Fluspirilene
June 23, 2012 | 20,00 EUR | answered by Dr. med. Frauke Gehring
Dear Doctor,
I am a therapist and I would like to inject myself with Fluspirilene intramuscularly once a week for a period of about 2 months. What experiences do you have with early dyskinesia, late dyskinesia, or other neuroleptic side effects? Is Fluspi mostly well tolerated by the majority of patients? I would like to be able to work during this time! I do not take any other medication, except for benzodiazepines in case of emergency, but only intermittently due to the risk of abuse. Thank you for your response.
Good day,
I can only advise against this approach! It is now consensus that Fluspi should only be used as a second-line medication and only for a very short period of time. I myself no longer use it at all, as it is not suitable as a treatment for depression (in fact it can trigger it!) and is too side-effect-laden as a sedative. I have seen tardive dyskinesia more frequently, early dyskinesia less often. But the medication can trigger anxiety and restlessness, and I almost always (!) experienced the tendency for dose increases.
There is also a danger if you are administering it yourself: you will find enough "good reasons" to increase the dose, especially if the side effect is restlessness that you want to combat with a higher dose. The risk of abuse that you are exposed to with benzodiazepines also exists with Fluspi.
You did not mention what type of therapist you are. In your place, I would consider Mirtazapine, which combats restlessness well and is not as side-effect-laden.
Best regards, Dr. Höllering
