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What is Fazaclo
 Fazaclo
is an antipsychotic medication. It works by changing the actions
of chemicals in the brain.
Fazaclo
is used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia including hallucinations,
delusions, and confusion. Because Fazaclo may cause serious
side effects, treatment is usually reserved for people who
have not responded to other medications.
Fazaclo
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Fazaclo
Contact your doctor immediately if you experience
unusual tiredness, weakness, fever, sore throat, sores in
the mouth, or if you feel ill or as if you have the flu.
These symptoms could be early signs of decreased white blood
cell levels. A serious side effect from Fazaclo therapy
is a decrease in white blood cells, which could lead to
a life-threatening infection. You will need regular blood
tests to monitor white blood cell levels during treatment.
Seizures have been reported with the use of Fazaclo,
especially when used at higher doses. Contact your doctor
immediately if a seizure occurs.
Serious and/or life-threatening
cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
has been reported as a rare side effect of treatment with
Fazaclo. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience
unexplained fatigue, shortness of breath, increased rate
of breathing, fever, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, or
unusual swelling or water retention.
Dizziness and/or
fainting may occur, especially when rising from sitting
or lying down. Contact your doctor immediately if dizziness
is severe or if fainting occurs. Rise slowly to minimize
dizziness and a possible fall.
Avoid driving, operating
machinery, or performing other hazardous activities during
treatment with Fazaclo. Fazaclo may cause seizures, dizziness,
or fainting.
What you should find out before taking
Fazaclo
Do not take Fazaclo without first talking to your
doctor if you have
- blood problems;
- seizures
or epilepsy;
- liver disease or other liver problems;
- kidney disease;
- heart disease or other
heart problems such as high blood pressure, a previous heart
attack, irregular heartbeats, or other conditions;
-
an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating; or
-
narrow angle glaucoma.
You may not be able to take
Fazaclo, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special
monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions
listed above.
Fazaclo is in the FDA pregnancy B.
This means that it is not expect to be harmful to an unborn
baby. Do not take Fazaclo without first talking to your
doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during
treatment.
Fazaclo passes into breast milk. It is
not known whether Fazaclo will affect a nursing baby. Do
not take Fazaclo without first talking to your doctor if
you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should take Fazaclo Take Fazaclo exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take the
regular oral tablets with a full glass of water.
The Fazaclo orally-disintegrating tablets can be taken without
water. The Fazaclo tablets should be kept unopened in the
blister package until the time of use. Just prior to use,
peel the foil from the blister and gently remove the tablet.
Do not push the tablet through the foil. Immediately place
the tablet in the mouth. The tablet will disintegrate rapidly
and can be swallowed with saliva. No water is needed to
take the tablets. If the dosage prescribed includes only
a half Fazaclo tablet, the remaining half tablet should
be thrown away and not stored for later use.
Fazaclo
can be taken with or without food.
Blood tests will
be required on a regular basis, usually weekly or every
other week, to monitor white blood cell levels. Fazaclo
is only available through a special program designed to
ensure the required blood monitoring is performed.
If treatment with Fazaclo is stopped for more than 2 days,
do not restart the medication at the same dosage. Contact
your doctor for instructions regarding restarting the medication.
A lower dose may be required.
Do not stop taking
Fazaclo without first talking to your doctor. Although symptoms
may improve, treatment with Fazaclo may still be necessary.
Store Fazaclo at room temperature away from moisture
and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for the next regularly scheduled dose,
skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed.
Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of a Fazaclo overdose include drowsiness, delirium, unconsciousness,
fast heart rate, dizziness, difficulty breathing, seizures,
coma, and death.
Avoid while taking Fazaclo Dizziness and/or fainting may occur, especially when
rising from sitting or lying down. Contact your doctor immediately
if dizziness is severe or if fainting occurs. Rise slowly
to minimize dizziness and a possible fall.
Avoid
driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities during treatment with Fazaclo. Fazaclo may cause
seizures, dizziness, or fainting.
Avoid alcohol while
taking Fazaclo.
Do not take other prescription or
over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products during
treatment with Fazaclo without first talking to your doctor.
Possible side effects of Fazaclo Contact your doctor immediately if you experience
unusual tiredness, weakness, fever, sore throat, sores in
the mouth, or if you feel ill or as if you have the flu.
These symptoms could be early signs of decreased white blood
cell levels. A serious side effect from Fazaclo therapy
is a decrease in white blood cells, which could lead to
a life-threatening infection. You will need regular blood
tests to monitor white blood cell levels during treatment.
Seizures have been reported with the use of Fazaclo,
especially when used at higher doses. Contact your doctor
immediately if a seizure occurs.
Serious and/or life-threatening
cases of myocarditis (inflammation of the heart muscle)
has been reported as a rare side effect of treatment with
Fazaclo. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience
unexplained fatigue, shortness of breath, increased rate
of breathing, fever, chest pain, irregular heartbeats, or
unusual swelling or water retention.
Dizziness and/or
fainting may occur, especially when rising from sitting
or lying down. Contact your doctor immediately if dizziness
is severe or if fainting occurs. Rise slowly to minimize
dizziness and a possible fall.
Stop taking Fazaclo
and seek emergency medical attention if you experience any
of the following other serious side effects:
- an
allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the
throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- muscle stiffness;
- uncontrollable movements
of the mouth, tongue, jaw, face, arms, or legs;
-
fever;
- an irregular or fast heartbeat;
-
fluttering in the chest;
- chest pain or shortness
of breath; or
- liver problems.
Other, less
serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue
to take Fazaclo and talk to your doctor if you experience
- dizziness or drowsiness,
- nausea or upset
stomach,
- constipation,
- salivation (watering
mouth),
- restlessness or agitation,
- increased
thirst or urination (may indicate increased blood sugar
levels);
- increased dreaming or nightmares.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur.
Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual
or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Fazaclo Fazaclo may increase the side effects of other drugs
that affect the central nervous system, including antidepressants,
alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (medicines that treat
insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, muscle relaxants,
and any others. Tell your doctor about all medicines that
you are taking and do not take any medicine without first
talking to your doctor.
Many
drugs other than those listed here may also interact with
Fazaclo possibly resulting in decreased effectiveness of the
medication or dangerous side effects. Talk to your doctor
and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter
medicines, including herbal products, during treatment with
Fazaclo. |
