Mellaril (thioridazone) is a medication used to treat mental illnesses such as schizophrenia, a condition in which you hallucinate and lose touch with reality. According to MedlinePlus, Mellaril is a medication that belongs to the class of drugs called conventional antipsychotics. It works to balance the chemicals in your brain called neurotransmitters. Typically, you will take 50 to 100 mg of Mellaril three times daily, says the National Library of Medicine.
Common Side Effects
Mellaril can cause a wide variety of side effects. According to MedlinePlus, it may cause diarrhea, vomiting, constipation, nasal congestion, appetite changes and weight gain. It can cause blurry vision, drowsiness, pale skin, an abnormal gait (walking), trouble urinating, impotence, restlessness, strange dreams, breast enlargement, slowed movement, melasma (darkening of your skin) and pale skin. Drugs.com says that Mellaril can cause menstrual irregularities, a skin rash, lactation (breast discharge) and anorgasm (inability to have an orgasm). Typically, these side effects should not pose a serious problem, but inform your doctor when these side effects remain for three to four days.
Serious Side Effects
Drugs.com says that Melleril can cause such harmful side effects as convulsions, tachycardia (a fast heartbeat) and palpitations (pounding heartbeat). Convulsions are due to disorganized electrical activity within your brain. Persistent electrical activity can cause brain damage. An irregular heartbeat can lead to lightheadedness because of a lack of blood flow to the brain. Melleril can also cause involuntary movements of your face, tongue, arms or legs, muscle stiffness and diaphoresis (sweating). It may cause bradycardia (slow heartbeat), fainting and breathing troubles. Other serious side effects include tremors, restlessness, fever, easy bleeding or bruising, decreased urination, visual problems, swollen glands and chest pain. Call your doctor when these side effects appear.
Additonal Side Effects
The National Library of Medicine says that Mellaril can cause electrical heart rhythm disturbances such as prolonged QT intervals (a specific electrical conduction pattern of your heart). It may also cause arrythmias (heart rhythm disturbances) which if left untreated may lead to death.
Mellaril can cause tardive dyskinesias (involuntary movements) and neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a condition characterized by muscle rigidity, changes in your mental status, sweating and an irregular blood pressure. Inform your doctor right away when these symptoms appear.
Miscellaneous Concerns
Avoid Melleril if you are hypersensitive to it. Serious problems such as trouble breathing, throat edema (swelling) and hives can result.
Drugs.com says that you should tell your doctor whether you have high blood pressure, heart problems, asthma, liver or kidney disease, seizures, Parkinson's disease, an enlarged prostate or glaucoma. Mellaril may exacerbate any of these conditions.
Avoid Mellaril if you suffer from dementia. It may lead to heart failure, death or pneumonia.
Inform your doctor whether you take antibiotics, cancer drugs, antidepressants, blood pressure medications, antibiotics, antidepressants, migraine medications or heart medications. Mellaril can combine with these drugs and cause the aforementioned side effects.
Mellaril can contaminate breast milk, so inform your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
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