The generic form of Stelazine (Trifluoperazine) is used for controlling the symptoms of anxiety, tension and agitation seen in neurosis or associated with somatic conditions. It may also be used for the treatment of nausea and vomiting. This medication is also used for the management of catatonia, schizophrenia, various types of psychosis and the manic phase of manic-depressive illness. Trifluoperazine is an antipsychotic medication and affects chemicals in the brain that allow communication between nerve cells (neurotransmitters). These chemicals are known as dopamine and serotonin. It readjusts the balance of dopamine and serotonin.

Manufacturer Information

The generic form of Stelazine is Trifluoperazine. It comes from Canada by different manufacturers. It may come from other international countries. The generic form of Stelazine is available as tablets in the dosage forms of 1mg, 20 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg and 20 mg.

Stop taking Stelazine and call your doctor at once if you have one of these serious side effects:

• Blood clots
• Allergic reactions
• Extrapyramidal symptoms
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• Restlessness
• Uncontrollable movements of body, face, eyes or tongue
• High or low blood pressure
• Painful erection lasting longer than 4 hours
• Seizures
• Jaundice
• Increased blood sugar

Less serious side effects include sweating, urinary incontinence, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, nasal congestion, nausea and vomiting, headache, menstrual changes, change in libido, swelling of the breasts and milk production in both men and women, weight changes, blurred vision, a fast or irregular heartbeat, constipation, difficulty or inability to pass urine or a high temperature. Please call your doctor if you have any further concerns or questions.

Take this medication exactly as prescribed. During the first few days your doctor may gradually increase your dose to allow your body to adjust. Do not take this medication more often or increase your dose without consulting your doctor. Do not stop taking this drug suddenly without your doctor's approval. Your doctor will decide which dose is best for you. Trifluoperazine is usually taken twice-a-day. Patients with mild to moderate symptoms usually start with 1 or 2 mg twice-a-day. If necessary, dosage may be increased to 6 mg daily but above this amount, side effects are more likely to occur in some patients. Do not use the medication if are allergic to Trifluoperazine or any other ingredients in the medication, have a tumor of adrenal gland, have a serious heart disease or blood vessel disorder, have severe kidney or liver problems, suffer from anemia, low white blood cell counts or low platelets, have drowsiness, slow breathing or weak pulse, have decreased alertness caused by taking certain medicines or drinking alcohol, are going to receive anesthesia in the spine or other regions in the body, are going to have a special X-ray examination of the brain or spinal cord involving a chemical called metrizamide. Trifluoperazine may impair the mental and physical abilities required for the performance of hazardous tasks such as driving a car or operating machinery, especially during the first few days of therapy. You should be cautious when performing these tasks. Stelazine may interact with cough and cold medications, anti-anxiety agents, antidepressants, anti-seizure medicine, high blood pressure medicine, cabergoline, lithium, cisapride, atropine-like drugs, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), drugs used to aid sleep, drowsiness-causing antihistamines or other drugs (e.g., diphenhydramine), metrizamide, anesthetics used prior to surgery, medicines for Parkinson’s disease (e.g. levodopa), blood thinning medicines (anticoagulants such as warfarin), antacids, medicines for psychiatric conditions (neuroleptics), heart medicines which prolong the QT interval (e.g. quinidine, disopyramide, procainamide, amiodarone, sotalol), drugs causing electrolyte imbalances (e.g. diuretics). Trifluoperazine can add to the effects of alcohol. You should avoid consuming alcoholic beverages while on Trifluoperazine therapy.