Mellaril (Thioridazine)

tablets: round, light green, light brown, white, blue-green, or pale pink, printed with SANDOZ and MEL 10, 25, 50, 100 or 200

moderate: 50-200 mg a day

severe: 200-800 mg a day

elderly: 25 mg 3x a day

children: (2-12 years only): 0.5-3 mg per kilogram

maximum: 800 mg a day

alcoholic withdrawal

hyperactivity in children

use of drugs for depression or tension (e.g. Valium)

use of lithium

use of antihistamines, some insecticides, antacids

use of Demerol, other sedatives

use of blood pressure pills

use of Antabuse

use of alcohol

coma (passed out)

heart, marrow, or blood disease

glaucoma (eye disease)

enlarged prostate

heart or liver disease

history of seizures, epilepsy

lupus

breast cancer

diabetes

surgery

often:
strengthening the effects of alcohol and depressant drugs

severe withdrawal symptoms

high blood pressure when standing

heart problems (high doses)

dry mouth

fainting

stuffy nose

blurred eyesight, day and night

stomach problems

nausea, vomiting

constipation, diarrhea, urinary problems

drowsiness

sometimes:
tardive dyskinesia: uncontrolled movements of the tongue, mouth, arms and legs, which may be permanent and may come after stopping the drug

Parkinson's-like symptoms (shakiness)

seizures, rigid muscles

heart problems, heart rhythm changes

blood pressure changes

low white blood cell count, causing infections, bleeding

changes in blood-sugar level

prostate problems

depression, disorientation

eye discoloration, glaucoma

sleepiness, dizziness

restlessness, agitation, sleeplessness

liver damage, hepatitis, jaundice

bloating

weight change

itching, rash, pale skin

sensitivity to sun

headache

fever

lowering of body temperature (elderly)

asthma

menstrual problems, false positive pregnancy tests

swelling breasts (male and female)

sexual problems (male: 60%)

continuous, painful erection

rarely:
death, sometimes sudden, from any of these causes:

disordered body temperature

bone marrow poisoning

convulsions

blood clots

paralysis of the intestines

cardiac arrest (heart stoppage)

despair leading to suicide

vomiting into lungs*

* (30% of psychiatric patient deaths)

• Mellaril causes serious brain and eye damage with long-term use.

• This drug is eliminated in breast milk and can be passed to unborn children. It should not be given to nursing or pregnant women.

• This drug should not be given to children with flu, chicken pox, or measles.

• Blood tests should be done regularly with this drug in the first months of use.

• Your urine may be coloured pink or purple. This is no problem.

• You should not drive, operate machines, play sports, or do dangerous things until you know what this drug does to you.

• Avoid overheating your body in the sun, saunas, hot baths, etc., and avoid exposure to cold.

• Tell your nurse, doctor, pharmacist or dentist about any other drugs you are taking before any new treatment. Check with them before you take any medicine, even if it isn't a prescription drug, especially drugs for cold, flu, etc.

• There is no known treatment for tardive dyskinesia (TD). The brain damage done can be permanent. If symptoms appear, the drug must be stopped. One of the early signs of TD is a "worm-like" movement of the tongue. Stop the drug and see your doctor immediately if this happens to you.

• Stop taking this medicine and contact your doctor immediately if you notice any of the problems or conditions listed or anything unusual is happening, especially any change in your eyesight.

• Withdrawal symptoms can be severe with psychiatric drugs. If you stop using them, do it slowly.

• This is one of a group of psychiatric drugs which causes a serious and sometimes fatal reaction called Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome. It may cause body temperature raising, rigid muscles and coma (passing out), rapid heart beat and breathing, sweating, shaking and seizures. The death rate is 20%.

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