ABSTRACT
This chapter describes trade name, classification, approved indications for psychological disorders, available dosage forms, storage, and compatibility, usual dosage and administration, relative contraindications, and clinically significant drug interactions of fluphenazine. Injections of fluphenazine decanoate or enanthate are extremely well tolerated. Local tissue reactions only rarely occur. Muscle rigidity, sometimes accompanied by hyperthermia, has been reported following pharmacotherapy with fluphenazine decanoate. A catatonic-like state has been associated with fluphenazine dosages exceeding the recommended maximum dosage. Fluphenazine hydrochloride is absorbed rapidly following intramuscular injection or oral ingestion. Fluphenazine pharmacotherapy commonly has been associated with adverse anticholinergic drug reactions. luphenazine overdosage requires emergency symptomatic medical support of body systems with attention to increasing fluphenazine elimination. The injectable hydrochloride formulation of fluphenazine is for intramuscular pharmacotherapy for patients who require the immediate management of acute signs and symptoms of psychosis and are unable, or unwilling, to ingest oral formulations.
