Clopixol Drops

/ Lundbeck

Adults: Dosage should be individually adjusted according to the condition of the patient. In general, small doses should be used initially and increased to the optimal effective level as rapidly as possible based on the therapeutic response. The maintenance dose can usually be given as a single dose at bedtime.
Acute schizophrenia and other acute psychoses. Usually 10-50 mg/day. In moderate to severe cases initially 20 mg/day increased, if necessary, by 10-20 mg every 2 to 3 days to 75 mg or more daily. Maximum dosage per single dose is 40 mg and a total of 150 mg/day.
Older patients: Older patients should receive dosages in the lower end of the dosage range.
Children: Clopixol is not recommended for use in children due to lack of clinical experience.
Reduced renal function: Clopixol can be given in usual doses to patients with reduced renal function.
Reduced liver function: Careful dosing and, if possible, a serum level determination is advisable.
Method of administration: The drops are easily administered mixed in e.g. water, orange juice or apple juice.

Acute schizophrenia and other acute psychoses.

Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients.
Circulatory collapse, depressed level of consciousness due to any cause (e.g. intoxication with alcohol, barbiturates or opiates), coma.

As with other neuroleptics, therapy may potentiate the effects of other CNS depressants. Should not be prescribed for patients who have previously been shown to be intolerant of thioxanthenes or other neuroleptic drugs. Unsuitable for patients whose psychoses are accompanied by features of apathy or withdrawal. It should be used with caution in patients with extrapyramidal disorders, convulsive disorders, severe arteriosclerosis, senile confusional states or advanced renal, hepatic or cardiovascular disease; cardiac disease or arrhythmias, severe respiratory disease, epilepsy (and conditions predisposing to epilepsy (e.g. alcohol withdrawal or brain damage), Parkinson? disease. The general caution for the use of neuroleptics in hypothyroidism, thyrotoxicosis, myasthenia gravis, phaeochromocytoma or prostatic hypertrophy should be observed, but there is no evidence to suggest that therapy gives rise to any particular problem in such conditions. Care should also be taken in the elderly, particularly if frail or at risk of hypothermia, and in patients with personal or family history of narrow angle glaucoma.
Pregnancy and lactation: Should not be administered during pregnancy, particularly the first and last trimesters, unless the importance of control of psychotic symptoms outweighs the theoretical hazard of the fetal malformation. Clopixol is excreted in small amounts with breast milk, therefore women should not breast-feed.

Extrapyramidal reactions in the form of acute dystonias (including oculogyric crisis). Parkinsonian rigidity, tremor, akinesia and akathisia have been reported and may occur even at low dosage in susceptible patients. Such effect would usually be encountered early in treatment, but delayed reactions may also occur. Anti-parkinson agents should not be prescribed routinely because of possible risk of causing anticholinergic side effects, precipitating toxic-confusional states or impairing therapeutic efficacy. They should only be given if required and their requirement reassessed at regular intervals. Initial drowsiness has been reported and in a few patients, slight changes in weight, occasional local reactions such as erythema, swelling or tender fibrous nodules have been reported. Tardive dyskinesia, galactorrhea and amenorrhea are adverse effects of the general group of neuroleptic drugs. The concurrent use of anticholinergic anti-parkinson drugs may exacerbate this effect. Confusional states or epileptic fits can occur. The hormonal effects of antipsychotic neuroleptic drugs include hyperprolactinemia, which may be associated with galactorrhea, gynecomastia, oligomenorrhea or amenorrhea. Sexual function including libido, erection and ejaculation is rarely impaired. Body temperature regulation, especially in the elderly, may possible be compromised. Hypothermia has been reported rarely. Jaundice and other liver abnormalities have been reported rarely. Drowsiness, sedation, dry mouth and nasal stuffiness may occur, particularly with high dosage and at the start of treatment. Postural hypotension may occur, particularly in the elderly. Other anticholinergic type side effects that should be borne in mind include blurring of vision, tachycardia, constipation and urinary hesitancy or retention. The ability to drive a car or operate machinery may be affected.

Alcohol, barbiturates and other CNS depressants. Guanethidine or similar acting compounds, tricyclic antidepressants. Levodopa, adrenergic drugs, anticonvulsants, metoclopramide, piperazine, Lithium.
See prescribing information for full details.