flupentixol decanoate at a glance
Medicine class
First-generation thioxanthene antipsychotic
Licensed use
Schizophrenia and other psychoses after stabilisation on oral therapy
Form
Long-acting oily depot injection
Administration
Deep injection into the upper outer buttock or lateral thigh by a healthcare professional
What is flupentixol decanoate used for?
The selected UK product is licensed for:
Schizophrenia and other psychoses in people stabilised on oral therapy.
How does flupentixol decanoate work?
It blocks dopamine receptors, particularly D1 and D2 receptors, reducing excessive dopamine signalling associated with psychotic symptoms. Its oily depot formulation is released slowly from the injection site and converted to active flupentixol.
How to take flupentixol decanoate
A doctor or nurse gives it as a deep intramuscular injection. Food does not affect administration. Do not drive or operate machinery if it causes drowsiness, dizziness or blurred vision.
It is injected into the upper outer buttock or lateral thigh.
It must not be injected into a vein.
Tell the clinician about new medicines, side effects or changes in your health.
flupentixol decanoate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Drowsiness, dizziness or headache
- Dry mouth or increased saliva
- Muscle stiffness, spasms, tremor or restlessness
- Changes in appetite or weight
- Difficulty sleeping, nervousness or agitation
- Blurred vision or difficulty focusing
- Fast or noticeable heartbeat
- Vomiting, indigestion or diarrhoea
- Sweating, itching, muscle pain or tiredness
- Difficulty urinating
Get urgent medical advice
- High fever, marked muscle stiffness, sweating or altered consciousness
- New involuntary movements, especially of the mouth or tongue
- Severe allergic reaction with swelling or breathing difficulty
- Irregular heartbeat, collapse or fainting
- A painful swollen leg or sudden chest pain and breathlessness
- Yellow skin or eyes
- Persistent infection, unusual bruising or bleeding
flupentixol decanoate in pregnancy
Safety in pregnancy is not established. Use is advised against unless the expected benefit outweighs potential fetal risk. Exposure late in pregnancy can cause newborn movement, muscle-tone, breathing, feeding or withdrawal problems. Specialist planning and newborn observation may be needed; do not stop treatment without prescriber advice.
flupentixol decanoate while breastfeeding
Flupentixol passes into breast milk. The product information advises stopping breastfeeding if treatment is essential. Any depot antipsychotic requires specialist assessment because of its prolonged release.
flupentixol decanoate interactions
Check all prescribed, over-the-counter and recreational substances with the clinical team. Important interactions include:
Alcohol, barbiturates and other central nervous system depressants
Sedation and impaired alertness may be increased.
QT-prolonging medicines, including certain antiarrhythmics, macrolides, antihistamines and quinolones
The risk of dangerous heart rhythm disturbances may increase.
Lithium or other antipsychotics
Neurotoxicity or other adverse effects may increase; combined treatment should generally be avoided unless specifically managed.
Common questions about flupentixol decanoate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Why is it given as an injection?
Its oily depot formulation releases flupentixol slowly, providing prolonged exposure.
Why is oral treatment used first?
The selected UK product is restricted to people stabilised on oral therapy, helping establish response and tolerability before the long-acting injection is used.
Can it cause weight gain?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.