Mellaril is prescribed to patients with schizophrenia, which is caused by imbalances of brain chemicals. Mellaril can help reduce the risk of suicide in these patients as well as some of the symptoms of schizophrenia. However, Mellaril has been linked to arrhythmias and sudden death.
Symptoms of schizophrenia include mood swings, speaking problems, social withdrawal, decreased movement and an inability to feel pleasure. These are called “negative symptoms” of schizophrenia. Positive symptoms include delusional thinking and hearing and seeing things that are only in the imagination.
Schizophrenia is caused by an imbalance of brain chemicals, particularly dopamine and seratonin, although researchers are not certain why these chemicals become imbalanced. Some believe it is a combination of in utero exposure to viruses, malnutrition or birth complications. Schizophrenia usually starts during one’s teen years or in early adulthood.
What are some important things I should know about Mellaril?
Mellaril has been linked to arrhythmias and sudden death. It should only be used to treat schizophrenic patients who have tried other treatments but did not receive adequate results. In order to decrease your chances of arrhythmia and sudden death, you should tell your doctor about any other medications you are taking and if you have a history of heart problems. Mellaril can interact harmfully with other drugs.
Mellaril is for schizophrenic patients who have already tried other drugs but failed to see results, or because doctors couldn’t safely administer a high enough dose of other medication.
Mellaril can cause arrhythmia or sudden death. It can also cause respiratory depression and respiratory arrest (difficulty breathing or inability to breathe) when combined with central nervous system depressants, which include:
- alcohol
- anesthetic
- barbiturates
- narcotics
- opiates
- atropine
- phosphorus insecticides
- Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS)
- potentially fatal
- has been linked to the administration of antipsychotic drugs
- patients experience hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, irregular pulse or blood pressure, acute renal failure
- Tardive Dyskinesia
- incurable syndrome
- involuntary movements that are irreversible
- highest among elderly women
You should contact your doctor immediately if you experience difficulty breathing, an irregular heartbeat, chest pain, restlessness, seizures, difficulty urinating, yellowing of the skin or eyes, difficulty swallowing, or unusual mouth, tongue or jaw movements.