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ALERT: U.S. Boxed Warning
The FDA-approved labeling includes a boxed warning. See Warnings/Precautions section for a concise summary of this information. For verbatim wording of the boxed warning, consult the product labeling or www.fda.gov.
Medication Safety Issues
Sound-alike/look-alike issues:
Trifluoperazine may be confused with triflupromazine, trihexyphenidyl
Stelazine® may be confused with selegiline
Pronunciation
(trye floo oh PER a zeen)
Index Terms
Generic Available
Yes
Canadian Brand Names
Pharmacologic Category
Pharmacologic Category Synonyms
Use: Labeled Indications
Treatment of schizophrenia
Use: Unlabeled/Investigational
Management of psychotic disorders; behavioral symptoms associated with dementia behavior (elderly); psychosis/agitation related to Alzheimer's dementia
Pregnancy Risk Factor
C
Lactation
Enters breast milk/not recommended (AAP rates “of concern”)
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to trifluoperazine or any component of the formulation (cross-reactivity between phenothiazines may occur); severe CNS depression; bone marrow suppression; blood dyscrasias; severe hepatic disease; coma
Warnings/Precautions
Boxed warnings:
• Dementia: See “Disease-related concerns” below.
Concerns related to adverse effects:
• Altered cardiac conduction: May alter cardiac conduction (life-threatening arrhythmias have occurred with therapeutic doses of phenothiazines).
• Anticholinergic effects: May cause anticholinergic effects (constipation, xerostomia, blurred vision, urinary retention); use with caution in patients with decreased gastrointestinal motility, paralytic ileus, urinary retention, BPH, xerostomia, or visual problems. Relative to other antipsychotics, trifluoperazine has a low potency of cholinergic blockade.
• Blood dyscrasias: Leukopenia, neutropenia, and agranulocytosis (sometimes fatal) have been reported in clinical trials and postmarketing reports with antipsychotic use; presence of risk factors (eg, pre-existing low WBC or history of drug-induced leuko-/neutropenia) should prompt periodic blood count assessment. Discontinue therapy at first signs of blood dyscrasias or if absolute neutrophil count <1000/mm3.
• Esophageal dysmotility/aspiration: Antipsychotic use has been associated with esophageal dysmotility and aspiration; use with caution in patients at risk of pneumonia (ie, Alzheimer's disease).
• Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS): May cause extrapyramidal symptoms, including pseudoparkinsonism, acute dystonic reactions, akathisia, and tardive dyskinesia (risk of these reactions is high relative to other neuroleptics). Risk of dystonia (and possibly other EPS) may be greater with increased doses, use of conventional antipsychotics, males, and younger patients.
• Hepatic effects: Liver damage and jaundice of the cholestatic type of hepatitis have been reported with use.
• Hyperprolactinemia: Use associated with increased prolactin levels; clinical significance of hyperprolactinemia in patients with breast cancer or other prolactin-dependent tumors is unknown.
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS): May be associated with NMS; monitor for mental status changes, fever, muscle rigidity, and/or autonomic instability.
• Ocular effects: May cause pigmentary retinopathy, and lenticular and corneal deposits, particularly with prolonged therapy.
• Orthostatic hypotension: May cause orthostatic hypotension; use with caution in patients at risk of this effect or in those who would not tolerate transient hypotensive episodes (cerebrovascular disease, cardiovascular disease, hypovolemia, or concurrent medication use which may predispose to hypotension/bradycardia).
• Sedation: May cause sedation, which may impair physical or mental abilities; patients must be cautioned about performing tasks which require mental alertness (eg, operating machinery or driving).
• Temperature regulation: Impaired core body temperature regulation may occur; caution with strenuous exercise, heat exposure, dehydration, and concomitant medication possessing anticholinergic effects.
Disease-related concerns:
• Cardiovascular disease: Use with caution in patients with severe cardiovascular disease.
• Dementia: [U.S. Boxed Warning]: Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotics are at an increased risk of death compared to placebo. Most deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (eg, heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (eg, pneumonia) in nature. Trifluoperazine is not approved for the treatment of dementia-related psychosis.
