturbed thoughts, and a disinterest in things you once took pleasure in. The generic alternative is not manufactured by the company that makes the brand product.

Balancing Brain Chemicals Can Improve Mental Disorders

Although the exact way Fluanxol works to reduce the symptoms of your disorder is not completely clear, it is believed that it is a potent antagonist of the D1 and D2 dopamine receptors. Dopamine is one of the neurotransmitters, or brain chemicals, that are responsible for transmitting signals in your brain. By binding to the dopamine receptor, the level of this neurotransmitter is decreased while levels of other neurotransmitters, namely serotonin and noradrenaline, will increase.

Serotonin and noradrenaline are responsible for your moods and thinking so you experience less confusion and your mood improves to decrease the risk of feeling like you want to harm yourself. Fluanxol is not a cure for depression or schizophrenia, but it will reduce your symptoms.

Conditions Treated by Fluanxol

The symptoms of schizophrenia are different for every individual and are categorized as positive, negative, and cognitive. The positive symptoms include delusions, hallucinations, confused thinking, and psychomotor skills such as clumsiness or repetitive actions. Negative symptoms are those that indicate a loss or reduction in your ability to express emotions, speak, or you become withdrawn. Cognitive symptoms include attention and memory problems.

Schizophrenia seems to affect men and women the same, with men exhibiting symptoms earlier. Once diagnosed with schizophrenia, your doctor can prescribe Fluanxol to reduce your symptoms and enable you to work, take care of your treatment, and enjoy family and friends.

Before Fluanxol is Prescribed

Ask your doctor about any risks with taking Fluanxol when you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breast feeding. To determine if Fluanxol is safe for you, advise your doctor of other medical conditions or allergies you have and list any OTC or Rx drugs you currently take or use, including herbal remedies and dietary or vitamin supplements.

Your doctor may also recommend group or talk therapy so you can learn about your mental disorder and know how to deal with ‘bad days’ to avoid slipping into a depressive state or shutting your family and friends out.

Fluanxol Precautions

Until you know how Fluanxol will affect you, avoid driving, operating machinery, or performing any task that may be considered unsafe if you are not alert. Tell your partner, spouse, or close friends that you are taking Fluanxol so they can watch for any indications that your symptoms have not changed or have become worse so you can revisit your doctor. Keep Fluanxol and other drugs out of children’s reach and never share them with anyone else.

Possible Side Effects of Fluanxol

• Dizziness
• Headache
• Decreased libido
• Changes to your menstrual cycle

Drugs Similar to Fluanxol

• Trilafon
• Clopixol
• Mellaril