Prolixin Uses

Prolixin uses are primarily concerned with controlling symptoms of psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia, delusional disorder, and schizoaffective disorder. Although Prolixin cannot cure these conditions, it can help to control symptoms. On occasion, a healthcare provider may prescribe the drug to treat other conditions. These off-label Prolixin uses include the treatment of dementia and agitation.

 

An Overview of Prolixin Uses

 Prolixin® (fluphenazine) is a prescription medicine known as a "typical antipsychotic" that has been licensed to treat psychotic disorders, such as schizophrenia.
 
Schizophrenia is one of the most confusing and disabling mental illnesses. The term refers to a group of mental disorders that involve abnormal thinking. Although the causes of schizophrenia are not fully understood, it is currently thought that genetics and environmental factors play important roles. Depending on the type of schizophrenia (see Types of Schizophrenia), symptoms may include the following:
 
  • Hallucinations
  • Delusions
  • Thought disorders
  • Disorders of movement
  • Flat affect (immobile facial expression, monotonous voice)
  • Lack of pleasure in everyday life
  • A diminished ability to initiate and sustain planned activity
  • Speaking infrequently, even when forced to interact
  • Poor executive functioning (the ability to absorb and interpret information and make decisions based on that information)
  • An inability to stay focused
  • Problems with working memory (the ability to keep recently learned information in mind and use it right away).
     
Although psychotherapy may be helpful for schizophrenia (see Psychosocial Therapy for Schizophrenics), medication is often essential to successful schizophrenia treatment. Prolixin can help improve the symptoms of schizophrenia; however, it is not a cure.
 
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;