Iloperidone (
Fanapt™) is a prescription medication approved for the treatment of
schizophrenia.
Side Effects of Iloperidone
As with any medicine, iloperidone may cause side effects.
However, not everyone who takes the drug will experience side effects. In fact, most people tolerate it quite well. If side effects do occur, in most cases, they are minor and either require no treatment or are easily treated by you or your healthcare provider. Serious side effects are less common.
Some of the most common side effects include, but are not limited to:
(Click Side Effects of Iloperidone to learn more, including potentially serious side effects that you should report immediately to your healthcare provider.)
What Should I Tell My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Iloperidone?
You should talk with your healthcare provider prior to taking this medication if you have:
Also, let your healthcare provider know if you are:
Make sure to tell your healthcare provider about any other medicines you are taking, including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.
The dose your healthcare provider recommends will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
- How you respond to iloperidone
- Other medications you are taking
- Other medical conditions you may have.
As always, do not adjust your dose unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
During studies, accidental overdoses of this medication caused symptoms such as drowsiness, low
blood pressure, or a rapid heart rate. If you happen to overdose on this product, seek immediate medical attention.
What Should I Do If I Miss a Dose of Iloperidone?
If you forget to take your dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, simply skip the missed dose and continue with your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose of the medication.
Iloperidone belongs to a group of medications called atypical (or second-generation)
antipsychotic medications. It is not entirely known how the drug works for the treatment of
schizophrenia. However, it is known that iloperidone blocks or lessens the effects of certain chemicals in the brain. These brain chemicals (such as dopamine and serotonin) may be elevated in people with schizophrenia.
Clinical Effects
This medication has been thoroughly evaluated in clinical studies. These studies compared iloperidone to a placebo (a "sugar pill" that does not contain any active ingredients) or other antipsychotic medications to treat acute schizophrenia.
Although this medication was more effective than a placebo, it seemed to be less effective (at least early on) compared to certain other antipsychotics. It is thought that this is probably due to the fact that iloperidone must be started at a low dose (and the dosage must be slowly increased).
When and How to Take Iloperidone
Some general considerations include the following:
- The medicine comes in tablet form. It is usually taken by mouth twice a day.
- It does not matter if you take this medication with food or on an empty stomach.
- For the medication to work properly, it must be taken as prescribed. It will not work if you stop taking it.
Is There a Generic Version of Iloperidone?
Currently, iloperidone is not available in generic form.
Iloperidone is made by Vanda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
Iloperidone tablets should be stored at room temperature, away from light and moisture. Keep this and all other medications out of the reach of children and pets.
Strengths of Iloperidone Available
Iloperidone tablets come in the following strengths:
- Iloperidone 1 mg
- Iloperidone 2 mg
- Iloperidone 4 mg
- Iloperidone 6 mg
- Iloperidone 8 mg
- Iloperidone 10 mg
- Iloperidone 12 mg.
