Clopixol (Zuclopenthixol (Hydrochloride, Acetate, Decanoate))
Complete patient guide for uses, dosage, side effects, and safety information
Prescription RequiredQuick Facts
What Is Clopixol Used For?
Clopixol contains active ingredients that help correct chemical imbalances in the brain which may cause mental illness. It comes in three forms: tablets for daily use, Acuphase injections for acute episodes, and Depot injections for long-term prevention.
Primary Uses
Clopixol tablets treat acute and long-term schizophrenia and other mental illnesses with disturbances in thinking, emotional reactions and behavior. They also treat the manic phase of manic-depressive illness. Clopixol Acuphase injection treats initial acute episodes of mental disorders and mania. Clopixol Depot injection prevents further episodes of mental illness.
How It Works
Clopixol belongs to a group of medicines called thioxanthene neuroleptics. It helps to correct chemical imbalances in the brain, which may cause mental illness.
Good to know: Clopixol helps control your condition and requires regular treatment, but the different forms work for different lengths of time to meet your specific needs.
How to Take Clopixol
Your doctor will determine the right dose and form of Clopixol for you. The medication comes as tablets for daily use or injections given by healthcare professionals.
Dosage Instructions
Clopixol tablets: usual dose is 10 to 50 mg per day, taken once daily at the same time, before or after food. Swallow tablets whole with a full glass of water. Clopixol Acuphase injection: usual dose is 50 to 150 mg (1 to 3 mL) every 2 to 3 days, with treatment not exceeding 2 weeks and maximum 4 injections per course. Clopixol Depot injection: usual dose is 200 to 400 mg (1 to 2 mL) every second to fourth week. Elderly patients may need reduced doses.
What If You Miss a Dose?
For tablets: If almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose as scheduled. If there’s still a long time before your next dose, take it as soon as you remember, then return to your normal schedule. For injections: Contact your doctor as soon as you remember to reschedule your appointment.
Important: Never take a double dose to make up for a missed dose. Injections should only be given by a doctor, nurse or trained healthcare professional.
Side Effects
Like all medications, this medicine can cause side effects. Most are mild and temporary, but some require medical attention.
Common Side Effects
These side effects occur relatively frequently and usually don’t require emergency care:
- Drowsiness, sleepiness
- Inability to sleep
- Abnormal dreams
- Headache
- Fatigue
- Depressed mood
- Anxiety, nervousness, agitation
- Nasal congestion
- Dry mouth
- Constipation or diarrhea
- Increased salivation or sweating
- Nausea, vomiting, indigestion
- Weight and appetite changes
- Menstrual period changes
- Sexual function problems
- Swelling of hands, ankles or feet
- Skin rash, itching
- Abnormal sensations like burning or prickling
- Changes in attention and memory
- Dizziness or spinning sensation
- Painful or weak muscles
- Pain at injection site
- Feeling generally unwell
Seek immediate medical attention if you experience:
- Sudden unusual movements, trembling, shaking of hands and fingers
- Worm-like movements of tongue or uncontrolled mouth, tongue, cheek, jaw movements
- Inability to keep still
- Increased, slowed or unusual muscle movements
- Feeling dizzy when standing up
- Irregular heartbeat and blood pressure changes
- Fainting
- Blurred vision or difficulty focusing
- Difficulty passing urine
- Increased urination or urinary disorders
- High eye pressure
- Unusual breast milk secretion
- Breast enlargement in men
- Difficult or painful breathing
- Frequent infections, fever, severe chills, sore throat, mouth ulcers
- Easy bleeding or bruising, nosebleeds
- Yellowing of skin and/or eyes (jaundice)
- Severe stomach pain with bloating, cramps and vomiting
- Blood clots in veins, especially legs (swelling, pain, redness)
Important Warnings
Clopixol is not suitable for everyone and requires careful monitoring. Several medical conditions and situations require special consideration before starting treatment.
Who Should Not Take Clopixol
Do not use if you are allergic to zuclopenthixol or any ingredients, have collapsed due to very low blood pressure, have diminished consciousness from any cause, have brain damage, have blood diseases with abnormal cell counts, have phaeochromocytoma (rare adrenal gland tumor), or are under 18 years old.
