CLOPIXOL 25 mg Cpr pell Plq/30

Film-coated tablet.
Box of 30 tablets in blister packs.
Box of 56 tablets under blister packs (hospital model).

For one film-coated tablet :

Zuclopenthixol dihydrochloride : 29,55 mg
Corresponding to zuclopenthixol base : 25,00 mg

Excipients with known effect: lactose, hydrogenated castor oil.

Excipients:

Chronic psychotic states (schizophrenias, chronic non-schizophrenic delusional disorders: paranoid delusions, chronic hallucinatory psychoses).

Short-term treatment of states of agitation and aggressiveness during acute and chronic psychotic states (schizophrenias, chronic non-schizophrenic delusional disorders: paranoid delusions, chronic hallucinatory psychoses).

CLOPIXOL is indicated in adults only.

Dosage

The dosage must be strictly adapted to each case.

Short-term treatment of states of agitation and aggressiveness during acute and chronic psychotic states (schizophrenias, chronic non-schizophrenic delusional disorders: paranoid delusions, chronic hallucinatory psychoses).

The dosage will be gradually increased in steps of 10 to 20 mg: in some cases, it will be 10 to 50 mg. The average dosage is between 50 and 100 mg but it may reach 200 mg depending on the patient's condition.

Chronic psychotic states (schizophrenias, chronic non-schizophrenic delusional disorders: paranoid delusions, chronic hallucinatory psychoses).

Maintenance treatment: 20 to 50 mg per day.

Paediatric population

The use of CLOPIXOL is not recommended for the treatment of children and adolescents.

Method of administration

Oral use.

This medicine is contraindicated in the following situations:

• Hypersensitivity to the active substance or to any of the excipients listed in section Composition,
• risk of angle-closure glaucoma,
• risk of urinary retention related to urethro-prostatic disorders,
• severe hepatic and/or renal insufficiency,
• disturbances of consciousness whatever the cause (for example alcohol, barbiturate or opiate intoxication), coma,
• in association with a non-Parkinson dopaminergic agent (cabergoline, quinagolide), citalopram, escitalopram, hydroxyzine, domperidone, piperaquine (see section Interactions).

If unexplained hyperthermia occurs, it is imperative to discontinue treatment, as this sign may be one of the elements of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (pallor, hyperthermia, autonomic disturbances, altered consciousness, muscle rigidity). Signs of autonomic dysfunction, such as sweating and arterial instability, may precede the onset of hyperthermia and therefore constitute early warning signs.

Although this effect of neuroleptics may be idiosyncratic in origin, certain risk factors appear to predispose to it, such as dehydration or organic brain damage.

Symptoms may persist for more than one week after discontinuation of oral neuroleptics, and slightly longer when they are associated with the LP forms of these medicinal products.

Extrapyramidal effects may occur, particularly at the start of treatment. In most cases, these adverse effects can be satisfactorily controlled by reducing the dose and/or administering antiparkinsonian agents. The use of antiparkinsonian agents is not recommended as routine prophylaxis. Antiparkinsonian medicinal products do not alleviate tardive dyskinesias and may worsen them. Reducing the dose or, where possible, discontinuing treatment with zuclopenthixol is recommended. In cases of persistent akathisia, a benzodiazepine or propranolol may be useful.

Dysphagia may occur secondary to extrapyramidal symptoms, as well as to sialorrhoea, sedation or neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and may lead to potentially fatal complications such as aspiration pneumonia and choking.

Special monitoring of epileptic patients and subjects with other predisposing factors (brain damage) may be advised because of the possibility of lowering of the epileptogenic threshold.

Biological monitoring (transaminases, liver function tests) is recommended in chronic alcoholics and in patients who have previously experienced serious hepatic impairment.

Caution:

• in elderly subjects because of their marked sensitivity (sedation and hypotension),
• in severe cardiovascular disorders, because of haemodynamic changes, in particular hypotension,
• in renal or hepatic insufficiency, because of the risk of overdose,
• in patients with Parkinson's disease who absolutely require neuroleptic treatment.

Prolongation of the QT interval

Zuclopenthixol may cause prolongation of the QT interval. This effect, known to potentiate the risk of occurrence of serious ventricular arrhythmias, notably of the torsades de pointes type, is increased by the presence of bradycardia, hypokalaemia, congenital or acquired long QT (association with a medicinal product increasing the QT interval) (see section Adverse effects).

