Pipotiazine



Piportil® L







Pipotiazine

(pip oh TYE a zeen)

Canadian Brand Names
Piportil® L
Mexican Brand Names
Piportil L4®[inj.]
Pharmacologic Category
Antipsychotic Agent, Phenothiazine, Piperidine
What key warnings should I know about before taking this medicine?
  • This medicine can change the electrical activity in your heart. This change could cause fast heartbeats. This medicine does not mix well with many medicines. Check all medicines with healthcare provider before starting this medicine. If you have a history of fast heartbeats, tell healthcare provider.
Reasons not to take this medicine
  • If you have an allergy to pipotiazine or any other part of this medicine.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.
  • If you have a fast heartbeat.
  • If you are taking certain heartbeat-controlling medicines, antidepressants, amiodarone, cisapride, disopyramide, dofetilide, gatifloxacin, moxifloxacin, procainamide, quinidine, sotalol, or sparfloxacin.
  • If you are taking any of these medicines: Fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, or paroxetine.
  • If you are breast-feeding.
What is this medicine used for?
  • This medicine is used to treat schizophrenia.
  • It may take 6 weeks to see the full effect.
How does it work?
  • Pipotiazine helps clear your thinking.
  • It works on improving social interactions, mood, expression of mood, as well as, delusions, paranoia, and appearance.
How is it best taken?
  • Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.
  • Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.
  • A liquid (concentrate) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Mix with distilled water, orange juice, or grape juice before drinking.
  • Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.
What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)
  • Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
  • If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.
  • Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
  • Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
What are the precautions when taking this medicine?
  • If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.
  • Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.
  • Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, antihistamines, and other pain medicine.
  • Fluoxetine should be stopped for 5 weeks before starting this medicine.
  • You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.
  • Be careful in hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.
  • Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
What are some possible side effects of this medicine?
  • Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.
  • Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.
  • Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
  • Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.
  • Nervous and excitable.
  • Weight gain.
  • Change in sexual ability or desire. This is usually reversible.
What should I monitor?
  • Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?
  • Have an ECG done before starting this medicine.
  • Dry mouth may cause an increase in cavities. Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.
  • Follow up with healthcare provider.
Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately
  • If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center immediately or dial 911.
  • Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
  • Fast heartbeat.
  • Severe dizziness or passing out.
  • Significant change in balance.
  • Shakiness, difficulty moving around, or stiffness.
  • Very nervous and excitable.
  • Unable to pass urine.
  • Feeling extremely tired or weak.
  • Any rash.
  • No improvement in condition or feeling worse.
How should I store this medicine?
  • Store at room temperature.
  • Protect from light.
  • Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.
General statements
  • If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.
  • Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
  • Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).
  • Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.
Brand Names: