Course Summary

Thioridazine is a first-generation, typical antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia. It acts as a centrally acting dopamine receptor antagonist that also serves as an antagonist at histamine, noradrenaline, and serotonin receptors. In recent years, thioridazine has been replaced by many of the atypical antipsychotics that are known to have fewer extrapyramidal side effects. Warnings exist with the use of thioridazine relative to cardiac complications and an increased risk of sudden death, and there are age-related complications, such as hypertension and increased fall risk. The common side effects, risks, and benefits of thioridazine are discussed.

Course Format

Homestudy

Course Syllabus

1. Introduction
2. Pharmacological Profile, Dosing, Uses, and Warnings
   • Recommended Dosing
   • Dosage Strengths and Adjustments
3. Drug Warnings, Contraindications, and Adverse Effects
4. Warnings and Precautions of Thioridazine Use
   • Anticholinergic Effects
   • Cardiovascular
   • Central Nervous System: Extrapyramidal Symptoms
   • Falls
   • Gastrointestinal
   • Hematologic
   • Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
   • Ophthalmic
   • Prolactin Levels
   • Seizures
   • Venous Thromboembolism
   • Withdrawal/Discontinuation
   • Drug-Drug Interactions
   • Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
5. Treatment Uses of Thioridazine
6. Thioridazine Overdose
7. Case Study: Thioridazine
8. Summary

Author

Richard Daniels, PharmD, BCPS

Richard “Cole” Daniels earned his Doctor of Pharmacy(PharmD) from the Skaggs School of Pharmacy at the University of Montana in 2018. Throughout pharmacy school he completed a 3-year internship at Community Medical Center in Missoula, Montana in which he gained valuable experience in an acute care setting. Cole currently serves as a psychiatric clinical staff pharmacist at the Montana State Hospital. He has over 11 years of pharmacy experience having worked in several settings including retail, acute care, and inpatient psychiatric care. Cole has a diverse set of interests. However, acute care medicine, infectious disease, pain management, and asthma/COPD are a primary focus of his at the Montana State Hospital. He obtained board certification as a certified pharmacotherapy specialist in the Spring of 2022.