• Glaucoma: Use with caution in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma; condition may be exacerbated by cholinergic blockade.
• Hepatic impairment: Use with caution in patients with hepatic impairment; contraindicated in patients with pre-existing hepatic damage.
• Myasthenia gravis: Use with caution in patients with myasthenia gravis; condition may be exacerbated by cholinergic blockade.
• Parkinson's disease: Use with caution in patients with Parkinson's disease; they may be more sensitive to adverse effects.
• Renal impairment: Use with caution in patients with renal impairment.
• Seizure disorder: Use with caution in patients at risk of seizures, including those with a history of seizures, head trauma, brain damage, alcoholism, or concurrent therapy with medications which may lower seizure threshold.
Concurrent drug therapy issues:
• Antiemetic effects: May mask toxicity of other drugs or conditions (eg, intestinal obstruction, Reye's syndrome, brain tumor) due to antiemetic effects.
• Sedatives: Effects may be potentiated when used with other sedative drugs or ethanol.
Special populations:
• Elderly: Use with caution in the elderly; increased risk for developing tardive dyskinesia, particularly elderly women.
• Pediatrics: Safety and efficacy have not been established in children <6 years of age.
Adverse Reactions
Frequency not defined.
Cardiovascular: Hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, cardiac arrest
Central nervous system: Extrapyramidal symptoms (pseudoparkinsonism, akathisia, dystonias, tardive dyskinesia), dizziness, headache, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), impairment of temperature regulation, lowering of seizure threshold
Dermatologic: Increased sensitivity to sun, rash, discoloration of skin (blue-gray), photosensitivity
Endocrine & metabolic: Changes in menstrual cycle, libido (changes in), breast pain, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, gynecomastia, lactation, galactorrhea
Gastrointestinal: Constipation, weight gain, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, xerostomia
Genitourinary: Difficulty in urination, ejaculatory disturbances, urinary retention, priapism
Hematologic: Agranulocytosis, leukopenia, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura, eosinophilia, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia
Hepatic: Cholestatic jaundice, hepatotoxicity
Neuromuscular & skeletal: Tremor
Ocular: Pigmentary retinopathy, cornea and lens changes
Respiratory: Nasal congestion
Metabolism/Transport Effects
Substrate of CYP1A2 (major)
Drug Interactions
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibitors (Central): May enhance the neurotoxic (central) effect of Antipsychotics. Severe extrapyramidal symptoms have occurred in some patients. Risk C: Monitor therapy
Alcohol (Ethyl): CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Alcohol (Ethyl). Risk C: Monitor therapy
Amphetamines: Antipsychotics may diminish the stimulatory effect of Amphetamines. Risk C: Monitor therapy
Analgesics (Opioid): Antipsychotic Agents (Phenothiazines) may enhance the hypotensive effect of Analgesics (Opioid). Risk C: Monitor therapy
Antacids: May decrease the absorption of Antipsychotic Agents (Phenothiazines). Risk C: Monitor therapy
Anticholinergics: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of other Anticholinergics. Exceptions: Paliperidone. Risk C: Monitor therapy
Antimalarial Agents: May increase the serum concentration of Antipsychotic Agents (Phenothiazines). Risk C: Monitor therapy
Anti-Parkinson's Agents (Dopamine Agonist): Antipsychotics (Typical) may diminish the therapeutic effect of Anti-Parkinson's Agents (Dopamine Agonist). Risk D: Consider therapy modification
