Mesoridazine
Brand names: Serentil®
Chemical formula:
- Drug Forms:
- Mesoridazine tablets (below)
- Mesoridazine oral concentrate
- Mesoridazine injection
Mesoridazine tablets
What are mesoridazine tablets?
MESORIDAZINE (Serentil®) treats conditions such as schizophrenia that cause you to hear or see things that others do not. It may also help treat some other emotional or nervous problems. Generic mesoridazine tablets are not yet available.
NOTE: This drug is discontinued in the United States.
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• an alcohol abuse problem
• blood disease
• cancer
• difficulty urinating
• glaucoma
• head injury
• heart, kidney, or liver disease
• lung disease
• Parkinson's disease
• prostate trouble
• Reye's syndrome
• seizures (convulsions)
• tardive dyskinesia (uncontrollable movement disorder)
• thoughts of suicide
• vision problems
• an unusual or allergic reaction to mesoridazine, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding
How should I take this medicine?
Take mesoridazine tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. If mesoridazine upsets your stomach you can take it with food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your prescriber's advice.
Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.
Elderly patients may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and need smaller doses.
What drug(s) may interact with mesoridazine?
Do not take mesoridazine with any of the following:
• some antibiotics (clarithromycin, erythromycin, gatifloxacin, grepafloxacin, moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin)
• some antidepressants (amoxapine, maprotiline)
• arsenic trioxide
• astemizole
• bepridil
• cisapride
• daunorubicin or doxorubicin
• diltiazem
• some medicines for treating heart-rhythm problems (amiodarone, flecainide, disopyramide, dofetilide, ibutilide, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol)
• pimozide
• probucol
• terfenadine
• terodiline
• verapamil
Mesoridazine may also interact with the following medications:
• alcohol
• antacids
• antidiarrheal medications
• atropine
• benztropine
• bromocriptine
• cabergoline
• cocaine
• dextroamphetamine or amphetamine
• dronabinol or marijuana
• lithium
• meclizine
• medicines for anxiety
• medicines for an over-active thyroid gland
• medicines for colds and flu
• medicines for insomnia (difficulty sleeping)
• medicines for hay fever and other allergies
• medicines for mental depression
• medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson's disease
• medications for treating seizures (convulsions)
• medicines for pain or for use as muscle relaxants, including tramadol
• medicines to treat urine or bladder incontinence
• metoclopramide
• other medicines for treating thought disorders such as schizophrenia
• quinine
• rifampin
• some medications for high blood pressure or heart problems
• some weight loss medications
• trihexyphenidyl
• vitamin A
Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.
What should I watch for while taking mesoridazine?
Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. It may be several weeks before you see the full effects of mesoridazine. Do not suddenly stop taking mesoridazine. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the dose. Only stop taking mesoridazine on your prescriber's advice.
Mesoridazine may cause your skin to become more sensitive to the sun or ultraviolet light. If this reaction occurs, it can cause a severe sunburn and damage the skin. Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen (at least SPF 15). Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths. Wear sunglasses to protect your eyes.
Mesoridazine can change the response of your body to heat or cold. Try not to get overheated. Avoid temperature extremes, such as saunas, hot tubs, or very hot or cold baths or showers. Dress warmly in cold weather.
If you experience dry mouth while taking mesoridazine, make sure to drink plenty of water. It may also be helpful to suck on sugarless hard candy or crushed ice. If your dry mouth is severe, ask your doctor about a saliva substitute.
You may get dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how mesoridazine affects you. Alcohol can increase dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells.
If you are going to have surgery or will need a procedure that uses contrast agents, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking this medicine.
What side effects may I notice from taking mesoridazine?
Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• breast enlargement in men or women
• breast milk in women who are not breast-feeding
• change in emotion or behavior such as feeling depressed, angry, or anxious
• change in vision
• chest pain, fast or irregular heartbeat
• confusion
• dark yellow or brown urine
• difficulty breathing
• difficulty swallowing
• fever
• inability to control muscle movements in the face, hands, arms, or legs
• increased thirst
• intolerance to heat or cold
• loss of balance or difficulty walking
• menstrual changes
• seizures
• stiff muscles or jaw
• seizures
• skin rash
• spasms of the face, tongue, or mouth
• uncontrollable tongue or mouth movements
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
Less common or rare:
• changes in sexual desire
• excessive watering or drooling of mouth
• nausea or vomiting
• restlessness or need to keep moving
• stuffy nose
• trouble in controlling urine
More Common:
• constipation
• difficulty urinating
• dizziness; especially on standing from a sitting or lying position
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• weight gain
Where can I keep my medicine?
Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.
Store at room temperature between 20 degrees and 25 degrees C (68 degrees and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.
Last updated: 7/1/2002
Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.
