Skin pigmentation, and lenticular and corneal opacities have been seen with long- term use of phenothiazines. Extrapyramidal symptoms may develop, and respiratory and circulatory collapse may occur. In cases of oral overdosing, gastric lavage should be carried out immediately and measures aimed at supporting the respiratory and cardiovascular systems instituted. If overdosing with parenteral flupenthixol occurs, no further injections should be given until the patient shows signs of relapse and the dosage should then be decreased. An airway should be maintained.
Severe hypotension calls for the immediate use of an i.v. vasopressor drug, such as levarterenol.
Epinephrine should not be used, as a further lowering of blood pressure may result. Antiparkinsonian medication should be administered only if extrapyramidal symptoms develop. Flupenthixol is administered by deep i.m. injection, preferably in the gluteus maximus. Flupenthixol is NOT for i.v. use. As a long acting depot preparation, flupenthixol has been found useful in the maintenance treatment of non agitated chronic schizophrenic patients who have been stabilized with short acting neuroleptics and might benefit from transfer to a longer acting injectable medication.