pericyazine at a glance
Medicine class
First-generation phenothiazine antipsychotic
Main roles
Psychosis treatment or relapse prevention, and adjunctive short-term control of severe agitation or impulsive behaviour
Administration
Taken by mouth as tablets or syrup; avoid unnecessary skin contact
Alertness
Can cause drowsiness and postural dizziness; do not drive or operate machinery if affected
Sunlight
Can make skin more sensitive to sunlight; avoid direct exposure
What is pericyazine used for?
The selected products are licensed for:
Treatment of symptoms and prevention of relapse in adults with schizophrenia or other psychoses.
Adjunctive short-term management in adults with anxiety, psychomotor agitation, violent behaviour or dangerously impulsive behaviour.
The selected syrup also lists behaviour disorders or schizophrenia in children, with age restrictions and specialist precautions in younger children. The selected tablets are not recommended for children.
Pericyazine is not licensed for dementia-related behavioural disturbance.
How does pericyazine work?
Pericyazine reduces dopamine-mediated signalling as a phenothiazine antipsychotic. Its strong sedative, antiserotonin and antihistamine effects contribute to its effects and adverse effects such as drowsiness, low blood pressure and anticholinergic symptoms.
pericyazine preparations and strengths
Syrup
Route: Oral
Strengths: 10 mg/5 mL
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 2.5 mg, 10 mg
How to take pericyazine
Take pericyazine exactly as prescribed and do not alter treatment yourself.
Swallow tablets whole with water.
Take syrup by mouth as directed on the dispensing label.
Avoid prolonged or unnecessary contact with tablets or syrup because phenothiazines can rarely sensitise the skin.
Avoid alcohol and medicines containing alcohol.
Do not stop suddenly unless urgent medical care directs otherwise; withdrawal is normally gradual.
Keep out of direct sunlight and do not drive or use machinery if sleepy.
pericyazine side effects
Common or expected effects
- Drowsiness or sedation
- Dizziness or faintness when standing
- Dry mouth, constipation or blurred focusing
- Restlessness, tremor, stiffness or other movement symptoms
- Nasal stuffiness, agitation or difficulty sleeping
- Skin rash or increased sensitivity to sunlight
- Weight gain
- Raised prolactin, which may affect periods, breasts or sexual function
Get urgent medical advice
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: fever, severe stiffness, sweating, altered consciousness or unstable pulse or blood pressure
- Severe allergy or breathing difficulty
- Fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers or recurrent infections suggesting a blood disorder
- Fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting or chest pain
- Uncontrolled facial, tongue, jaw or limb movements
- Severe constipation with abdominal swelling, pain or vomiting
- Yellow skin or eyes suggesting liver injury
- Symptoms of a blood clot, such as painful leg swelling, chest pain or sudden breathlessness
- Prolonged painful erection
pericyazine in pregnancy
Human pregnancy information for pericyazine is insufficient. The selected SmPCs advise avoiding it unless the expected benefit outweighs potential risk. Exposure near delivery can cause newborn movement, withdrawal, breathing or feeding problems, so specialist review and neonatal monitoring may be needed. Do not stop treatment abruptly without prescriber advice.
pericyazine while breastfeeding
The selected product SmPCs do not recommend breastfeeding because there are no pericyazine-specific milk-excretion data. Pericyazine is not specifically covered by wider guidance, so specialist advice is appropriate before breastfeeding or changing effective treatment.
pericyazine interactions
Check prescribed, pharmacy and herbal products with a clinician because important interactions include:
Dopaminergic Parkinson's medicines
Their effects oppose pericyazine; several dopamine agonists are contraindicated.
Alcohol
Increases sedation, impaired alertness and the risk of respiratory depression; avoid it.
Common questions about pericyazine
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is pericyazine used for?
It is used for schizophrenia and other psychoses, including relapse prevention, and as an adjunct in short-term management of severe agitation, anxiety or dangerously impulsive behaviour.
Can pericyazine make you sleepy?
Yes. Sedation and drowsiness are recognised effects, especially early in treatment.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.