Precautions
Older adults with signs of dementia should not take this drug. In a 10 week placebo-controlled trial, seniors experiencing dementia who were treated with antipsychotic medication had a death rate of 4.5%, compared to only 2.6% in the placebo-controlled group.
Prolonged use of this medication may lead to the development of a severe and potentially irreversible movement condition called tardive dyskinesia.
Tell your doctor if you have ever been diagnosed with blood or liver diseases, especially any conditions that may impact the production of blood cells by bone marrow. Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other prescription drugs or supplements—including vitamins, minerals, and herbal products—before taking this medication. Some drugs may interact with Stelazine, including anticoagulants, antidepressants, barbiturates, diuretics, and medications for Parkinson’s disease and seizures. If you have kidney tumors, breast cancer, glaucoma, heart disease, or chest pain, you should tell your doctor about these conditions. Also, let your doctor know if you plan to work with organophosphorus insecticides during the course of your treatment.