zuclopenthixol decanoate at a glance
Medicine class
First-generation antipsychotic, also called a thioxanthene antipsychotic.
Licensed role
Maintenance treatment of schizophrenia and paranoid psychoses.
How it is given
A healthcare professional gives it as a deep injection into a buttock or thigh muscle.
Long-acting formulation
The oily depot releases zuclopenthixol gradually after injection.
What is zuclopenthixol decanoate used for?
Licensed uses represented by the selected products:
Maintenance treatment of schizophrenia.
Maintenance treatment of paranoid psychoses.
How does zuclopenthixol decanoate work?
Zuclopenthixol mainly blocks dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the brain, reducing excessive dopamine signalling associated with psychotic symptoms. The decanoate ester remains in the muscle depot and is gradually converted to active zuclopenthixol.
How to take zuclopenthixol decanoate
This is an oily injection given by a trained healthcare professional, not a medicine to inject yourself. It is administered deeply into the upper outer buttock or lateral thigh muscle.
Keep planned clinic appointments and tell the team if effects feel too strong, too weak or troublesome.
Do not drive or operate machinery if it causes drowsiness, dizziness or blurred vision.
Avoid alcohol because it can increase sedation.
zuclopenthixol decanoate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Drowsiness, restlessness or other movement symptoms
- Dry mouth, increased saliva, constipation, vomiting or diarrhoea
- Dizziness, headache or blurred vision
- Tremor, muscle stiffness or spasms
- Fast heartbeat or palpitations
- Increased appetite or weight gain
- Tiredness, sweating or injection-site reactions
- Sleep disturbance, anxiety, agitation or reduced sexual interest
Get urgent medical advice
- High fever, marked muscle stiffness, confusion, sweating or a fast heartbeat
- Breathing difficulty or swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat
- Painful leg swelling, chest pain or sudden breathlessness
- Fainting or a markedly irregular heartbeat
- Persistent involuntary movements, particularly of the mouth, tongue or face
- Difficulty swallowing or choking
- Jaundice
- Fits or severe blood-cell disorders, which may present with fever, sore throat, infection, bruising or bleeding
zuclopenthixol decanoate in pregnancy
Use during pregnancy only when the expected benefit outweighs the potential fetal risk. Exposure late in pregnancy may cause newborn shaking, altered muscle tone, sleepiness, agitation, breathing problems or feeding difficulty, so the baby may need observation after birth. Discuss pregnancy planning and treatment changes with the prescribing and perinatal mental health teams; do not stop antipsychotics suddenly without clinical advice.
zuclopenthixol decanoate while breastfeeding
The SmPC allows breastfeeding when considered clinically important, with observation of the infant, particularly soon after birth. Because this is a long-acting depot and medicine-specific evidence is limited, specialist advice is appropriate. Monitor the baby for unusual sleepiness, irritability, abnormal movements, poor feeding or inadequate weight gain.
zuclopenthixol decanoate interactions
Tell the prescriber about all medicines, including non-prescription products. Important examples include:
Alcohol, barbiturates and other sedatives
Sedation and impairment may be increased.
QT-prolonging medicines, including some antiarrhythmics, antibiotics, antihistamines and antipsychotics
Combined use can increase the risk of serious abnormal heart rhythms and should generally be avoided.
Lithium
Combined treatment may increase neurotoxicity and cardiac risk.
Common questions about zuclopenthixol decanoate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
What is zuclopenthixol decanoate used for?
It is licensed for maintenance treatment of schizophrenia and paranoid psychoses.
Is it a depot injection?
Yes. It is an oily, long-acting intramuscular formulation that releases active zuclopenthixol gradually.
How is it given?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.