Therefore, when the clinical situation permits, it is advisable to ensure before any administration that there are no factors that may favour the occurrence of this arrhythmia:

• bradycardia below 55 beats per minute,
• hypokalaemia,
• congenital prolongation of the QT interval,
• current treatment with a medicinal product likely to cause marked bradycardia (< 55 beats per minute), hypokalaemia, slowing of intracardiac conduction, or prolongation of the QT interval (see section Interactions).

Except in emergency situations, it is recommended to perform an ECG as part of the initial assessment of patients who are to be treated long-term with a neuroleptic.

Cases of hyperglycaemia or glucose intolerance and the occurrence or exacerbation of diabetes have been reported in patients treated with antipsychotics (see section Adverse effects).

Patients treated with CLOPIXOL should undergo clinical and biological monitoring in accordance with current recommendations on cardiometabolic follow-up. Particular attention is recommended for diabetic patients or those with risk factors for diabetes, and the antidiabetic treatment should be adjusted if necessary.

Cases of venous thromboembolism (VTE) have been reported with antipsychotics. Since patients treated with antipsychotics often present acquired risk factors for VTE, all risk factors for VTE should be identified before and during treatment with CLOPIXOL, and preventive measures should be taken where appropriate.

Elderly

Cerebrovascular accident

In randomised placebo-controlled clinical studies conducted in elderly patients with dementia treated with certain atypical antipsychotics, a higher risk of cerebrovascular accident compared with placebo was observed. The mechanism of such an increased risk is not known. An increased risk with other antipsychotics or in other patient populations cannot be excluded. This medicinal product should be used with caution in patients with risk factors for cerebrovascular accident.

Increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia

The results of two observational studies conducted in a large number of patients showed that elderly patients with dementia treated with antipsychotics present a slight increase in the risk of mortality compared with those not treated. The available data are insufficient to establish a precise estimate of this risk, and the cause of this increase is unknown.

CLOPIXOL is not authorised for the treatment of behavioural disorders associated with dementia.

Related to excipients

This medicine contains lactose. Patients with galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption syndrome (rare hereditary diseases) must not take this medicine.

This medicine contains hydrogenated castor oil and may cause stomach pain and diarrhoea.

Sedative medicinal products

It must be taken into account that many medicines or substances can add together their central nervous system depressant effects and contribute to reduced alertness. These include morphine derivatives (analgesics, antitussives and substitution treatments), neuroleptics, barbiturates, benzodiazepines, anxiolytics other than benzodiazepines (for example, meprobamate), hypnotics, sedative antidepressants (amitriptyline, doxepin, mianserin, mirtazapine, trimipramine), sedating H1 antihistamines, centrally acting antihypertensives, baclofen and thalidomide.

Medicinal products that may induce torsades de pointes

This serious heart rhythm disorder can be caused by a number of medicines, whether antiarrhythmic or not. Hypokalaemia (see "hypokalaemia-inducing medicines") is a predisposing factor, as are bradycardia (see "bradycardia-inducing medicines") or a pre-existing prolongation of the QT interval, whether congenital or acquired.

The medicines responsible for this adverse effect include, in particular, class Ia and class III antiarrhythmics, and certain neuroleptics. Other molecules not belonging to these classes are also implicated.

For dolasetron, erythromycin, spiramycin and vincamine, only the forms administered intravenously are concerned by this interaction.

The use of a torsadogenic medicine with another torsadogenic medicine is generally contraindicated.

However, some of them, because of their essential nature, are exceptions to the rule, being only advised against with other torsadogenic medicines. These are methadone, antiparasitics (chloroquine, halofantrine, lumefantrine, pentamidine) and neuroleptics.

However, citalopram, escitalopram, domperidone, hydroxyzine and piperaquine do not follow this relaxation and are contraindicated with all torsadogenic medicines.

Atropinic medicinal products

It must be taken into account that atropine-like substances can add up their undesirable effects and more easily cause urinary retention, an acute attack of glaucoma, constipation, dry mouth, etc.

The various anticholinergic medicines are represented by imipramine-like antidepressants, most anticholinergic H1 antihistamines, anticholinergic antiparkinsonian agents, anticholinergic antispasmodics, disopyramide, phenothiazine neuroleptics as well as clozapine.

Medicines causing orthostatic hypotension

Besides antihypertensives, many medicines may cause orthostatic hypotension. This is notably the case for nitrates, phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitors, alpha-blockers used in urology, imipramine-like antidepressants and phenothiazine neuroleptics, dopamine agonists and levodopa. Their concomitant use therefore risks increasing the frequency and intensity of this undesirable effect. Refer to the interactions specific to each class, with the corresponding levels of constraint.

