In the article, we consider side effects and reviews for the drug “Clopixol Depot”. It is an antipsychotic, an antipsychotic drug. According to its chemical characteristics, it refers to substances that are derivatives of thioxentane. When using Clopixol, a temporary, dose-dependent sedative and antipsychotic effect is observed.
The unlicensed international name for the drug is zuclopentixol. The active ingredient in the composition of the drug is zuclopentixol decanoate.
The release form of this drug
Clopixol Depot is available in the form of an oily solution, which is intended for intramuscular administration. It is packaged in colorless glass ampoules, each of which can contain 200, 500 mg of the active component.
Each package of the drug with a dosage of 200 mg may contain 1 or 10 glass ampoules. The neck of the ampoule has the designation of a break in the form of a red dot.
Each package of the drug with a dosage of 500 mg can hold 1 or 5 ampoules.
A package with one ampoule of Clopixol Depot costs an average of 445 rubles. A package containing 10 ampoules will cost about 3,000 rubles.
Pharmacological characteristics of the drug
"Clopixol Depot" is an antipsychotic that is part of the group of derivatives of thioxanthene, has an antipsychotic effect.
The main pharmacological properties of the drug include a specific inhibitory and antipsychotic effect. In addition, “Clopixol” has a non-specific sedative effect, gradually weakening after a few weeks of using the medication.
According to the instructions for Clopixol Depot, the therapeutic effect of the drug is due to the ability of the active component to block dopamine receptors located in the brain. Such a blockade, in turn, leads to a cascade reaction, in which other mediator systems are involved.
The most effective use is in patients with developing severe psychomotor agitation, agitation, outbreaks of aggression, anxiety.
Compared to the usual form of Clopixol, the action of Clopixol Depot is prolonged. A similar feature of the medication allows you to use it continuously for the treatment of protracted and acute psychoses. This property is most relevant in the treatment of patients who refuse to take medicine and negatively relate to the recommendations of specialists.
With the introduction of “Clopixol Depot”, the development of exacerbations and private relapses of the disease is prevented. This type of application is significantly superior to the use of oral forms of the drug, which the patient is able to independently interrupt due to painful beliefs.
Clinical and laboratory biochemical studies have shown that the most appropriate frequency of drug administration is a single use in 2-4 weeks.
When zuclopentixol decanoate enters the body under the influence of specific enzymes, it begins to break down into zuclopentixol and decanoic acid.
The highest level of drug concentration in the blood
As indicated by the instructions for Clopixol Depot, the highest level of concentration of the active component in the patient’s blood is observed 7 days after administration. Half elimination takes an average of 20 days. In small amounts, zuclopentixol is able to penetrate the blood-brain barrier and accumulate in the breast milk of women. The metabolites of the active component are not capable of exerting a neuroleptic effect. Most of them are excreted through the intestines, a small amount - together with urine.
Pharmacological indicators of a single use of the drug at 14 days are identical to oral use of the usual form of the drug orally once a day at 25 mg.
Indications for the use of this medication
“Clopixol Depot” is indicated for use in patients suffering from the following conditions and diseases:
- Schizophrenia, having a chronic or acute form.
- Acute psychotic disorders of a polymorphic nature, accompanied by schizophrenic symptoms.
- Inorganic psychoses that are in a chronic or acute form and accompanied by the appearance of delusional experiences (paranoid or paranoid type), hallucinatory disorders.
- Mental retardation, characterized by severe behavioral disorders - aggression, increased anxiety, agitation of the psychomotor type.
- Bipolar psychotic disorders, accompanied by aggression, delusions, agitation.
- Psychoses of an old character, having paranoid inclusions, accompanied by disorientation, confusion.
Contraindications to the use of Clopixol Depot
Do not prescribe medication to patients who have the following pathological or physiological conditions:
- Individual susceptibility, hypersensitivity to the active or any auxiliary component present in the composition of the drug.
- Coma.
- Acute poisoning with barbiturates.
- The state of acute intoxication with opioid drugs.
- The state of acute alcohol intoxication.
It is undesirable to prescribe a medication in the lactation period and during pregnancy.
Use of this drug
The oil solution must be injected intramuscularly as deep as possible into the gluteal tissue in the region of the upper outer quadrant. Reviews of patients and specialists indicate good local tolerance to the drug.
The frequency of administration for each patient should be determined individually, taking into account his condition:
- If necessary, maintenance therapy is administered up to 2 ml of Clopixol Depot, which has a dosage of 200 mg once in 14-28 days.
- In a severe drug-resistant case, the patient may require an increase in dosage or a reduction in the interval between drug administrations.
- If there is a need to use higher dosages, the use of a drug with a dosage of 500 mg is recommended.
- "Clopixol Depot", having a dosage of 500 mg, is indicated to be administered once in 7-28 days in an amount of up to 1.5 ml.
- If it is necessary to transfer the patient from oral forms of the drug to intramuscular administration, a certain scheme should be observed. The daily dose of an oral drug must be increased by 8 times and, thus, the necessary dose of a drug with a prolonged effect for 14 days should be calculated. After the first intramuscular injection is introduced, oral tablets must be taken for 7 days, while reducing their dose.
- In the case when there is a transition from the intramuscular form of the drug with the usual (non-prolonged) action, it is necessary to introduce up to 2 ml of the drug with a prolonged action at the same time as its last dose. Repeated injection is carried out after 1-2 weeks.
Side effects of Clopixol Depot
Against the background of the use of the drug, the central nervous system, the ANS, the liver can respond with the development of negative symptoms:
- The central nervous system responds with the occurrence of extrapyramidal disorders. Such manifestations are especially noticeable at the initial stages of treatment, they can be eliminated by dose adjustment and the use of specific corrective drugs of the antiparkinsonian group of medicines. However, experts do not recommend the use of correctors for the purpose of prevention, if there is no urgent need for this. With prolonged use of antipsychotic drugs, late dyskinesias may develop, which cannot be eliminated with antiparkinsonian drugs. In this case, it is advisable to reduce the dose or completely refuse (if possible) from the use of antipsychotics. Also, in the initial stages of treatment, the patient may show lethargy and drowsiness, in the later stages - depression.
- The ANS responds to the use of Clopixol Depot with orthostatic hypotension, dizziness, impaired accommodation, constipation, urinary retention, and dry mouth.
- From the side of the liver, the following negative responses are noted: a change in the level of hepatic transaminases and alkaline phosphatase.
If these negative effects occur during the administration of the drug, it is necessary to consult a specialist, to consider the possibility and advisability of replacing the drug with another one having a similar therapeutic effect.
Overdose with this medication
An overdose of a drug is manifested in the development of the following clinical symptoms:
- Change in temperature.
- Severe arterial hypotension.
- Extrapyramidal disorders.
- Coma.
- Shock.
- Convulsive syndrome.
How to treat overdose symptoms from this drug?
Overdose therapy involves the appointment of supportive and symptomatic treatment. The patient must be hospitalized in the ICU (intensive care unit), where doctors take the necessary steps to maintain normal heart and lung function. In case of an overdose, adrenaline should be administered to the victim - this can provoke an even greater decrease in blood pressure. To stop the convulsive syndrome allows "Diazepam". Instructions for use with Clopixol Depot confirms this.
Drug Interactions with Other Medicines
The drug has a potentiating effect in relation to all medications that can suppress the activity of NS. With parallel use, the effect of narcotic analgesic drugs, antidepressants, antipsychotics, tranquilizers, barbiturates, sleeping pills, ethyl alcohol is enhanced.
With the simultaneous use of guanethidine with drugs, a blocking of the antihypertensive properties of the latter is observed.
When combining Clopixol Depot with metoclopramide and piperazine, the likelihood of developing extrapyramidal disorders increases.
Analogues of this drug
If necessary, Clopixol Depot can be replaced by one of its pharmacological or structural analogues. However, it is important to remember that all analogues are potent antipsychotics, have specific contraindications, and can provoke quite serious negative effects. That is why any replacement of the drug should be discussed without fail with a doctor. Only a specialist will take into account all the nuances and determine the possibility and feasibility of replacing the drug.
The most popular analogs are: “Clopixol acufaz”, “Clopixol”, “Moditen Depot”, “Haloperidol decanoate”. The last two drugs also have a prolonged effect.
The following are patient reviews of Clopixol Depot.
Reviews
Feedback on the experience of using the drug is quite common. The main positive characteristics of the drug are its effectiveness and prolonged action. Many patients note the convenience of the rare use of Clopixol Depot. Reviews about the drug are not only positive.
Often, patients note that when taking the drug, negative effects develop in the form of extrapyramidal disorders, apathy, and a decrease in libido.
It is important not to forget that the independent use of antipsychotics is unacceptable. The appointment of the drug should be carried out by a doctor.