Pericyazine

Antipsychotic (e.g Pericyazine) should be used with caution in patients with hepatic impairment (can precipitate coma), renal impairment (start with small doses), cardiovascular disease, Parkinson`s disease (may be exacerbated by antipsychotics), epilepsy (and conditions predisposing to epilepsy), depression, myasthenia gravis, prostatic hypertrophy, or a personal or family history of angle-closure glaucoma (avoid pericyazine in these condition). Caution is also required in severe respiratory disease and in a patient with history of jaundice or who have blood dyscrasias (perform blood counts if unexplained infection or fever develops). Antipsychotic should be used with caution in the elderly, who are perticularly susceptible to postural hypotension or to hyper or hypothermia in very hot or cold weather. Serious consideration should be given before prescribing these drugs for elderly patients. As photosensitisation may occur with higher dosages, patients should avoid direct sunlight. DRIVING: Drowsiness may affect performance of skilled tasks (e.g driving or operating machinery), especially at start of treatment; effects of alcohol are enhanced. WITHDRAWL: Withdrawl of antipsychotic drugs after long-term therapy should always be gradual and closely monitored to avoid the risk of acute withdrawl syndrome or rapid relapse.