MELLARIL

Drug Name

Mellaril (Thioridazine)

Common use

Its active component is thioridazine and it belongs to a group of medicines to so called phenothiazines. It is used to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. It changes the actions of chemicals in your brain.

Dosage and directions

Take the medicine as prescribed by your doctor. Take it with or without food. Take with food to reduce stomach irritation if stomach upset occurs. Continue to take the medicine even if you feel well.

Drug interaction

Tell you doctor if you take the following medications: anticholinergics (eg, atropine) because they may decrease the effectiveness of Thioridazine; antiarrhythmics (eg, amiodarone, quinidine), arsenic, beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), cisapride, dofetilide, droperidol, H1 antagonists (eg, astemizole, terfenadine), haloperidol, ketolides (eg, telithromycin), macrolide antibiotics (eg, erythromycin), pimozide, pindolol, quinolones (eg, sparfloxacin, levofloxacin), serotonin norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (eg, duloxetine), serotonin receptor antagonist antiemetics (eg, dolasetron), SSRI antidepressants (eg, fluoxetine, paroxetine, fluvoxamine), streptogramins (eg, dalfopristin), ziprasidone, or other medicines that may affect your heartbeat because risk of severe and possibly fatal side effects, including severe irregular heartbeat, may be increased.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if any of your medicines may affect your heartbeat; atropine, barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), narcotics (eg, codeine), or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because risk of side effects may be increased by Thioridazine; guanethidine, levodopa, or pergolide because their effectiveness may be decreased by Thioridazine

Missed dose

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose are seizures, sever drowsiness, muscle spasms, deep sleep or loss of consciousness; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; tremors; trouble urinating; twitching.

Storage

Store it at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C), in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep it out of the reach of children and away from pets.