Uses and side effects of Deprex tablets

What is Deprex?

Deprex is a brand of olanzapine manufactured by Square Pharmaceuticals, India. It is a drug prescribed for psychosis and bipolar disorder.

When administered as an injection, it quite useful for treating acutely disturbed patients who are unable take oral medications. Its principal side effects are drowsiness, weight gain, and problems with blood sugar patients predisposed to diabetes.

Uses of Deprex

Deprex can be used in a wide variety of mental disorders

·         Schizophrenia—Deprex is effective in managing the symptoms Schizophrenia including delusions, hallucinations, disturbed or unusual thinking, loss of interest in life, and strong or inappropriate emotions.

·         Bipolar disorder—This exhibits itself as an extreme and often persistent mood swings that can disrupt a person’s day to day functioning. Mania and depression can be sometimes accompanied by psychotic symptoms such as auditory hallucinations and grandiose delusions. Deprex is found to be effective in treating both the manic and depressive phases of the illness and it stabilizes the mood of the patients.

·         Depression—Current evidence suggest that in combination with Prodep (Fluoxetine), Deprex is quite effective in treating depression resulting in bipolar disorder.

·         Controlling disturbed patients—Deprex have a sedative and calming profile and patients with acutely disturbed behavior, especially psychotic patients. Deprex is available as both intramuscular injection and rapid ingestion tablets that dissolves quickly inside the mouth.

How to Take Deprex

Deprex comes as a pill in an Aluminium wrapping or as orally disintegrating tablet (tablet that dissolves quickly in the mouth). Usual dosage is once a day.

You need to follow the prescription carefully, and need to ask your doctor or your if you do not understand what it says. You need to take the medication as exactly as directed by the psychiatrist. You should not take more or less of the medication.

Orally dissolving tablets will quickly dissolve in the mouth and do not have an unpleasant aftertaste.

Usually, your doctor start you on a low dose of Deprex then gradually increase the dose.

It is very important to understand that this medication would control your symptoms, but will not cure your underlying condition. In addition, it may take around several weeks or may be longer before you feel the full benefit of the treatment. It is also very important to continue to take the medication even though you feel well.

Do not stop the medication without explicit advice from your doctor.

Picture of bipolar illness depicting both mania and depression

Warnings and Precautions Before You Take Deprex

·         Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to olanzapine or any other medications and food stuffs

·         Tell your doctor or pharmacist the prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you take or plan to take because this could affect your treatment.

·         Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had a stroke, a mini-stroke, heart disease or a heart attack, an irregular heartbeat, fits, breast cancer,

·         Any condition that makes it difficult for you to swallow,

·         High or low blood pressure,

·         a high level of fats (cholesterol and triglycerides) in your blood,

·         a low number of white blood cells,

·         liver or prostate disease, Stomach problems, glaucoma (an eye condition),

·         High blood sugar, or if you or anyone in your family has or has ever had diabetes.

·         Tell your doctor if you have severe vomiting or diarrhea

·         Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, especially if you are in the last few months of your pregnancy, or whether you plan to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.

·         If you become pregnant while taking olanzapine, call your doctor immediately.

• Olanzapine may cause problems in newborns after delivery

·         It is very important You should know that Deprex may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you.

·         You should know that alcohol can add to the drowsiness

·         Cigarette smoking may decrease the level of blood levels of this medication.

You should not smoke as it will reduce blood level of this medication causing less effect

Important Warning Before Taking Deprex

Newer Studies have shown that patients with dementia (a brain disorder that affects the ability to remember, think clearly, communicate, and perform daily activities and that may cause changes in mood and personality) who take medication similar to deprex

Senior citizens with dementia may also have a greater chance of having a stroke or mini-stroke during treatment with deprex.

Side Effects of Deprex

·         Drowsiness

·         Dizziness

·         Restlessness

·         Unusual behavior

·         Sleep difficulties

·         Weakness

·         Difficulty in walking

·         Constipation

·         Weight gain is common

·         Dry mouth

·         Pain in various body parts

·         Breast enlargement 

·         Late or missed periods

·         Decreased sexual potency

Some can be serious, call your doctor immediately. If you experience any of the following symptoms,

·         Seizures (Fits)

·         Visual disturbances

·         Swelling of the arms, hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs

·         Sore throat, fever, chills with rigors, and other signs of infection

·         Very stiff muscles

·         Excess sweating

·         Fast or irregular heartbeat

·         Rash

·         Hives

·         Difficulty breathing or swallowing

Overdose Symptoms

Symptoms of overdose may include:

·         Excessive Drowsiness

·         Slurred speech

·         Fast heartbeat

·         Sudden movements that you cannot control or extrapyramidal side effects

·         Coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)

If any of this symptoms are experienced, call the doctor immediately.

