What is Fanapt?
Fanapt is an anti-psychotic medicine. The drug works by altering the chemical effects in the brain. The treatment of schizophrenia by Fanapt in adults This medication guide does not cover every possible use for Fanapt.
Warnings
Fanapt is not currently FDA-approved to treat psychotic disorders associated with dementia; Iloperidone increases mortality risk in elderly psychoses linked to dementia. You may feel more sensitive to extreme temperatures, such as those that are very cold or hot. You should avoid becoming too hot or cold. Be sure to drink plenty of water, particularly in warm weather or when exercising. You are more likely to dehydrate and become overheated when taking this medication. Fanapt can impair thinking and reactions. You should be careful when driving or doing anything else that demands alertness. Alcohol should be avoided. Alcohol can worsen some side effects. Call your doctor immediately if your muscles become stiff or rigid, you begin sweating profusely, you experience sudden or irregular heartbeats or tremors or exhibit any other unusual signs and symptoms. You may also have restless movements of your neck or face, uncontrolled shaking, trouble swallowing, or a feeling that you could pass out. Speak to your doctor if you stopped taking the medicine. It may be necessary to start the medicine at a reduced dose.
Before you take this drug
Fanapt should be avoided if you have an allergy to iloperidone. Fanapt is not recommended for use in this setting as it may cause death among older people with psychosis related to dementia.
If you've ever:
- Trouble swallowing
- Long QT syndrome
- A seizure;
- Diabetes or other risk factors, such as being obese and having a history of the disease in your family;
- Breast Cancer
- High cholesterol (or triglycerides);
- Electrolyte imbalance, including low potassium or magnesium blood levels;
- Low bone mineral density;
- Liver disease
You may find your name on a registry for pregnant women to monitor the effects of iloperidone. Antipsychotic medication taken during the final three months of gestation could result in respiratory difficulties, feeding difficulties and withdrawal symptoms for your infant. If you become pregnant during treatment with Fanapt, please notify your physician as soon as possible and do not discontinue use without consulting him/her first. Breastfeeding is not recommended while taking iloperidone. Fanapt cannot be used by those under the age of 18.
Similar/related drugs
Quetiapine, Abilify, Seroquel, Aripiprazole, Olanzapine, Risperidone, and Haloperidol
How to take Fanapt?
Follow the directions on your prescription label and read all instructions or medication guides provided by your doctor.Before taking your medication, read all instructions and directions that come with it. Your physician may alter its dose; therefore it's essential that you follow its recommendations exactly. Your symptoms may take two weeks or longer to improve; take all prescribed medication regularly as directed and inform your healthcare provider if symptoms don't respond positively. Your doctor must periodically conduct exams on you. Speak to your doctor if you've stopped Fanapt for more than three consecutive days. It may be necessary to start the medication at a smaller dose. Keep away from heat, moisture, and light.
Details on dosage
Adult dose for schizophrenia:
First dose: Take 1 mg twice daily.
Maintenance dose: 6–12 mg twice daily.
Maximum dose: 24 mg/day
Comments:
This drug should be dosed slowly in order to prevent orthostatic hypertension.
The need to gradually titrate may delay the control of symptoms during the 1st to 2nd week of treatment.
The dose should not be exceeded by more than two milligrams twice daily, if tolerated.
The long-term benefits and risks of a drug should be reevaluated by healthcare providers on a regular basis.
Treat schizophrenia
What happens if I miss the dose?
As soon as possible, take the missed dose. If your next dose is on its way, skip any dose that has already passed without being taken. You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Call 1-800-222-1222 immediately if you suspect poison exposure and/or seek immediate medical care.
What should be avoided?
Do not drive or engage in hazardous activities until you have determined how the medicine affects you. You may be unable to react properly. Dizziness may occur if you suddenly move from sitting or lying to standing quickly; such dizziness could even result in falls or fractures if not taken care of promptly. Fanapt may make you more sensitive to extreme temperatures; as such, take care not to overheat or dehydrate while taking this medication and drink lots of water in hot weather or during physical activities. Be sure to replenish your fluid supply regularly by drinking plenty of fluids! Alcohol consumption can have side effects when taken with this medication.
Side effects of Fanapt
If you experience any of the following symptoms of an allergy to Fanapt, seek immediate medical attention: itching, difficulty breathing, swelling in your lips, face, throat, or tongue. Fanapt in high doses or when used long-term can lead to a severe movement disorder. This may be irreversible. You are more susceptible to developing this condition if you have been using iloperidone for a long time, particularly if you're an older person.
Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that this medication is right for you:
- Fluttering or fast heartbeats
- A feeling of lightheadedness, as if you could pass out.
- Uncontrolled facial movements (such as lip-smacking or frowning; tongue movement, blinking, and eye movements);
- Tremors are characterized by slow movement of the muscles, muscle pain, or stiffness.
- confusion; thoughts of harming oneself.
- Loss of bladder control
- Penis erection lasting 4 hours or more or is painful;
- High blood sugar: increased thirst, increased urine, dry mouth, fruity breath odor;
- Low white blood cells: fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, skin sores, cough, trouble breathing,
- Severe Nervous System Reactions: Rigid muscles (rigid), high fever, sweating, confusion and fast or irregular heartbeats with rapid or irregular tremors as symptoms that make you feel as if you could pass out are present.
This medicine may have more side effects for older adults.
Fanapt may cause side effects such as:
- Weight gain
- Dizziness; drowsiness. Tired feeling.
- Dry mouth and stuffy nose
- Rapid heart rate.
There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Report side effects by calling the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Interaction with other drug
It is sometimes not safe to take certain drugs at the same time. Some medications can cause side effects that increase or decrease the effectiveness of another drug you are taking. If you are also taking other medications for asthma, diabetes, high blood pressure, depression, mental illnesses, HIV, cancer, or malaria, your risk of developing a heart condition is higher. Use of Fanapt in conjunction with drugs that cause drowsiness can increase this effect. Before taking an opioid, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety or seizures, consult your doctor. Iloperidone can cause interactions with many drugs. These include prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and herbal products. This list does not include all interactions. Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking and those that you will stop or start using.
