Brand Names: Mellaril, Mellaril-S

Generic Name: thioridazine (oral) (Pronunciation: THYE oh RID a zeen)

• What is thioridazine (Mellaril)?
• What are the possible side effects of thioridazine (Mellaril)?
• What is the most important information I should know about thioridazine (Mellaril)?
• What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking thioridazine (Mellaril)?
• How should I take thioridazine (Mellaril)?
• What happens if I miss a dose (Mellaril)?
• What happens if I overdose (Mellaril)?
• What should I avoid while taking thioridazine (Mellaril)?
• What other drugs will affect thioridazine (Mellaril)?
• Where can I get more information?

What is thioridazine (Mellaril)?

Thioridazine is an anti-psychotic medication in a group of drugs called phenothiazines (FEEN-oh-THYE-a-zeens). It works by changing the actions of chemicals in your brain.

Thioridazine is used to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia.

Thioridazine is usually given after other medications have been tried without successful treatment of schizophrenia.

Thioridazine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Thioridazine 10 mg-GG

round, red, imprinted with GG, 30

Thioridazine 10 mg-MUT

round, yellow, imprinted with MP12

Thioridazine 10 mg-MYL

round, orange, imprinted with M 54, 10

Thioridazine 100 mg-GG

round, red, imprinted with GG 34, 100

Thioridazine 100 mg-MUT

round, yellow, imprinted with MP 160

Thioridazine 100 mg-MYL

round, orange, imprinted with 100, M 61

Thioridazine 200 mg-CRE

round, white, imprinted with CP, 270

Thioridazine 25 mg-GG

round, red, imprinted with GG 32, 25

Thioridazine 25 mg-MUT

round, yellow, imprinted with MP 14

Thioridazine 25 mg-MYL

round, orange, imprinted with M 58, 25

Thioridazine 50 mg-GG

round, red, imprinted with GG 33, 50

Thioridazine 50 mg-MUT

round, yellow, imprinted with MP 17

Thioridazine 50 mg-MYL

round, orange, imprinted with 50, M 59

What are the possible side effects of thioridazine (Mellaril)?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using thioridazine and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:

• dizziness, fainting, fast or pounding heartbeat;
• twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs;
• tremor (uncontrolled shaking), drooling, trouble swallowing, problems with balance or walking;
• feeling restless, jittery, or agitated;
• high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeats, rapid breathing;
• feeling like you might pass out;
• seizure (convulsions);
• decreased night vision, tunnel vision, watery eyes, increased sensitivity to light;
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, fever, sore throat, flu symptoms;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• nausea and stomach pain, skin rash, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• joint pain or swelling with fever, swollen glands, muscle aches, chest pain, vomiting, unusual thoughts or behavior, and patchy skin color; or
• slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop).

Less serious side effects may include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety;
• dry mouth, stuffy nose, constipation;
• blurred vision, headache;
• breast swelling or discharge;
• changes in your menstrual periods;
• weight gain, swelling in your hands or feet;
• impotence, trouble having an orgasm;
• increased or decreased interest in sex;
• sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams; or
• mild itching or skin rash.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What is the most important information I should know about thioridazine (Mellaril)?

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs. These could be early signs of dangerous side effects.

Thioridazine is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Thioridazine may cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

Do not use thioridazine if you have brain damage, bone marrow depression, severe heart disease, a heart rhythm disorder, a history of "Long QT syndrome," or if you are also using large amounts of alcohol or medicines that make you sleepy.

Do not take thioridazine together with large amounts of alcohol or medicines that make you sleepy, or with medications that can affect heart rhythm. There are many medicines that should not be taken together with thioridazine because they may cause serious medical problems. Before taking thioridazine, tell your doctor about all other medications you use.

Before you take thioridazine, tell your doctor if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, a heart rhythm disorder, low levels of calcium or potassium in your blood, past or present breast cancer, liver or kidney disease, severe asthma or breathing problems, a history of seizures, Parkinson's disease, adrenal gland tumor, enlarged prostate or urination problems, glaucoma, or if you have ever had a serious side effect while using thioridazine or a similar medication.