Medical Conditions to Discuss
Tell your doctor if you have: arteriosclerosis, convulsions/seizures, decreased brain blood supply, diabetes, lethargy/indifference, glaucoma, heart/blood vessel problems, kidney/liver problems, low potassium/magnesium levels, organic brain syndrome, parkinsonism, stroke risk factors, tardive dyskinesia, cancer treatment, sleep apnea, family history of blood clots, exposure to hot environments or vigorous exercise, exposure to phosphorus-containing pesticides, or lactose intolerance.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Not recommended during pregnancy unless clearly necessary as it may affect your baby’s condition. Newborns may experience shaking, muscle problems, sleepiness, agitation, breathing problems, and feeding difficulties. Animal studies show effects on fertility. Breastfeeding is not recommended as the active ingredient passes into breast milk and may affect your baby.
Drug Interactions
Many medications can interact with Clopixol, affecting how well it works or increasing side effects. Always tell your healthcare providers about all medications you’re taking.
- Tricyclic antidepressants and lithium
- Strong pain medicines
- Sedatives and sleep medications
- Blood pressure medicines like guanethidine
- Levodopa for Parkinson’s disease
- Stimulant medicines like adrenaline
- Metoclopramide for nausea
- Piperazine for worm infections
- Liver enzyme inhibitors
- Heart rhythm medicines (quinidine, amiodarone, sotalol, dofetilide)
- Other antipsychotics like thioridazine
- Certain antibiotics (erythromycin, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin)
- Allergy medicines (terfenadine, astemizole)
- Cisapride for stomach problems
- Diuretics (water tablets)
- Anticholinergic medicines (atropine and related drugs)
- Cancer treatment medicines
Alcohol & Driving
Clopixol can affect your ability to drive safely and may interact dangerously with alcohol. Special precautions are needed regarding temperature regulation.
Alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Alcohol can worsen drowsiness and sleepiness caused by Clopixol. Be careful when drinking alcohol while using this medicine.
Driving and Operating Machinery
Be careful before driving or using machines until you know how Clopixol affects you. It may cause drowsiness, tiredness, sleepiness or blurred vision. If you experience these symptoms, do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous.
Temperature Regulation
Clopixol may make you sweat less, causing your body to overheat in hot environments or during vigorous exercise. Protect your skin from sun exposure, especially between 10am and 3pm, as the medication makes your skin much more sensitive to sunlight, potentially causing severe sunburn, rash, itching, or redness.
Storage
Keep Clopixol in the original pack and outer carton to protect from light. Store in a cool, dry place below 25°C, away from moisture, heat, and sunlight. Do not store in bathrooms, near sinks, in cars, or on window sills. Keep out of reach of children in a locked cupboard at least 1.5 meters above ground.
Overdose Information
If you think you’ve taken too much Clopixol, seek immediate medical attention. Call the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26 in Australia, 0800 764 766 in New Zealand), contact your doctor, or go to the nearest hospital emergency department. Overdose symptoms may include sleepiness, coma, cramps, convulsions, low blood pressure, extremely high or low body temperature, uncontrollable movements, and heart rhythm changes. Do this even if you feel fine, as symptoms may not appear immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
The source doesn’t specify exact timing, but Clopixol tablets work for a short time and need daily dosing, while injections last longer – Acuphase injections work for 2-3 days, and Depot injections last 2-4 weeks.
Yes, Clopixol tablets can be taken before or after food. Take them with a full glass of water.
Do not stop Clopixol suddenly. If stopped abruptly, you may experience nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, diarrhea, runny nose, sweating, muscle aches, pins and needles, sleeplessness, restlessness, anxiety, or agitation. Your doctor may gradually reduce your dose before stopping completely.
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol. Be careful when drinking alcohol while using Clopixol, as it can worsen drowsiness and sleepiness caused by the medication.
Yes, weight and appetite changes are listed as possible side effects of Clopixol.
Elderly patients may need reduced doses of Clopixol and may have an increased chance of experiencing side effects if over 65 years of age.
For tablets: If it’s almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. If there’s still a long time before your next dose, take it as soon as you remember. Never double dose. For injections: Contact your doctor to reschedule your appointment as soon as possible.
Important Disclaimer
This information is intended for general educational purposes only and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult your healthcare provider or pharmacist before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
If you think you may have a medical emergency, call your doctor or emergency services immediately.