Please note that this author does not have any affiliation to Square Pharma, India or Deprex. The only purpose for this article is to highlight the uses and side effects of this medication. Always see a doctor before starting any treatment.

Uses and side effects of Anxit tablets

Anxit is an Indian brand name of Generic Alprazolam manufactured by Micro pharmaceuticals. It is prescribed for anxiety disorders and in sleep problems. At lower doses it is helpful in reducing anxiety while causing minimal drowsiness. Most common side effects are drowsiness, fatigue and addiction. This medication can be habit forming in long term use. 

Anxit tablets

Uses of Anxit tablets

This tablet is primarily used to treat anxiety. At 0.25mg thrice a day, it is effective in treating sudden anxiety. It is helpful for people who experience anxiety in social situations such as social phobia. In addition, it is helpful in treating sudden panic attacks. However, it is not recommended to long term use in panic attacks.

In addition to above uses it can be used in treating epilepsy. However, it is rarely used for this purpose. 

This medication is used primarily to reduce anxiety

Dose range and use of Anxit tablets

This medication comes in 0.25mg and 0.5 tablets. Usually it is used thrice a day. It should not be crushed before use as it will increase the side effects. In addition, it should be taken with full glass of water.

This medication should not be used as a long term anti-anxiety medication. It is because it has habit forming properties and it can cause adverse effects upon discontinuation. In addition, in long term use some people may need increasing doses to get the same effect. So it is advisable to take it short term (Usually less than 3 months).

Common side effects

This medication is known to cause sedation and drowsiness. It can interfere with operating machinery and driving. Therefore, it is very important not to operate machinery or drive while on this medication. In addition, please state your occupation before getting the prescription from your doctor.

This medication interfere with normal sleep pattern. Therefore, some people may not experience natural sleep while on this medication. They may not feel refreshed following sleep.

This medication can cause problems with operating machinery

Some people may get suicidal ideation and this medication is known to precipitate depressive episodes. Other common side effects are impairment in memory, confusion, and fatigue. Confusion is much more common among elderly people who takes this medication.

This medication can interfere with driving

List of common side effects of Anxit tablets

1.       Sedation

2.       Drowsiness

3.       Dizziness

4.       Loss of quality sleep

5.       Depression

6.       Disinhibition

7.       Aggression

8.       Memory impairment

9.       Confusion

10.    Fatigue

Rare side effects of Anxit tablets

1.       Sexual difficulties

2.       Allergic reactions

3.       Headache

4.       Difficulty in walking

You need to discuss following information with your doctor before getting prescription

1.       Kidney disease

2.       Pregnancy status

3.       Breastfeeding

4.       Liver disease

5.       Breathing problem such as Asthma

6.       Clinical depression

7.       Myasthenia gravis

Summary

Anxit is a prescription only benzodiazepine class medication. Its generic name is Alprazolam. It is prescribed in Anxiety disorders and prescribed to induce sleep as well. Its main side effects are sedation, drowsiness, confusion and memory impairment.

Petril tablets uses and side effects

Petril ® is a clonazepam (benzodiazepine) brand manufactured in India. It is prescribed in epilepsy, anxiety disorders and in sleep problems. Most commonly reported side effects are drowsiness, dizziness, light headedness and problems in walking (ataxia).

In addition to the side effects mentioned above it has habit forming properties (Needing more dose to get the same effect especially sleep and getting unpleasant withdrawal symptoms when it is stopped) in long term use.

Petril 2mg tablets from MICRO pharma

Uses of Petril ®

This medication is used primarily to treat epilepsy. However, it is used in combination with other types of anti-epileptic medications. In psychiatry practice, it is used to calm down disturbed patients and to treat sleep problems.

In treating sleep problems, it is important to identify the cause for sleep problems and practice sleep hygiene techniques before getting pharmaceutical treatment.

Most common causes for sleep problems are psychiatry and medical problems. Common psychiatry problems are depression and anxiety disorders. Sleep problem settle once the underlying cause is treated.

