Navane

1 What is Navane?

Brand: Navane

Generic: Thioxanthene

Navane is a group of medicine used in treating mental, nervous, and emotional conditions. The medicine is thought to affect the specific areas of the brain, thus the improvement in such conditions. This drug is only available with a doctor’s prescription.

2 What To Know Before Using

Before using Navane, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it.

Before using this medicine, you and your doctor must consider the following:

Allergies: If you have any unusual reaction to any medicine, be sure to tell your doctor about it. Additionally, disclose other types of allergies - foods, preservatives, animals, or dyes, if there are any. Read the package ingredients carefully and make sure you are not allergic to any of its ingredients.

Pediatric: Children taking this drug are more likely to experience side effects like tic-like movements, twitching, muscle spasms particularly on the face, back and neck, weakness of the legs and arms, and twisting of the body.

Geriatric: The elderly are more sensitive to the effects of this drug, which may result in side effects, such as constipation, drowsiness, dizziness, fainting, dryness of the mouth, or trembling of fingers and hands. Elderly patients who are using this drug often experience the symptoms of tardive dyskinesia.

Pregnancy: No adequate studies are done in pregnant women. However, several animal studies show that using this drug during pregnancy does not show evidence of birth defects. Nonetheless, using this also show a decrease in fertility and successful pregnancy rate.

Breastfeeding: While there are no adequate studies done to show that this drug passes into breast milk, similar medicines are known to pass into breast milk, which may cause increased risk for the nursing baby. Discuss any potential risks and benefits before using this drug while breastfeeding.

Drug Interactions: Certain medicines have adverse effects when used together. Nevertheless, it is still possible to take other medicines when taking this drug. Make sure to inform your doctor about other drugs you are taking, so that alterations and precautions will be made if necessary.

Using this with certain medicines needs utmost caution because the combination may result in certain side effects. Before taking this drug, talk to your doctor about possible interactions if you are taking other medications, both prescription and over-the-counter.

Your doctor may not prescribe you thioxanthene if you are using certain medications, such as metoclopramide, hydrocodone, hydromorphone, milnacipran, lithium, oxymorphone, zotepine, or tramadol.

Other Medical Problems: The use of this medicine may be affected if you have other medical conditions.

Inform your doctor if you have any other health issues, especially, alcohol abuse, blood disease, enlarged prostate, glaucoma, heart disease, blood vessel disease, Parkinson’s disease, lung disease, urination problems, or stomach ulcers, since using this drug can only make these conditions worse.

If you have liver disease, increased chance of side effects is possible due to higher levels of thioxanthenes in the blood.

Patients with Reye’s syndrome may have an increased risk of liver problems when this drug is taken, while people with seizure problems may have an increased number of seizures while taking this drug.

3 Proper Usage

To use Navane properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. Take this drug with food or an 8-oz glass of milk or water to minimize stomach irritation. Oral thiothixene solution must be diluted before intake.

Use the included specially marked dropper to measure the prescribed amount. You may mix the drug with water, milk, juice, soup or other beverages (including carbonated drinks).

Dosing: In treating psychosis in adults and teenagers aged 12 and up, the usual dose for chlorprothixene form is 25-50 mg, 3-4 times a day. For children 6-12 years old, the usual dose is 10-2 mg, 3-4 times a day.

For injection form, the usual dose for adults and teenagers 12 years old and up, the usual dose is 25-50 mg, injected intramuscularly, 3-4 times a day.

The dose for children below 12 years must be determined by the doctor. In treating psychosis, usual dose for flupentixol, tablet form, is 1 mg three times a day for adults, which may be increased according to your doctor’s advice.

Missed Dose: Take the missed dose as soon as possible. In case it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one and follow your regular dosing schedule. Never take double doses.

Storage: Keep the medicine in an airtight container at normal room temperature. Keep it away from direct light, heat, and moisture. Do not let it freeze. Keep the medicine out of children’s reach.

Throw away any outdated medicine or medicine that are not in use. Keep the medicine in its original package until needed.

4 Precautions to Take

Before using Navane, there are some precautions you must take. Regular checkups are important to monitor your progress and to see if the drug is working properly.

Do not stop intake without your doctor’s advice. Your dose may be needed to gradually reduce before completely stopping intake of thioxanthene to prevent side effects and your condition from getting worse.

Using this drug increases the effects of CNS depressants and alcohol. It is advisable to avoid using or taking alcohol or CNS depressants while using this drug.

Do not take thioxanthene within an hour of taking antidiarrheal drugs and antacids. Taking this medicine with these drugs reduces the necessary effects.

Using this drug can make you drowsy and less alert. Avoid any activities that require your full alertness when taking this drug.

Moreover, using this medicine may make you sweat less, which may result in increased body temperature. While using this medicine, take extra care during hot weather or while doing any exercise to avoid overheating, which may lead to heat stroke.

Using this drug may increase your skin’s sensitivity to UV rays. Sun exposure, even in short periods, may result in itching, redness, skin discoloration, or severe sunburn.

While using this medicine, avoid direct sunlight, particularly the hot sun between 10 am and 3 pm. Wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and a hat, if possible. You may also want to use a sunscreen with high SPF to help block the sun. do not use tanning beds and sunlamps.

The long-lasting injection may have effects that last up to 3 weeks. Take extra precaution during this period.

5 Potential Side Effects

While not all people taking Navane may suffer from these side effects, you may need to call your doctor if any of these are present:

  • Muscle stiffness
  • Unusual tiredness
  • Fever
  • Fast heartbeat
  • Breathing difficulties
  • Loss of bladder control
  • Increased sweating
  • Seizures

If any of the side effects become bothersome or do not go away after a few days, consult your doctor.

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