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 fluspirilene. Long-acting fluspirilene pharmacotherapy may be prescribed to replace short-acting antipsychotic pharmacotherapy for selected non-agitated patients who have chronic schizophrenia. These patients must be well-stabilized on shorter-acting antipsychotic pharmacotherapy before it is replaced with fluspirilene pharmacotherapy. Fluspirilene is only administered by intramuscular injection. Inject fluspirilene intramuscularly into large healthy muscle sites, such as the dorsogluteal site. To replace short-acting antipsychotic pharmacotherapy with long-acting fluspirilene pharmacotherapy, initially prescribe 2 to 3 mg intramuscularly once a week. Fluspirilene appears to act by blocking impulse transmission mediated by dopamine in the dopaminergic neurons in the subcortical areas of the brain. Tardive dyskinesia may occur among some patients during long-term fluspirilene pharmacotherapy or when pharmacotherapy is discontinued. Risk appears greater for elderly patients who are receiving high dosages of fluspirilene pharmacotherapy, especially women.