Sleep hygiene techniques should be tried before taking this medication

Sleep hygiene techniques that could be tried before taking this medication

1. Use the bed only for sleep
2. Do not sleep in the day
3. Do not take alcohol, coffee, coke or chocolate (Caffeine) just before sleep
4. When you are unable to sleep then get up from the bed and do something else for some time
5. Try to make the sleeping environment comfortable, quiet and calm 
6. Overall exercise improves sleep, but try not to do vigorous exercise just before sleep

Dosage and how to take it

Petril ® is prescribed in 0.5mg to 4mg dose range. Most common dose is 1mg and 2mgs. It is taken at night therefore drowsiness would not interfere with day to day activities. Since this medication has long half-life (30 – 40 hrs), it is prescribed once a day.

To minimize side effects do not crush the medication. Take it with a meal and with a full glass of water. Do not exceed the dose prescribed by the doctor. Since it has abuse potential, do not take this without doctor’s prescription.

This medication should be taken long term with close medical supervision. It is because of its habit forming properties and quite severe withdrawal reaction.

Side effects of Petril ®

A list of common side effects

1. Drowsiness
2. Dizziness
3. Unsteady gait (walking)
4. Muscle weakness

It is very important that drowsiness and lightheadedness may persists into next day when you have taken this medication at night. Therefore, it is very important that you need to be very careful when driving or operating machinery.

IMPORTANT ! Operating machinery can become problematic when you are on this medication

IMPORTANT ! You should be careful when driving vehicles while on this medication

Uncommon side effects of Petril ® 

1. Headache
2. Vertigo
3. Slurred speech
4. Low blood pressure or hypotension
5. Tremors of hands and body
6. Urine incontinence and retention: - Common in elderly people
7. Rare side effects 
8. Respiratory depression: - It is important to tell whether you have respiratory problems such as Asthma, before getting the prescription. 
9. Blood disorders
10. Skin reactions
11. Paradoxical excitation: - Can cause disinhibition and increased activity in certain group of people.

What to tell your doctor before getting the prescription?

If you have following problems or medical condition, it is very important that you tell your doctor about them.

1. Liver disease
2. Kidney disease
3. Heart disease
4. Whether you are snoring in the night: - It is an indication that you have obstructive sleep apnea. When this medication is given in obstructive sleep apnea, it can result in dangerous lowering of respiration and blood oxygen levels in sleep that may result in brain damage. People with snoring complaint about poor sleep which make it a dangerous combination. 
5. Your work and occupation
6. Any medications you are on including street drugs
7. Whether you are pregnant or breast feeding

Snoring due to sleep apnea can cause sleep problems and prescribing sleep inducing medications in them can cause serious problems. 

Summary

Petril ® is a benzodiazepine class medication and its generic name is clonazepam. It is prescribed for epilepsy and in sleep problems. Main problems associated with this medication are drowsiness, lightheadedness and habit forming properties. This medication should not be a long term solution for sleep problems.

Pictures  Courtesy : Wikimedia

Flutinol tablets uses and side effects

Flutinol is a brand of fluoxetine prescribed for clinical depression and anxiety disorders. It is an SSRI (selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor) class medication manufactured by Sun pharmaceuticals, India. Its main side effects are nausea, insomnia, sexual dysfunction and headache.

Uses of Flutinol

This medication is prescribed for major depression, anxiety disorders, bipolar depression and obsessive compulsive disorders.

Depressive disorder is characterized by persistent low mood, difficulty in doing everyday tasks and work due to lack of energy and unable experience pleasure. In addition, depressed people frequently get suicidal ideas and get ideas of hopelessness and worthlessness.

Flutinol is commonly prescribed for depression

This medication is effective for both major depressive disorder and bipolar depression. Bipolar depression is characterized by having episodes of mania (opposite of depression which is disruptive) interspersed with depressive episodes.

Flutinol is given in combination with Olanzapine (Oleanz) to treat bipolar depression. Otherwise (when given alone) there is risk of shifting to manic phase.

In addition to treating depressive disorders, this medication is effective in treating wide variety of anxiety disorders. These include panic disorder characterized by sudden out of the blue attacks of anxiety. In addition, this medication is used for generalized anxiety disorder characterized by prevailing anxious mood with worrying thoughts.

In addition, this medication is prescribed for obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD). It is usually given in higher doses in OCD.

Other indications are premature ejaculation, premenstrual syndrome and reduce sexual drive in people with abnormal sexual preferences (paraphilia).

Side effects of Flutinol

Commonest side effects are listed here

1. Nausea
2. Vomiting
3. Headache
4. Mania
5. Poor sleep
6. Sexual dysfunction: - Characterized as erectile dysfunction in men and reduced sexual desire in both women and men.  However, since depression can also cause sexual dysfunction net effect may be increased sexual function. 
7. Tremors
8. Gastric irritation and heart burn
9. Increased anxiety at the beginning of the treatment, which usually wanes after some time. 

