Monograph: |
Pericyazine
Adverse Effects, Treatment, and Precautions
As for Chlorpromazine. Sedation and orthostatic hypotension may be marked.
Interactions
As for Chlorpromazine.
Uses and Administration
Pericyazine is a phenothiazine with general properties similar to those of chlorpromazine. It has a piperidine side-chain. It is used in the treatment of various psychoses including schizophrenia and disturbed behaviour, and in the short-term management of severe anxiety.
Pericyazine is usually given as the base but the mesilate and tartrate have also been used.
The usual oral dose for the treatment of severe anxiety, agitation, aggression, or impulsive behaviour is 15 to 30 mg daily given in 2 divided doses, the larger amount in the evening. In schizophrenia and severe psychoses initial doses of 75 mg daily may be given in divided doses, increased if necessary, at weekly intervals by increments of 25 mg, to a maximum of 300 mg daily.
A recommended initial daily dose by mouth in children aged over 1 year is 500 micrograms for a child weighing 10 kg; for heavier children this initial dose may be increased by 1 mg for each additional 5 kg, to a maximum total of 10 mg daily. Thereafter the dose may be gradually increased according to response but the daily maintenance dose should not exceed twice the initial dose.
Elderly patients should be given reduced doses: a recommended initial dose is 5 to 10 mg daily for anxiety or disturbed behaviour and 15 to 30 mg daily for schizophrenia or psychosis, both in divided doses.
|