Beta-Blockers: Antipsychotic Agents (Phenothiazines) may enhance the hypotensive effect of Beta-Blockers. Beta-Blockers may decrease the metabolism of Antipsychotic Agents (Phenothiazines). Antipsychotic Agents (Phenothiazines) may decrease the metabolism of Beta-Blockers. Exceptions: Atenolol; Levobunolol; Metipranolol; Nadolol. Risk C: Monitor therapy
CNS Depressants: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of other CNS Depressants. Risk C: Monitor therapy
CYP1A2 Inducers (Strong): May increase the metabolism of CYP1A2 Substrates. Risk C: Monitor therapy
CYP1A2 Inhibitors (Moderate): May decrease the metabolism of CYP1A2 Substrates. Risk C: Monitor therapy
CYP1A2 Inhibitors (Strong): May decrease the metabolism of CYP1A2 Substrates. Risk D: Consider therapy modification
Lithium formulations: May enhance the neurotoxic effect of Antipsychotics. Lithium formulations may decrease the serum concentration of Antipsychotics. Specifically noted with chlorpromazine. Risk C: Monitor therapy
Methotrimeprazine: CNS Depressants may enhance the CNS depressant effect of Methotrimeprazine. Methotrimeprazine may enhance the CNS depressant effect of CNS Depressants. Management: Reduce adult dose of CNS depressant agents by 50% with initiation of concomitant methotrimeprazine therapy. Further CNS depressant dosage adjustments should be initiated only after clinically effective methotrimeprazine dose is established. Risk D: Consider therapy modification
Pramlintide: May enhance the anticholinergic effect of Anticholinergics. These effects are specific to the GI tract. Risk D: Consider therapy modification
Tetrabenazine: May enhance the adverse/toxic effect of Antipsychotics. Risk C: Monitor therapy
Ethanol/Nutrition/Herb Interactions
Ethanol: Avoid ethanol (may increase CNS depression).
Herb/Nutraceutical: Avoid kava kava, gotu kola, valerian, St John's wort (may increase CNS depression). Avoid dong quai, St John's wort (may also cause photosensitization).
Mechanism of Action
Trifluoperazine is a piperazine phenothiazine antipsychotic which blocks postsynaptic mesolimbic dopaminergic receptors in the brain; exhibits alpha-adrenergic blocking effect and depresses the release of hypothalamic and hypophyseal hormones
Pharmacodynamics/Kinetics
Metabolism: Extensively hepatic
Half-life elimination: >24 hours with chronic use
Dosage
Oral:
Children 6-12 years: Schizophrenia/psychoses: Hospitalized or well-supervised patients: Initial: 1 mg 1-2 times/day, gradually increase until symptoms are controlled or adverse effects become troublesome; maximum: 15 mg/day
Adults:
Schizophrenia/psychoses:
Outpatients: 1-2 mg twice daily
Hospitalized or well-supervised patients: Initial: 2-5 mg twice daily with optimum response in the 15-20 mg/day range; do not exceed 40 mg/day
Nonpsychotic anxiety: 1-2 mg twice daily; maximum: 6 mg/day; therapy for anxiety should not exceed 12 weeks; do not exceed 6 mg/day for longer than 12 weeks when treating anxiety; agitation, jitteriness, or insomnia may be confused with original neurotic or psychotic symptoms
Elderly:
Schizophrenia/psychoses:
Refer to adult dosing. Dose selection should start at the low end of the dosage range and titration must be gradual.
Behavioral symptoms associated with dementia behavior (unlabeled use): Initial: 0.5-1 mg 1-2 times/day; increase dose at 4- to 7-day intervals by 0.5-1 mg/day; increase dosing intervals (bid, tid, etc) as necessary to control response or side effects. Maximum daily dose: 40 mg. Gradual increases (titration) may prevent some side effects or decrease their severity.
Hemodialysis: Not dialyzable (0% to 5%)
Monitoring Parameters
Vital signs; lipid profile, fasting blood glucose/Hgb A1c; BMI; mental status, abnormal involuntary movement scale (AIMS)
Reference Range
Therapeutic response and blood levels have not been established
Test Interactions
False-positive for phenylketonuria
Dietary Considerations
May be taken with food to decrease GI distress.