1. Uncommon side effects
2. Aggrevation of psychosis
3. Bleeding problems
4. Reduction in blood sodium level
5. Serotonin syndrome

How is it prescribed?

Flutinol is available as capsules. Usual dose is 20mg per day. It is given in the morning to prevent interference with sleep. It should be taken fully without crushing the capsule outer coating. In addition, it should be taken with full glass of water and preferably after a meal. Taking it after a meal will reduce the side effects.

For obsession and compulsive disorder, it is prescribed at higher doses sometimes reaching 80mg per day.

Withdrawal symptoms

This medication can cause withdrawal symptoms, if it is stopped suddenly after prolonged use. Common withdrawal symptoms are tiredness, increased lacrimation, rhinorrhea and increased anxiety.

Before you take Flutinol

As with every medication, there are precautions that you might need to take into consideration. Make sure your doctor has your detailed medical history, before starting you on this medication. It is especially important that you should tell your medical problems, other medications you are on and any street drugs you are on to your doctor.

You should inform your doctor, whether you are pregnant, planning to get pregnant or breast feeding. In addition, it is especially important to tell your doctor if you are on following drugs

Other antidepressants (MAOI class of medications, TCA and SSRI class medications)
St Johns wart

Conditions you need to inform your doctor before getting prescription

1. Allergic to SSRI or fluoxetine
2. Gastric bleeding
3. Liver problems
4. Kidney problems
5. Taking alcohol
6. Having a bleeding disorder

Summary

Flutinol is an Indian brand name of fluoxetine prescribed for depression and anxiety disorders. Most common side effects are nausea, headache and gastric discomfort.

Uses and side effects of Lamosyn

Lamosyn is an Indian brand name of generic anti-epileptic lamotrigine. In addition to epilepsy, it is also prescribed for mental health problems such as bipolar affective disorder. Skin rash is the most significant side effect. In addition, this medication can cause nausea, dry mouth and unsteady walking.

Lamosyn 25mg tablets

Uses of Lamosyn

This medication is classified as an anti-epileptic. But it was found that this medication is also effective in psychiatric disorders such as Bipolar affective disorder. It is prescribed to prevent bipolar depressive episodes in patients who are in predominantly depressive phase.

25mg and 50mg tablets

Use in neurology

This medication is used in most types of epilepsies. It is used in focal and generalized seizures. In addition, it is used in Lennox – Gastaut syndrome. It is also used in typical absence seizures in children.

Use in psychiatry

 Bipolar depression is depressive phase in patients with bipolar affective disorders. Bipolar affective disorder is characterized by different phases of mood and activity. In manic phase patients have extremely elevated mood, increased energy and disruption in social function. In depressive phase, patients get exact opposite of manic phase. They get low mood, suicidal ideation, low energy and feeling of worthlessness.

Compared to major depressive disorder, depression associated with bipolar disease is challenging to treat. It is because most antidepressants do not work in bipolar depression.

Lamosyn is one of the medications that is proven to be effective in preventing depressive episodes in bipolar illness.

What are the common side effects?

Commonest side effects of this medication are nausea and vomiting. To minimize these side effects, you need to take it with a full glass of water without crushing the medication. In addition, taking this medication after a meal will reduce the stomach side effects.

Other common side effects list

1. Dry mouth
2. Dizziness
3. Tremors
4. Poor sleep
5. Vision problems
6. Rash

Skin rash is the most problematic common side effect. It can occur in 1% of individuals who take this medication. If you develop any skin problem while on Lamosyn, then stop the medication immediately and consult your doctor. Skin reactions can go into life threatening conditions. This is one reason doctors start this medication very slowly.

Skin rash that occur in 1% of patients. Courtesy : http://www.newhealthguide.org

Rare side effects of Lamosyn

1. Inflammation of eye
2. Liver failure
3. Unsteadiness in walking
4. Confusion
5. Hallucinations
6. Blood problems

Dose and administration

This medication starts with 25mg once daily for 14 days then 50mg daily for another two weeks usually up to maximum dose of 600mg per day with two weekly dose increments. Very slow increase of dose is required to prevent the rash from developing.

Pregnancy

This medication can harm the unborn child. But the discontinuation of medication in pregnancy can result in aggravation of epilepsy or bipolar depression (which may have more risk of harm to mother as well as to the baby). Therefore, continuation or discontinuation of this medication should be done by an experienced clinician.

