Flupentixol

Flupentixol

File:Flupenthixol.png
Clinical data
Routes of administration	intramuscular, Oral
ATC code	N05AF01 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	In general: ℞ (Prescription only)
Pharmacokinetic data
Elimination half-life	19 to 39 hours
Identifiers
IUPAC name 2-[4-[3-[2-(trifluoromethyl)thioxanthen-9-ylidene] propyl]piperazin-1-yl]ethanol
CAS Number	2709-56-0
PubChem CID	17012
DrugBank	APRD00388
E number	{{#property:P628}}
ECHA InfoCard	{{#property:P2566}}
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C23H25F3N2OS
Molar mass	434.519 g/mol

Flupentixol (marketed as Depixol and Fluanxol) is a typical antipsychotic neuroleptic drug. It is a thioxanthene, and therefore closely related to the phenothiazines. This drug combines piperazine with the chemical thioxanthene with three fluorine atoms molecularly bonded to it.

Its main use is as a long acting injection given two or three weekly to people with schizophrenia who have a poor compliance with medication and suffer frequent relapses of illness. In some countries this can be involuntary under Community Treatment Orders.

Mode of action

Flupentixol is a type of thioxanthene drug and acts by antagonism of D1 and D2 dopamine receptors (as well as serotonin). Side effects are similar to many other typical antipsychotics, namely extrapyramidal symptoms of akathisia, parkinsonian tremor and rigidity.

The typical antipsychotics are less commonly used now that the atypical antipsychotics are available (with less side effects). However flupentixol decanoate ester is useful in patients who are likely to be non-compliant. This formulation is given as an intramuscular depot injection lasting up to 3 weeks from a single injection.

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