Periciazine - Oral

Periciazine is used to treat schizophrenia (long-term mental disorder that causes changes in thoughts, feelings, and behaviour) and psychoses (loss of contact with reality).

This medicine is also used to treat other mood-related disorders such as anxiety, psychomotor agitation (restlessness with excessive or uncontrollable movement), and aggressive or impulsive behaviour.

Take Periciazine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

This medicine is available as a tablet or oral syrup.

If you are taking the tablet, swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.

If you are taking the oral syrup, shake the bottle well before you take the medicine to ensure that the liquid is evenly mixed. Use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure your dose.

Try to take it at the same time each day.

Periciazine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly as it may worsen your condition. Your doctor will gradually reduce the dose before stopping it completely. Follow your doctor's instructions carefully.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• brain damage
• severe drowsiness or impaired concentration
• history of blood problems e.g. very low levels of white blood cells
• at risk of urinary retention (inability to completely empty the bladder when urinating) due to prostate or urinary problems
• untreated epilepsy (fits or seizures)
• history of liver problems
• phaeochromocytoma (rare tumour of the adrenal gland causing high blood pressure)
• at risk of angle-closure glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)

as Periciazine may not be suitable for you.

Do not give this medicine to children below 1 year old.

Periciazine may also not be suitable for individuals who are in a coma or comatose condition.

If you are going to have a surgical procedure where you must undergo anaesthesia (medicines to block pain and sensation) administered in the spine, inform your doctor that you are taking this medicine.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• heart disease
• risk factors for stroke
• irregular or abnormal heartbeat
• electrolyte imbalance (imbalance of essential minerals in the body) e.g. hypokalaemia (low potassium level in the blood), hypomagnesaemia (low magnesium level in the blood)
• risk factors for blood clot
• history of epilepsy (fits or seizures)
• head injury
• Parkinson's disease (disorder that affects the movement of a person, causing symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and impaired balance or walking)
• dementia (a group of symptoms affecting thinking, memory, and social abilities)
• hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)
• diabetes
• breast cancer
• myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness disorder)
• enlarged prostate gland
• lung disease
• sensitivity to ultraviolet (UV) rays from sunlight and other sources of light
• disease of the blood vessels supplying the brain
• low volume of circulating fluids in the body
• Alzheimer's disease (a progressive disease which destroys memory and other important mental functions)
• paralytic ileus (bowel obstruction caused by slow movement or paralysis of the intestines)

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Periciazine to a child aged 1 year and above. Children may be more sensitive to the side effects.

This medicine is not approved for use in elderly patients with mood disorders related to dementia.

Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?

Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.

• Routine tests (e.g. liver and kidney function, thyroid function, blood cholesterol, sugar or electrolyte levels, eye examination, complete blood count) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will tell you how often you need these tests.
• Your blood pressure may fall to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure regularly during treatment.
• Regular monitoring of mental status and alertness, and uncontrolled body movements, may also be needed.

What lifestyle changes should I make?

Periciazine may affect the ability of your body to adjust to temperature changes in the environment. Avoid exposure to very cold or very hot environments. Avoid strenuous exercise and activities like going to the sauna. Drink more water to prevent dehydration.

Periciazine may cause drowsiness or blurred vision. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert or need to see clearly.

This medicine may cause your blood pressure to fall suddenly when you get up from a sitting or lying down position and you may feel giddy. To minimise this problem, stand up slowly.

Periciazine may also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Apply sunscreen when going outdoors and avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV lamps.

Other side effects include any of the following: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, blocked or stuffy nose, increased appetite, involuntary rhythmic shaking of the hands or legs, sweating, and difficulty sleeping.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• muscle rigidity, fever and mental status changes
• irregular or abnormal heartbeat
• rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
• confusion, feeling sleepy, unusual thirst or hunger, passing urine more often, fruity-smelling breath
• yellowing of the skin or eyes, abdominal pain, dark coloured urine, tiredness, swelling in the legs and ankles
• changes in sex drive, swelling or enlargement of the male breasts
• fever, muscle cramps or stiffness, dizziness, very bad headache, change in thinking, fast heartbeat, increased sweating
• trouble controlling body movements or problems with the tongue, face, mouth, or jaw; tongue sticking out, puffing cheeks, mouth puckering, or chewing

This medicine may cause the level of your white blood cells and platelets to drop.

White blood cells help your body to fight infections. A fall in the level of your white blood cells may put you at higher risk for infections, such as coughs, colds and flu, which may lead to more serious infections. Avoid crowded places and people who are sick. Inform your doctor if you have a fever, cough, or flu that does not go away.

Platelets help your blood to clot when there is a cut in the skin. A fall in the level of your platelets may put you at risk of bleeding more than usual. Do not take part in activities where you may fall or get injured, such as contact sports. Inform your doctor if you get any unusual bruising (large bruises or several bruises, especially if the bruises appeared on their own) or bleeding that takes a long time to stop (for example, too much bleeding when you floss or brush your teeth).

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• medicines for irregular heartbeat
• medicines to treat depression e.g. amitriptyline
• medicines used to treat Parkinson's disease e.g. levodopa
• antacids (medicines that reduce stomach acid production)
• medicines for high blood pressure e.g. propranolol, guanethidine
• other medicines for mood disorders e.g. lithium
• medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. carbamazepine, phenobarbital

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Periciazine.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol. Alcohol intake may worsen the drowsiness caused by Periciazine.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Protect from light.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.