Breast feeding

Lamosyn occur in breast milk. Again the decision to stop medication should be done by an experienced clinician.

It is very important that you should consult your doctor before planning to get pregnant and you need to use contraception to prevent unexpected pregnancies.

Summary

Lamosyn is prescribed for epilepsy and bipolar depression. Most troublesome side effect is the skin rash. In addition, it should be cautiously used in pregnancy and breast feeding under super vision of an experienced clinician.

Clofranil use and side effects

Clofranil is a brand of Clomipramine. It is prescribed for obsessive compulsive disorder and depressive disorder. Main side effects are drowsiness, feeling faintish, dry mouth and constipation. This is a TCA class antidepressant with more serotonergic actions than other TCA antidepressants. More serotonergic action makes this medication more similar to SSRI (Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors) class medication and it is more effective in OCD (Obsessive compulsive disorder).

Clofranil 50mg tablets

Uses of Clofranil

This medication is an antidepressant. It is primarily used for mental health problems such as depression and obsessive compulsive disorder. Compared to other antidepressants in this class, this medication is more effective in OCD or obsessive compulsive disorder.

This medication is useful in treating OCD (Obsessive compulsive disorder)

Obsessive compulsive disorder is a mental health problem associated with repeated thoughts or actions that are resisted.  A common example is excessive hand washing in a patient with repetitive belief that his/her hands are contaminated by germs. Usually excessive means around more than 10 times of washing hands per session. Usually the compulsion or act starts once the patient gets the thought that his hands are dirty.  

In fact, in current psychiatry practice it is used as a medication for OCD than depression. Most doctors use it as a second line treatment option for OCD, due to its unfavorable side effects profile. But according to this author's experience this medication helps patients who are resistant to SSRI medications.

What are the common side effects of Clofranil?

1. Drowsiness
2. Dry mouth
3. Constipation
4. Increased heart rate
5. Feeling faintish
6. Confusion
7. Nausea
8. Headache
9. Yawning
10. Blurred vision
11. Sexual dysfunction

Since this is a TCA (Tricyclic antidepressant) class medication, drowsiness and dry mouth is common. Usually SSRI medications do not cause such side effects.

Due to side effect of drowsiness, it will affect driving and ability to operate machinery.

Sexual dysfunction includes erectile dysfunction in males and reduced sexual desire in females.

What are the dangerous side effects?

1. Urine retention
2. Glaucoma or increased eye pressure
3. Heart block
4. Mania

Since this medication can cause serious heart problems (heart block) it is toxic when taken overdose. Therefore, it is prescribed carefully for highly suicidal patients. This medication can cause manic shift in patients with bipolar affective disorder. Urine retention can be a troublesome side effect in elderly patients.

What are rare but documented side effects of Clofranil?

1. Breast enlargement
2. Increased appetite with increased body weight
3. Getting low sodium in the blood (Hyponatremia)
4. Hallucinations
5. Epileptic Seizures
6. Flushing
7. Impaired memory
8. Muscle weakness

Things you need to discuss with your doctor?

Before getting the prescription, you need to inform your doctor if you have following medical/psychiatric conditions.

1. Any heart disease or Hypertension
2. Liver disease
3. Kidney disease
4. Bipolar affective disorder
5. Diabetes mellitus
6. Schizophrenia
7. Eye problems
8. Prostate problems in males (History of urinary retention)
9. Long standing constipation
10. History of all the medications you are on including street drugs

Compared to newer anti-depressants this medication is safe in pregnancy and breast feeding. It is due to availability of large amount of safety information.

How Clofranil is taken?

This medication is available as 50mg and 25mg tablets. Usual dose range is 50mg per day to 250mg per day. It should be taken with a full glass of water and should not be crushed before ingesting.

Summary

Clofranil is a TCA class antidepressant medication usually prescribed for OCD (Obsessive compulsive disorder) and depression. Common side effects are drowsiness and dry mouth.

Sizopin uses and side effects

Sizopin is an Indian brand name of the generic medication clozapine. It is prescribed specifically in resistant schizophrenia. However, this medication has several dangerous side effects such as reduced blood counts (agranulocytosis) and inflammation of heart muscles.

Uses of Sizopin

This is the only medication that has proven efficacy in resistant forms of Schizophrenia. It is usually prescribed when the symptoms of schizophrenia does not respond to two or more anti-psychotic medications. It is used as a third line medication, because of its potentially dangerous side effects and cumbersome monthly blood tests that has to be done in a patient on Sizopin.   

