FGA / Thioxanthene·Psychiatry - Oral Antipsychotics

Zuclopenthixol

Schizophrenia and other psychoses, especially when accompanied by severe agitation, restlessness, or hostility

Authority requiredPBSFGAClopixol10 mg tablet+2

No source link confirmed for this record yet. Its own source notes are under Additional.

At a glance

Max Dose

150 mg/day

Half-life

20 h

Caution: Sedation

MODERATE

Caution: EPS Risk

HIGH

Cautions

Avoid / Cautions

Parkinson's disease, severe CNS depression/coma. Pregnancy Category C.

Where it stands

Rapid Summary

Overview

Oral tablet formulation of Zuclopenthixol. Potent FGA used for acute and chronic schizophrenia, particularly when patients exhibit significant aggression or agitation.

Clinical Focus

Often used as the oral 'trial' to ensure the patient tolerates the drug before locking them into the 4-weekly Clopixol Depot injection.

Bottom Line

Zuclopenthixol is a thioxanthene antipsychotic for schizophrenia and aggressive behaviour, but causes significant extrapyramidal effects and has depot formulations with prolonged irreversible action.

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Clopixol

Oral Routes

Tablets (10 mg, 25 mg).

Prescribing & PBS

Authority Required (PBS).

Indications & Use

Primary

PBSTGA

Schizophrenia and other psychoses, especially when accompanied by severe agitation, restlessness, or hostility.

Clinical Place

The foundational oral step before transitioning to Clopixol Depot or Acuphase.

Quick reference

Class & Role

FGA / Thioxanthene — Oral tablet formulation of Zuclopenthixol.

Route / Formulation

Tablets (10 mg, 25 mg). (Clopixol)

Usual Dose & Max

Start PO 10 mg OD to BD. Titrate to 20-40 mg/day. Max 150 mg/day in severe, refractory cases.

Key Indication Doses

Schizophrenia / Mania: Start PO 10 mg OD to BD. Titrate to 20-40 mg/day. Max 150 mg/day in severe, refractory cases. Elderly: Start at 2-5 mg/day. High risk of EPS and sedation.

Best Uses

Zuclopenthixol is a thioxanthene antipsychotic for schizophrenia and aggressive behaviour, but causes significant extrapyramidal effects and has depot formulations with prolonged irreversible action.

Key Risks

Neurological: High risk of Extrapyramidal Side Effects (Parkinsonism, acute dystonia, severe akathisia), Tardive dyskinesia. HIGH — Sedation. Cardiovascular: Orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia, QTc prolongation. Endocrine: Hyperprolactinemia.

Key Interactions

CYP2D6 inhibitors (Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Bupropion) massively increase zuclopenthixol levels, triggering severe EPS. Additive sedation with CNS depressants.

Monitoring

Monitor aggressively for EPS (stiffness, tremor). A PRN anticholinergic (Benzatropine) should be charted when initiating high doses. Baseline ECG (QTc check).

Clinical Pearl

Never give a patient a Clopixol Depot (which lasts 4 weeks) if they have never had the drug before. If they have a severe allergic or dystonic reaction, you cannot get the depot out of their muscle. Always give oral Zuclopenthixol for a few days first to prove tolerance.

Access

Authority requiredClopixol10 mg tablet

Brand: Clopixol
PBS status: Authority required
Formulation: Tablets (10 mg, 25 mg).

From this page

No calculator, monitoring schedule or factsheet is linked to this medicine page yet.

FGA / Thioxanthene·Psychiatry - Oral Antipsychotics

Zuclopenthixol

Schizophrenia and other psychoses, especially when accompanied by severe agitation, restlessness, or hostility

Authority requiredPBSFGAClopixol10 mg tablet+2

No source link confirmed for this record yet. Its own source notes are under Additional.

At a glance

Max Dose

150 mg/day

Half-life

20 h

Caution: Sedation

MODERATE

Caution: EPS Risk

HIGH

Cautions

Avoid / Cautions

Parkinson's disease, severe CNS depression/coma. Pregnancy Category C.

Where it stands

Rapid Summary

Overview

Oral tablet formulation of Zuclopenthixol. Potent FGA used for acute and chronic schizophrenia, particularly when patients exhibit significant aggression or agitation.

Clinical Focus

Often used as the oral 'trial' to ensure the patient tolerates the drug before locking them into the 4-weekly Clopixol Depot injection.

Bottom Line

Zuclopenthixol is a thioxanthene antipsychotic for schizophrenia and aggressive behaviour, but causes significant extrapyramidal effects and has depot formulations with prolonged irreversible action.

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Clopixol

Oral Routes

Tablets (10 mg, 25 mg).

Prescribing & PBS

Authority Required (PBS).

Indications & Use

Primary

PBSTGA

Schizophrenia and other psychoses, especially when accompanied by severe agitation, restlessness, or hostility.

Clinical Place

The foundational oral step before transitioning to Clopixol Depot or Acuphase.

Quick reference

Class & Role

FGA / Thioxanthene — Oral tablet formulation of Zuclopenthixol.

Route / Formulation

Tablets (10 mg, 25 mg). (Clopixol)

Usual Dose & Max

Start PO 10 mg OD to BD. Titrate to 20-40 mg/day. Max 150 mg/day in severe, refractory cases.

Key Indication Doses

Schizophrenia / Mania: Start PO 10 mg OD to BD. Titrate to 20-40 mg/day. Max 150 mg/day in severe, refractory cases. Elderly: Start at 2-5 mg/day. High risk of EPS and sedation.

Best Uses

Zuclopenthixol is a thioxanthene antipsychotic for schizophrenia and aggressive behaviour, but causes significant extrapyramidal effects and has depot formulations with prolonged irreversible action.

Key Risks

Key Interactions

CYP2D6 inhibitors (Fluoxetine, Paroxetine, Bupropion) massively increase zuclopenthixol levels, triggering severe EPS. Additive sedation with CNS depressants.

Monitoring

Monitor aggressively for EPS (stiffness, tremor). A PRN anticholinergic (Benzatropine) should be charted when initiating high doses. Baseline ECG (QTc check).

Clinical Pearl

Access

Authority requiredClopixol10 mg tablet

Brand: Clopixol
PBS status: Authority required
Formulation: Tablets (10 mg, 25 mg).

From this page

No calculator, monitoring schedule or factsheet is linked to this medicine page yet.