Thiothixene is a medication used to treat schizophrenia, a mental illness in which the patient experiences hallucinations, strange thoughts and abnormal perceptions. Thiothixene is an antipsychotic medication that is utilized to balance the neurotransmitters (chemicals) in the brain that become unbalanced when a patient suffers from schizophrenia. Typically, patients will take 20 to 30mg of thiothixene daily, says the National Library of Medicine.
Common Side Effects
According to MedlinePlus, thiothixene can cause a wide variety of common side effects. It can affect the central nervous system (brain and spinal cord) and lead to such symptoms as slowed or uncontrollable body movements and trouble walking. Thiothixene can also cause drowsiness, dizziness, vomiting, diarrhea and constipation. Diarrhea and vomiting can cause significant reductions in blood potassium levels, medically called hypokalemia. Eat bananas, spinach, raisins and other potassium-rich foods to elevate your potassium levels. Diarrhea and vomiting can also make you dehydrated. Drink seven to 10 glasses of water daily to rehydrate yourself. Thiothixene can also cause dry mouth, appetite changes, restlessness and trouble sleeping. These effects are often not dangerous, but inform your doctor when thiothixene's common side effects remain for more than four days.
Serious Side Effects
The National Library of Medicine says that thiothixene can increase your chances of death if you are elderly and suffer from dementia. It can also cause neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a potentially life-threatening side effect characterized by mental status changes, muscle stiffness, sweating and tachycardia (fast heartbeat). Call 911 at the initial onset of NMS.
According to Drugs.com, thiothixene can also cause dysphagia (trouble swallowing), convulsions, fever, the flu and body aches. Dysphagia increases your chances of choking, while convulsions (seizures) can increase your risk of brain damage. Disorganized electrical activity causes seizure-formation. If these convulsions persist for longer than 30 minutes, you may become permanently brain damaged or even die.
Additional Concerns
Avoid thiothixene if you are hypersensitive to it or any other antipsychotic medications. You may develop trouble breathing and angioedema (throat, tongue and facial swelling).
Do not take thiothixene if you suffer from anemia (low red blood cell counts), leukopenia (low white blood counts) and thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts). Tell your doctor if you have a history of seizures, heart disease or breast cancer. Thiothixene may exacerbate these conditions.
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