Here is a detailed, brand-free overview of Fluphenazine Injection 25 mg/mL:
💉 Fluphenazine Decanoate Injection 25 mg/mL
✅ DESCRIPTION
Fluphenazine Decanoate is a long-acting injectable antipsychotic used primarily in the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders. It belongs to the first-generation (typical) antipsychotics, specifically the phenothiazine group.
🧪 FORMULATION
- Active Ingredient: Fluphenazine Decanoate 25 mg/mL
- Dosage Form: Oil-based depot injection
- Vehicle: Sesame oil with 2% benzyl alcohol (as preservative)
- Route of Administration: Intramuscular (IM) only
- Packaging: Glass ampoules or multi-dose vials (1 mL, 2 mL)
🌿 NATURE
- Class: Typical antipsychotic (Phenothiazine group)
- Type: Long-acting depot formulation
- Mechanism of Action:
- Strong dopamine D2 receptor antagonist
- Reduces psychotic symptoms by decreasing dopamine transmission in the brain
💊 USES
- Maintenance therapy in schizophrenia
- Psychotic disorders requiring long-term treatment
- Beneficial for patients with poor compliance to oral therapy
- Sometimes used in chronic psychosis in bipolar disorder (off-label)
🌟 ADVANTAGES
- Long-acting: Injection given every 2–4 weeks
- Improves compliance in patients with poor adherence
- Stable drug levels over time
- Useful in chronic psychosis with reduced relapse rate
⚠️ PRECAUTIONS
⚕️ Common Side Effects:
- Extrapyramidal symptoms (tremor, rigidity, dystonia)
- Akathisia (restlessness)
- Sedation
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Weight gain
🚨 Serious Risks:
- Tardive dyskinesia (long-term risk)
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) — rare, life-threatening
- Prolonged QT interval (cardiac monitoring recommended in some cases)
- Hepatic impairment
- Local injection site reactions
❗ Contraindications:
- Severe depression or CNS depression
- Bone marrow suppression
- Parkinson’s disease
- Hypersensitivity to fluphenazine or sesame oil
💉 DOSING GUIDELINES
| Use | Dose |
|---|---|
| Initial dose (IM) | 12.5–25 mg (test dose) |
| Maintenance dose | 12.5–100 mg every 2 to 4 weeks |
| Adjustment interval | Based on patient response and tolerability |
- Onset of action: Delayed (24–72 hours)
- Duration: 2–4 weeks per injection
🧊 STORAGE
- Store at 15°C to 25°C (room temperature)
- Protect from light and freezing
- Do not refrigerate (oil may thicken)
- Keep ampoules/vials tightly sealed