Stelazine (trifluoperazine) is a medication used to treat such mental disorders as anxiety and schizophrenia, a condition in which you hallucinate and cannot distinguish reality from fantasy. MedlinePlus says that Stelazine is a conventional antipsychotic medication used to alter the neurotransmitters (chemicals in your brain) that cause your psychiatric symptoms. According to the National Library of Medicine, you may take 1 to 5mg of Stelazine twice a day, depending upon your psychiatric symptoms.
Common Side Effects
Stelazine can cause a number of common side effects, including dizziness, drowsiness, nausea and a stuffy nose, according to MedlinePlus. It can also cause trouble urinating, nausea, blurry vision, constipation, menstrual irregularities, weakness and a headache. Stelazine can cause changes in your appetite and subsequent weight gain. It can also affect your psychological state and cause agitation, no affect (lack of facial expression) and nervousness. Other prevalent side effects include strange or slow movements, breast enlargement, extreme fatigue, dry mouth and trouble sleeping. Drugs.com says that Stelazine can also cause itchiness, a skin rash and impotence. Talk to your doctor if you have these side effects.
Dangerous Side Effects
Drugs.com says that Stelazine can cause such dangerous side effects as joint pain, decreased urination, a high fever and restlessness. It can cause light sensitivity, watery eyes, reduced night vision, easy bruising or bleeding, faintness, drooling, dysphagia (trouble swallowing), agitation, tachycardia (fast heartbeat) or an arrythmia (irregular heartbeat). Stelazine can also cause bradycardia (slow heartbeat), a weak pulse, chest pain, vomiting, convulsions and jaundice (yellowing of your eyes or throat). Call 911 if these symptoms appear.
Other Side Effects
According to the National Library of Medicine, Stelazine can cause pseudoparkinsonism. Symptoms include drooling, tremors, a mask-like appearance and a pill-rolling type of hand tremors. Stelazine can also cause tardive dyskinesia, a type of condition in which you suffer from uncontrollable movements of your face, mouth and jaws.
Additional Concerns
Drugs.com says that you should tell your doctor whether you have severe asthma, glaucoma, a seizure history, heart disease, high blood pressure and chest pain. Stelazine can worsen these conditions and provoke the aforementioned side effects.
Avoid Stelazine if you are allergic to its side effects. You can develop hives, trouble breathing and swelling of your face, throat and lips.
Stelazine can pass into breast milk and harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Tell your physician if you are taking such prescription-strength medications as warfarin, lithium, atropine and lidocaine. These medications can interact with Stelazine and cause the aforementioned side effects. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other prescription-strength medications, over-the-counter medications and vitamins, supplements and minerals.
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