Patient Education
Use exactly as directed; do not increase dose or frequency. Do not discontinue without consulting prescriber. Tablets may be taken with food. Do not take within 2 hours of any antacid. Avoid alcohol or caffeine and other prescription or OTC medications not approved by prescriber. Maintain adequate hydration unless instructed to restrict fluid intake. You may experience excess drowsiness, lightheadedness, dizziness, or blurred vision (use caution driving or when engaging in tasks requiring alertness until response to drug is known); nausea or vomiting (small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, chewing gum, or sucking lozenges may help); constipation (increased exercise, fluids, fruit, or fiber may help); postural hypotension (use caution climbing stairs or when changing position from lying or sitting to standing); urinary retention (void before taking medication); ejaculatory dysfunction (reversible); decreased perspiration (avoid strenuous exercise in hot environments); or photosensitivity (use sunscreen, wear protective clothing and eyewear, and avoid direct sunlight). Report persistent CNS effects (eg, trembling fingers, altered gait or balance, excessive sedation, seizures, unusual movements, anxiety, abnormal thoughts, confusion, personality changes); chest pain, palpitations, rapid heartbeat, severe dizziness; unresolved urinary retention or changes in urinary pattern; altered menstrual pattern, changes in libido, swelling or pain in breasts (male or female); vision changes; skin rash, irritation, or changes in color of skin (gray-blue); or worsening of condition. Pregnancy/breast-feeding precautions: Inform prescriber if you are or intend to become pregnant. Breast-feeding is not recommended.
Geriatric Considerations
Elderly are more susceptible to hypotension and neuromuscular reactions.
Many elderly patients receive antipsychotic medications for inappropriate nonpsychotic behavior. Before initiating antipsychotic medication, the clinician should investigate any possible reversible cause; any stress or stress from any disease can cause acute “confusion” or worsening of baseline nonpsychotic behavior. Most commonly acute changes in behavior are due to increases in drug dose or addition of new drug to regimen; fluid electrolyte loss; infections; and changes in environment.
Any changes in disease status in any organ system can result in behavior changes.
In the treatment of agitated, demented, elderly patients, authors of meta-analysis of controlled trials of the response to the traditional antipsychotics (phenothiazines, butyrophenones) in controlling agitation have concluded that the use of neuroleptics results in a response rate of 18%. Clearly neuroleptic therapy for behavior control should be limited with frequent attempts to withdraw the agent given for behavior control.
Additional Information
Do not exceed 6 mg/day for longer than 12 weeks when treating anxiety. Agitation, jitteriness, or insomnia may be confused with original neurotic or psychotic symptoms.
Anesthesia and Critical Care Concerns/Other Considerations
Do not exceed 6 mg/day for >12 weeks when treating anxiety; agitation, jitteriness or insomnia may be confused with original neurotic or psychotic symptoms.
Dental Health: Effects on Dental Treatment
Key adverse event(s) related to dental treatment: Significant hypotension may occur, especially when the drug is administered parenterally; orthostatic hypotension is due to alpha-receptor blockade, the elderly are at greater risk for orthostatic hypotension. Xerostomia (normal salivary flow resumes upon discontinuation).
Tardive dyskinesia: Prevalence rate may be 40% in elderly; development of the syndrome and the irreversible nature are proportional to duration and total cumulative dose over time. Extrapyramidal reactions are more common in elderly with up to 50% developing these reactions after 60 years of age. Drug-induced Parkinson's syndrome occurs often; akathisia is the most common extrapyramidal reaction in elderly.
Dental Health: Vasoconstrictor/Local Anesthetic Precautions
Most pharmacology textbooks state that in presence of phenothiazines, systemic doses of epinephrine paradoxically decrease the blood pressure. This is the so called “epinephrine reversal” phenomenon. This has never been observed when epinephrine is given by infiltration as part of the anesthesia procedure.
Mental Health: Comment
Older antipsychotic medications (chlorpromazine, haloperidol), which do not meet specific criteria for “atypical” antipsychotics, are often referred to as typical antipsychotics. They are associated with the troubling side effect, EPS. However, it is commonly believed that in order for a drug to treat psychosis, it must block dopamine is some manner.
Common side effects include sedation and neuroleptic effect (reduced initiative, interest in the environment, and display of emotion or affect). All typical antipsychotics are considered to be equally effective if given in equipotent doses. An inverse relationship exists between intrinsic antimuscarinic activity and propensity to cause extrapyramidal side effects. If dystonia or pseudoparkinsonism occurs, antiparkinsonian agents should be considered. If akathisia occurs, beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), benzodiazepines, or antiparkinsonian agents should be considered. Tardive dyskinesia (TD) secondary to typical antipsychotics has an estimated incidence of 3% to 5% per year for the first 5 years of treatment. After this time period, the incidence is estimated to be 2% to 3% per year. Prevalence rates are ~15% to 20%. Female gender and age constitute risk factors for TD. Indeed, prevalence rates have been reported to be as high as 70% in elderly females. No specific treatment exists for TD, however, patients are often initiated on/switched to an atypical antipsychotic because of their lower incidence to cause TD and hopes of suppression.
