Thioridazine

Uses	Schizophrenia
Therapy	Anti-Psychotics
Side Effects	Drowsiness, Confusion, Hyperactivity, Lethargy, Restlessness, Headache, Dryness of mouth, Blurred vision, Constipation, Nausea, Vomiting, Diarrhoea

100% Authentic
Medicines

Cash on delivery
available

Delivery across
19k pincodes

Molecule Description

Thioridazine is most commonly used for the treatment of schizophrenia. Thioridazine belongs to the therapeutic classification of antipsychotics. Since this medicine can cause potentially life-threatening side effects, it is prescribed only for people with schizophrenia who have not been responsive to or cannot tolerate other antipsychotic agents.

Uses

Treatment of schizophrenia

Contraindications

When should one not use Thioridazine

If you have thioridazine hypersensitivity or an allergy to any other ingredient of this medicine.
If you have congenital long QT syndrome
Thioridazine should not be administered to those in a comatose state.

Side effects

Common side effects of this drug are:

Drowsiness
Confusion
Hyperactivity
Lethargy
Restlessness
Headache
Dryness of mouth
Blurred vision
Constipation
Nausea
Vomiting
Diarrhoea

Precautions and Warnings

Pregnancy

Thioridazine is not recommended during pregnancy. It can cause harmful effects to the developing baby. Consult your doctor before taking Thioridazine. Do inform the doctor about your pregnancy or intention to conceive at the time of consultation.

Breast Feeding

It may be unsafe to use Thioridazine while breastfeeding. This medicine can be excreted into breast milk. You must seek medical consultation to decide whether to discontinue nursing or discontinue the medicine.

Driving

No. It is advisable to not drive or operate any heavy machinery that requires high mental alertness if you are taking Thioridazine. This medicine can cause side effects like dizziness, drowsiness, and blurred vision. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.

Alcohol

Thioridazine should not be used together with alcohol. Interaction of alcohol with this medicine can cause increased dizziness, drowsiness and may potentiate CNS depressant effects.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

You are breastfeeding or pregnant.
You conceive during the course of Thioridazine or are planning a pregnancy.
Your symptoms do not get resolved, or your condition worsens.
You have long term cardiac, liver, and kidney disease.
You have an addiction to alcohol or medicines.
You have a history of depression or anxiety.

Mode of Action

How Does It Work?

Thioridazine exerts its mechanism of action by acting on certain chemical neurotransmitters in the brain that help regulate mood and depression. Dopamine is a chemical messenger between neurons in the brain. It regulates mood and muscle movements, and plays an important role in the brain's pleasure and reward system. By blocking the dopamine, Thioridazine restores chemical imbalance in the brain. It further improves mood, thinking, and behaviour.

Interactions

Interactions with other medicines

To avoid undesirable side effects associated with medicine interaction, inform your doctor about all medicines and health supplements you are currently taking.
Thioridazine can cause adverse reactions when taken with the following medicines:
Interaction with Class IA antiarrhythmics (such as quinidine, disopyramide and procainamide) and Class III antiarrhythmics (such as amiodarone and sotalol) causes an increased QTc level leading to changes in heart rhythm.
Interaction with fluvoxamine, propranolol, and pindolol can inhibit the metabolism of thioridazine, leading to increased chances of its side effects.
Interaction with analgesics, sedatives, anxiolytics can cause additive CNS depressant effects.

Interactions with food items

There are no known adverse interactions of Thioridazine with food. Unless your physician suggests, there is no need to avoid any particular type of food or drink when taking Thioridazine.

Dosage

Overdose

An overdose of Thioridazine can cause decreased blood pressure, sedation and the risk of cardiac arrhythmias. In case of an overdose of Thioridazine, seek emergency medical treatment and contact your doctor immediately.

Missed a Dose

Take the missed dose of Thioridazine as soon as you remember. If the gap is too long or it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you have missed and continue with your regular schedule. Do not alter the recommended dosage, as it can have adverse effects.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis who undergo treatment with antipsychotic medicines like Thioridazine are at an increased risk of life-threatening side effects. It is usually not recommended for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis. Also, they are more prone to renal and hepatic impairment that can affect the clearance of the medicine from the body. Caution should be maintained in such cases.

No habit-forming tendencies were reported with Thioridazine.

Your doctor will decide on the suitable duration for treatment with Thioridazine. You should not stop using Thioridazine unless advised by your doctor. It is important to continue with your medication, even if you feel better. If you stop the treatment too early, the symptoms may return.

Articles

View All

Did you find this helpful?

References:

Sultana A, Reilly J, Fenton M. Thioridazine for schizophrenia. Cochrane Database Syst Rev [Internet]. 2000 [cited 2026 Jun 15];(3):CD001944.

Explore More at Pharmeasy

Why trust PharmEasy?

# ONE OF INDIA'S MOST TRUSTED HEALTHCARE PLATFORM

CODAvailable

100%Genuine Medicine

30 DAYReturn Policy

Making medicines affordable, authentic, and easily accessible across India

700+100% Genuine & verified medicines

70,000+Medicine orders everyday

70 MillionTotal customer served

70 MillionDelivery hubs & fulfillment centre

7000Trained & trusted delivery partners