Clopixol Depot·Psychiatry - Depot Antipsychotics

Zuclopenthixol decanoate

Maintenance treatment of Schizophrenia and other psychoses, particularly with associated aggression/agitation

Authority requiredPBSDEPOT Q2-4WClopixol DepotS4+1

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

At a glance

Max Dose

600 mg/week

Half-life

17 Days

Caution: Sedation

SEVERE

Caution: EPS Risk

HIGH

Cautions

Avoid / Cautions

Parkinson's disease, severe cardiovascular disease, acute severe CNS depression. Pregnancy Category C.

Where it stands

Rapid Summary

Overview

First-Generation Antipsychotic (FGA) depot in fractionated coconut oil. Highly sedating. The ultimate 'calming' depot for chronically violent or severely agitated patients.

Clinical Focus

Patients are frequently 'zombified' by this drug. It provides excellent behavioral control but causes profound lethargy and blunting.

Bottom Line

Zuclopenthixol decanoate is a depot antipsychotic for maintenance treatment of chronic psychosis, but causes significant extrapyramidal effects and is irreversible once injected (2-4 week duration).

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Clopixol Depot

Parenteral

Ampoules (200 mg/1 mL). Thick oil solution.

Prescribing & PBS

Authority Required (PBS).

Indications & Use

Primary

PBSTGA

Maintenance treatment of Schizophrenia and other psychoses, particularly with associated aggression/agitation.

Clinical Place

Reserved for the most severely agitated, aggressive, or non-compliant patients who fail modern SGAs.

Quick reference

Class & Role

Clopixol Depot — First-Generation Antipsychotic (FGA) depot in fractionated coconut oil.

Route / Formulation

Ampoules (200 mg/1 mL). Thick oil solution. (Clopixol Depot)

Usual Dose & Max

IM 200-400 mg every 2 to 4 weeks. Deep gluteal Z-Track injection. Max 600 mg/week (Though typical doses are 200-400 mg every 2-4 weeks).

Key Indication Doses

Schizophrenia / Severe Agitation: IM 200-400 mg every 2 to 4 weeks. Deep gluteal Z-Track injection. Elderly / Frail: Max 50-100 mg every 4 weeks. (Extreme risk of falls/sedation).

Best Uses

Zuclopenthixol decanoate is a depot antipsychotic for maintenance treatment of chronic psychosis, but causes significant extrapyramidal effects and is irreversible once injected (2-4 week duration).

Key Risks

Neurological: Severe sedation, apathy, EPS (Parkinsonism, acute dystonia). Cardiovascular: Orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia. Metabolic: Weight gain (less than Olanzapine, but high for an FGA).

Key Interactions

Synergistic respiratory depression with high-dose Benzodiazepines or Opioids. Antihypertensives (Additive hypotension).

Monitoring

Monitor for over-sedation and falls, especially in the 3-4 days immediately following the injection. Baseline ECG, Lipids, and Weight.

Clinical Pearl

While modern psychiatry prefers non-sedating drugs (like Aripiprazole), Zuclopenthixol Depot remains essential in forensic or high-acuity wards where the patient's baseline aggression poses a physical danger to staff and themselves.

Access

Authority requiredClopixol Depot

Brand: Clopixol Depot
PBS status: Authority required

From this page

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

Clopixol Depot·Psychiatry - Depot Antipsychotics

Zuclopenthixol decanoate

Maintenance treatment of Schizophrenia and other psychoses, particularly with associated aggression/agitation

Authority requiredPBSDEPOT Q2-4WClopixol DepotS4+1

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

At a glance

Max Dose

600 mg/week

Half-life

17 Days

Caution: Sedation

SEVERE

Caution: EPS Risk

HIGH

Cautions

Avoid / Cautions

Parkinson's disease, severe cardiovascular disease, acute severe CNS depression. Pregnancy Category C.

Where it stands

Rapid Summary

Overview

First-Generation Antipsychotic (FGA) depot in fractionated coconut oil. Highly sedating. The ultimate 'calming' depot for chronically violent or severely agitated patients.

Clinical Focus

Patients are frequently 'zombified' by this drug. It provides excellent behavioral control but causes profound lethargy and blunting.

Bottom Line

Zuclopenthixol decanoate is a depot antipsychotic for maintenance treatment of chronic psychosis, but causes significant extrapyramidal effects and is irreversible once injected (2-4 week duration).

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Clopixol Depot

Parenteral

Ampoules (200 mg/1 mL). Thick oil solution.

Prescribing & PBS

Authority Required (PBS).

Indications & Use

Primary

PBSTGA

Maintenance treatment of Schizophrenia and other psychoses, particularly with associated aggression/agitation.

Clinical Place

Reserved for the most severely agitated, aggressive, or non-compliant patients who fail modern SGAs.

Quick reference

Class & Role

Clopixol Depot — First-Generation Antipsychotic (FGA) depot in fractionated coconut oil.

Route / Formulation

Ampoules (200 mg/1 mL). Thick oil solution. (Clopixol Depot)

Usual Dose & Max

IM 200-400 mg every 2 to 4 weeks. Deep gluteal Z-Track injection. Max 600 mg/week (Though typical doses are 200-400 mg every 2-4 weeks).

Key Indication Doses

Schizophrenia / Severe Agitation: IM 200-400 mg every 2 to 4 weeks. Deep gluteal Z-Track injection. Elderly / Frail: Max 50-100 mg every 4 weeks. (Extreme risk of falls/sedation).

Best Uses

Zuclopenthixol decanoate is a depot antipsychotic for maintenance treatment of chronic psychosis, but causes significant extrapyramidal effects and is irreversible once injected (2-4 week duration).

Key Risks

Neurological: Severe sedation, apathy, EPS (Parkinsonism, acute dystonia). Cardiovascular: Orthostatic hypotension, tachycardia. Metabolic: Weight gain (less than Olanzapine, but high for an FGA).

Key Interactions

Synergistic respiratory depression with high-dose Benzodiazepines or Opioids. Antihypertensives (Additive hypotension).

Monitoring

Monitor for over-sedation and falls, especially in the 3-4 days immediately following the injection. Baseline ECG, Lipids, and Weight.

Clinical Pearl

Access

Authority requiredClopixol Depot

Brand: Clopixol Depot
PBS status: Authority required

From this page

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