Typical antipsychotics are usually only indicated for schizophrenia, but are generally effective for mania and psychosis and/or behavioral syndromes secondary to other mental conditions. Nonpsychiatric uses include Tourette's syndrome, Huntington's disease, and occasionally, intractable hiccups, pruritus, nausea, and vomiting.
These drugs are thought to exert their antipsychotic activity by blocking dopamine D2 receptors in the mesolimbic dopaminergic pathway. Side effects are often related to their ability to antagonize dopamine receptors in the nigrostriatal and tuberoinfundibular pathways.
Coadministration of two or more antipsychotics does not generally improve clinical response and may increase the potential for adverse effects.
In 2008, the FDA issued a warning regarding increased mortality risk with typical and atypical antipsychotic drugs when used in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis.
Nursing: Physical Assessment/Monitoring
Assess other medications patient is taking for effectiveness and interactions. Review ophthalmic exam and monitor laboratory results, therapeutic effectiveness (according to rationale for therapy), and adverse reactions at beginning of therapy and periodically with long-term use. Initiate at lower doses and taper dosage slowly when discontinuing. Assess knowledge/teach patient appropriate use, interventions to reduce side effects, and adverse symptoms to report.
Dosage Forms
Excipient information presented when available (limited, particularly for generics); consult specific product labeling.
Tablet: 1 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg
Pricing: U.S. (www.drugstore.com)
Tablets (Trifluoperazine HCl)
2 mg (60): $29.99
5 mg (60): $34.99
10 mg (60): $46.99
References
“American Academy of Pediatrics Committee on Drugs. The Transfer of Drugs and Other Chemicals Into Human Milk,” Pediatrics, 2001, 108(3):776-89.
Beighton PH and Wilkinson DJ, “Trifluoperazine Overdosage,” Practitioner, 1967, 199(189):73-4.
FitzGerald MX and FitzGerald O, “Reaction to Trifluoperazine Abuse,” Lancet, 1969, 1(7605):1100.
Gill SS, Bronskill SE, Normand SL, et al, “Antipsychotic Drug Use and Mortality in Older Adults With Dementia,” Ann Intern Med, 2007, 146(11):775-86.
National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE), National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health , “Schizophrenia. Core Interventions in the Treatment and Management of Schizophrenia in Primary and Secondary Care (Updated),” National Clinical Practice Guideline Number 82, 2009:1-399. Available at www.nice.org.uk/cg082
Peabody CA, Warner MD, Whiteford HA, et al, “Neuroleptics and the Elderly,” J Am Geriatr Soc, 1987, 35(3):233-8.
Rabins PV, Blacker D, Rovner BW, et al, “Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Alzheimer's Disease and Other Dementias,” October, 2007. Available at http://www.psych.org/psych_pract/treatg/pg/prac_guide.cfm
Risse SC and Barnes R, “Pharmacologic Treatment of Agitation Associated With Dementia,” J Am Geriatr Soc, 1986, 34(5):368-76.
Saltz BL, Woerner MG, Kane JM, et al, “Prospective Study of Tardive Dyskinesia Incidence in the Elderly,” JAMA, 1991, 266(17):2402-6.
Schneeweiss S, Setoguchi S, Brookhart A, et al, “Risk of Death Associated With the Use of Conventional Versus Atypical Antipsychotic Drugs Among Elderly Patients,” CMAJ, 2007, 176(5): 627-32.
Seifert RD, “Therapeutic Drug Monitoring: Psychotropic Drugs,” J Pharm Pract, 1984, 6:403-16.
International Brand Names
Lexi-Comp.com
Last full review/revision October 2009
Content last modified October 2009
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