Thiotomyne: uses, side effects and precautions

Schizophrenia is one of the mental illnesses with the most variability of symptoms and degrees of affection that exist. So the variety of drugs to treat it must also be very broad.

Thiothixene is an antipsychotic drug traditional used, almost exclusively, for the treatment of schizophrenia. Throughout this article we will discuss its uses and side effects, as well as the precautions that patients who consume it should take.

• Related article: "Psychotropic drugs: drugs that act on the brain

What is thiothixene?

Thiothixene is a neuroleptic drug of the family of typical antipsychotics. Popularly known under the trade name of Navane , thiothixenos acts by blocking the D2 dopaminergic receptors.

Specifically, the action of thiothixene focuses on blocking dopaminergic receptors at the level of the cortico-meso-limbic pathway. This obstruction of the dopamine receptors alters the levels of this, transforming human behavior. Specifically, thiothixene prevents overstimulation of the person and facilitates the regulation of certain mental illnesses classified as psychotic.

• You may be interested: "Types of antipsychotics (or neuroleptics)"

In what disorders is it used?

Thiothixene is used, almost exclusively, to treat symptoms related to a series of mental and psychiatric conditions like schizophrenia .

This disorder covers a category of diagnoses that are distinguished by causing severe alterations in perception, a lack of adjustment to the reality surrounding the patient and a neuropsychological disorganization that affects a large number of executive functions.

However, by administering thiothixene the patient will be able to think more clearly, reduce their level of excitement and, therefore, integrate better into their environment and perform daily activities.

In addition, this antipsychotic facilitates the reduction of aggressive behavior and the desire or need to harm other people or oneself. In the same way, by helping to restore mental balance, it also helps reduce the number of hallucinations.

• Related article: "The 5 differences between psychosis and schizophrenia"

How is it administered?

Thiothixene is sold in capsules of different concentrations or amounts, which are administered according to the severity of the patient's symptoms.

Ingested orally, the usual dose of thiothixene is one capsule between 1 and 3 times a day. However, the medical professional will adjust the dose according to the specific needs of the patient.

Usually, and in order to minimize possible side effects such as sedation or tremors, treatment with thiothixene will begin gradually , starting with a low dose of this and increasing it as the first weeks pass.

It is vital that the patient follow his doctor's instructions to the letter. Although it may take 2 or 3 weeks before it begins to perceive the effects of thiothixene, the patient can never stop taking the medication or take more doses than indicated without first consulting the doctor.

If the patient stops taking this drug suddenly, you run the risk of suffering a series of symptoms as a sense of acute confusion and very serious hallucinations. Therefore, in the event that you must complete the treatment, it must be done gradually and under medical supervision.

What side effects does it have?

Like many other antipsychotic drugs, thiothixene it involves a series of side effects for the patient that, in some occasions, can cause serious annoyances for the person.

These side effects can be divided into those that do not require medical attention and those in which it is necessary to contact the medical professional as soon as possible.

In any case, if these side effects worsen or lengthen in time, it is necessary to inform the doctor to adjust the dose.

Not serious side effects

• Sickness
• Vomiting
• Constipation
• Weight gain
• Alterations in the menstrual cycle
• Descent of desire and sexual performance

Serious side effects

• Vertigos
• Fainting
• Feeling confused
• Agitation
• Fever
• Alterations in sweating levels
• Feeling fatigue
• Muscular weakness
• Alterations in vision
• Respiratory problems
• Difficulty speaking and swallowing
• Alterations in the ability to urinate
• Alterations in the cardiac pulse
• Seizures
• Muscle stiffness and / or spasms
• Lack of balance
• Dificulty to walk
• Increase in breast size Both men and women
• Milk production outside the lactation period

What precautions should be taken with their consumption?

It is necessary that the patient inform their doctor, before starting the treatment, of any allergy, illness or special health condition in which they are and that could interfere with the progress of the treatment.

There are a number of conditions or diseases that can be aggravated by the use of thiothixene. These are:

• Brain tumors or cranial injuries
• Dementia
• Heart Disease
• Blood alterations
• Parkinson's disease
• Renal alterations and liver

In the same way, the doctor must be aware of any medication, vitamin supplement or natural complex that the patient consumes both before and during treatment with thiothixene. Since these can cause a series of interferences with thiothixen and cause damage to the body of the person.

Due to the effects of sedation, thiothixene may cause drowsiness and dizziness in those who consume it. Therefore, those patients who perform activities such as driving or operating heavy machinery should pause their activities or, at least, take special precautions during treatment.

In the same way, the consumption of thiothixen during pregnancy and the period of lactation could cause damage in the newborn, so its administration should be restricted to cases in which there is no alternative treatment that is effective.