Sizopin 100mg tablets

Because of life threatening agranulocytosis (reduction of type of white cells called granulocytes in blood) it had been withdrawn from the market. But it was reintroduced due to its effectiveness in treating resistant schizophrenia, so frequent white cell counts should be done in patients who take Sizopin. Patients on Sizopin must be registered with a central monitoring agency.

Following video will explain the importance of treating treatment resistant schizophrenia by an expert in the field.

In addition, to the use in resistant schizophrenia some psychiatrists use it in patients with resistant mania, and psychosis associated with Parkinson disease/ Lewy body dementia.

Schizophrenia : Artists depiction

How Sizopin is prescribed?

This medication is prescribed usually when the patient is in a hospital. Before starting medication doctors do various blood tests including, full blood count, liver function test, electro cardiogram and a 2D echocardiogram to exclude any medical problems. It is usually started with a small dose of 12.5mg at night then it is gradually increased up to desired level. While the dose is increasing, doctors monitor patients’ blood pressure, heart rate, and emergence of side effects.

Increased heart rate is common at the initial period of therapy

Due to increased risk of fits with higher doses, doctors give this medication with anti epileptic medication such as Sodium Valproate.

At the initial period, a patient should undergo blood tests every week upto six months then two weekly up to one year and after that monthly for the rest.

It is very important not to discontinue the medication for more than 48 hours as it need to be restarted from 12.5mg after that. If you have problems with the medication then contact your doctor and do as he/she says.

Monthly blood tests should be done when you take Sizopin

Common side effects of Sizopin

Sedation (excessive sleepiness)

Sedation can be alleviated by altering the dosing schedule, so patient can take small dose at the morning and a bigger dose in the evening.

Constipation

It is a common side effect. This can be controlled by taking high fibre diet (diet with lots of fruits and vegetables) and adequate fluid intake.

Increased heart rate

Increased heart rate is a common side effect at the initial period of therapy. If it is persisting a doctor will look for heart problems.

Fever

Patient should seek medical advice. It can be due to agranulocytosis. If not, can be treated with over the counter antipyretics like acetaminophen.

Hypersalivation (Increased saliva secretion.)

This is usually a troublesome side effect. Patients sometimes discover that their pillow is soaked with saliva after getting out from sleep. Doctors can give drugs like buscopan to control salivation.

Hypertension (increased blood pressure)

It is another side effect that has to be monitored. If it is persistent doctors can start anti hypertensives. This usually occur after sometime.

Hypotension (decreased blood pressure)

Hypotension can occur at the initial treatment phase. If they have this problem, they should not get up quickly after sleep, then should be monitored closely by a doctor.

Nausea

It is a common side effect. Doctors can start anti emetics if it becomes troublesome.

Passing urine during sleep (Nocturnal Enuresis).

It is another troublesome side effect. Patients can avoid fluids in evening. When complained, doctor can alter dosing schedule. Sometimes drugs may be necessary to control enuresis.

Serious side effects

Blood problems

Sizopin is known to cause serious drop in white blood cell counts known as agranulocytosis. It is a very serious medical complication that need urgent attention. You need to contact your doctor immediately if you have developed infections, fever, and sore throat at the initial part of the therapy. It usually occur more at the initial part of the treatment. However, it affects only 0.8% of patients who takes this medication and therefore is not a common side effect.

Seizures (fits)

If patient had a seizure, drug should be withheld for at least 24 hours. Then doctor will restart with lowest possible dose. Sometimes doctors may prescribe anti epileptic drugs.

Heart problems

This medication is known to cause heart disease known as myocarditis or inflammation of the heart muscle. It occurs in early part of the illness and usually diagnosed by a doctor with electrocardiography and 2D echo.

Weight gain is another problematic side effect. It can be controlled by following proper dietary advice. This can also cause diabetes mellitus and blood lipid problems. You should inform your doctor if you have diabetes, hypertension, liver and kidney problems, heart problem or epilepsy before getting prescription of this medication.

Risk and benefit of this medication

Patients with resistant schizophrenia has serious problems in functioning and this medication can change it and around one third of patients with resistant schizophrenia can live normally with this medication. Therefore, in patients with resistant schizophrenia benefit greatly outweighs risk of taking Sizopin.

Summary

Sizopin is a medication prescribed for resistant schizophrenia. It can cause serious and annoying side effects, but for patients with resistant schizophrenia there seems to be no better alternative.