From the Guidelines
Fluanxol (flupentixol) can cause several side effects, including drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and weight gain, as well as more concerning effects like extrapyramidal symptoms and hormonal changes, as reported in a study published in 2020 1.
Common Side Effects
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Constipation
- Weight gain
Concerning Side Effects
- Extrapyramidal symptoms, such as tremors, muscle stiffness, restlessness, and involuntary movements
- Akathisia (inner restlessness and inability to sit still)
- Tardive dyskinesia (involuntary, repetitive body movements)
- Hormonal effects, including increased prolactin levels, which can lead to breast enlargement, sexual dysfunction, and menstrual irregularities
Serious but Rare Side Effects
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (characterized by high fever, muscle rigidity, and altered mental status)
- Blood disorders
- Cardiac effects, such as QT prolongation It is essential for patients to be aware of these potential side effects and to contact their healthcare provider immediately if they experience severe side effects, particularly high fever, confusion, irregular heartbeat, or unusual movements, as these can be indicative of serious complications 1.
Management of Side Effects
Patients should be closely monitored for the development of side effects, and their treatment plan should be adjusted accordingly to minimize the risk of adverse effects while maximizing the therapeutic benefits of Fluanxol 1.
From the Research
Fluanxol Side Effects
- Fluanxol, also known as flupentixol, is a typical antipsychotic medication used to treat schizophrenia and other psychiatric disorders.
- According to a study published in 2007, flupentixol was found to be non-inferior to risperidone in the treatment of negative symptoms in patients with chronic schizophrenia 2.
- The study also found that flupentixol improved depressed mood and cognitive symptoms, with effect sizes favoring flupentixol.
- However, the study noted that flupentixol was associated with more adverse events, including extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), and required more frequent prescription of anticholinergic drugs to alleviate these symptoms 2.
Comparison with Other Antipsychotics
- A study published in 2006 compared the efficacy and safety of risperidone and olanzapine in patients with schizophrenia, and found that both drugs were associated with a high rate of adverse events, including EPS and weight gain 3.
- Another study published in 2005 found that risperidone was more likely to be associated with EPS than olanzapine, based on the use of anticholinergic agents as a proxy for EPS 4.
- A study published in 2007 found that quetiapine may be inferior to olanzapine and risperidone in symptomatic patients with schizophrenia, based on a randomized, open-label study of algorithm-based antipsychotic treatment 5.
Common Side Effects
- Common side effects of fluanxol include:
- Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)
- Weight gain
- Sedation
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Blurred vision
- According to a study published in 2012, olanzapine was associated with significant body weight gain, but there were no significant group differences on weight gain compared to risperidone and first-generation antipsychotics (FGAs) 6.