Modalina (Trifluoperazine Hydrochloride)

Trifluoperazine hydrochloride is a typical antipsychotic that acts on dopamine pathways to control psychotic conditions.

• Schizophrenia: alleviates positive and negative symptoms and improves overall functioning.
• Acute psychotic disorders: reduces agitation, hallucinations, and delusions during crisis episodes.
• Chronic psychosis maintenance: helps prevent relapse and stabilizes long‑term mental health.

• Trifluoperazine hydrochloride blocks dopamine D2 receptors in the central nervous system, reducing dopaminergic neurotransmission. This antagonism diminishes the overactivity of dopamine pathways that underlie psychotic symptoms, while also exerting moderate antagonism at histamine, muscarinic, and alpha‑adrenergic receptors, contributing to its therapeutic and side‑effect profile.

Trifluoperazine may cause a range of adverse reactions, ranging from mild to serious.

Common Side Effects

• Sedation: feeling unusually sleepy or drowsy.
• Dry mouth: reduced salivation leading to discomfort.
• Constipation: slowed gastrointestinal motility.
• Blurred vision: temporary visual disturbances.
• Weight gain: increase in body weight over time.
• Orthostatic hypotension: dizziness upon standing.

Serious or Rare Side Effects

• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome: life‑threatening reaction with fever and muscle rigidity.
• Tardive dyskinesia: involuntary movements of face and limbs.
• Severe hypotension: marked drop in blood pressure.
• Cardiac arrhythmia: irregular heart rhythm.
• Agranulocytosis: dangerously low white blood cell count.
• Seizures: risk of convulsive episodes.

When prescribing or dispensing trifluoperazine, several safety considerations are important.

• Renal or hepatic impairment: monitor liver and kidney function closely.
• Elderly patients: increased risk of falls and sedation; start at low dose.
• History of cardiac disease: obtain baseline ECG and monitor for arrhythmias.
• Concomitant CNS depressants: risk of excessive sedation or respiratory depression.
• Pregnancy and lactation: safety not established; weigh benefits against risks.
• Store at ambient temperature below 25°C: keep in the original pack, protect from moisture.

Trifluoperazine can interact with other medicines, affecting its safety and efficacy.

Major Interactions (Avoid)

• CYP1A2 inhibitors (e.g., fluvoxamine): may increase plasma concentrations.
• CYP2D6 inhibitors (e.g., quinidine): can raise risk of toxicity.
• Antihypertensive agents: additive hypotensive effect.

Moderate Interactions (Monitor Closely)

• Other antipsychotics: may enhance central nervous system depression.
• Anticholinergic drugs: increased anticholinergic burden.
• Lithium: monitor serum levels for potential neurotoxicity.