Contraindicated combinations

+ Non-Parkinson dopaminergic agents (cabergoline, quinagolide)

Reciprocal antagonism between the dopamine agonist and neuroleptics.

+ Citalopram, escitalopram

Increased risk of ventricular rhythm disorders, in particular torsades de pointes.

+ Hydroxyzine

Increased risk of ventricular rhythm disorders, in particular torsades de pointes.

+ Domperidone

Increased risk of ventricular rhythm disorders, in particular torsades de pointes.

+ Piperaquine

Increased risk of ventricular rhythm disorders, in particular torsades de pointes.

Combinations not recommended

+ Alcohol (beverage or excipient)

Potentiation by alcohol of the sedative effect of neuroleptics.

Impaired alertness may make driving vehicles and using machines dangerous.

Avoid taking alcoholic beverages and medicines containing alcohol.

+ Levodopa

Reciprocal antagonism of levodopa and neuroleptics.

In parkinsonian patients, use the minimum effective doses of each of the two medicines.

+ Dopaminergic antiparkinsonian agents (amantadine, apomorphine, bromocriptine, entacapone, lisuride, pergolide, piribedil, pramipexole, rasagiline, ropinirole, rotigotine, selegiline, tolcapone)

Reciprocal antagonism between the dopamine agonist and neuroleptics.

The dopaminergic agent may cause or worsen psychotic disorders. If neuroleptic treatment is necessary in a parkinsonian patient treated with dopaminergic agents, the latter must be gradually reduced until discontinued (abrupt discontinuation exposes the patient to a risk of "neuroleptic malignant syndrome").

+ Antiparasitic agents liable to cause torsade de pointes (chloroquine, halofantrine, lumefantrine, pentamidine)

Increased risk of ventricular rhythm disorders, in particular torsades de pointes.

If possible, interrupt one of the two treatments. If the combination cannot be avoided, prior QT check and monitored ECG surveillance.

+ Hydroxychloroquine

Increased risk of ventricular rhythm disorders, in particular torsades de pointes.

+ Methadone

Increased risk of ventricular rhythm disorders, in particular torsades de pointes.

+ Other neuroleptics liable to cause torsades de pointes (amisulpride, chlorpromazine, cyamemazine, droperidol, flupentixol, fluphenazine, haloperidol, levomepromazine, pimozide, pipamperone, pipotiazine, sulpiride, sultopride, tiapride)

Increased risk of ventricular rhythm disorders, in particular torsades de pointes.

+ Other medicines liable to cause torsades de pointes (amiodarone, arsenious compounds, diphemanil, disopyramide, dolasetron IV, dronedarone, erythromycin IV, hydroquinidine, mequitazine, mizolastine, moxifloxacin, prucalopride, quinidine, sotalol, spiramycin IV, toremifene, vandetanib, vincamine IV)

Increased risk of ventricular rhythm disorders, in particular torsades de pointes.

+ Sodium oxybate

Increased central depression. Impaired alertness may make driving vehicles and using machines dangerous.

Associations requiring precautions for use

+ Beta-blockers in heart failure (bisoprolol, carvedilol, metoprolol, nebivolol)

Vasodilating effect and risk of hypotension, particularly orthostatic (additive effect), and increased risk of ventricular rhythm disorders, particularly torsades de pointes.

Clinical and electrocardiographic monitoring.

+ Bradycardic agents

Increased risk of ventricular rhythm disorders, in particular torsades de pointes.

Clinical and electrocardiographic monitoring.

+ Hypokalaemia-inducing agents

Increased risk of ventricular rhythm disorders, in particular torsades de pointes.

Correct any hypokalaemia before administering the product and carry out clinical, electrolyte and electrocardiographic monitoring.

+ Anagrelide

Increased risk of ventricular rhythm disorders, in particular torsades de pointes.

Clinical and electrocardiographic monitoring during the combination.

+ Azithromycin, clarithromycin, roxithromycin

Increased risk of ventricular rhythm disorders, in particular torsades de pointes.

Clinical and electrocardiographic monitoring during the combination.

+ Ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, norfloxacin

Increased risk of ventricular rhythm disorders, in particular torsades de pointes.

Clinical and electrocardiographic monitoring during the combination.

+ Ondansetron

Increased risk of ventricular rhythm disorders, in particular torsades de pointes.

+ Lithium

Risk of onset of neuropsychiatric signs suggestive of neuroleptic malignant syndrome or of lithium intoxication.

Regular clinical and biological monitoring, particularly at the start of the combination.

Associations to be taken into account

+ Medicines lowering blood pressure

Risk of increased hypotension, in particular orthostatic hypotension.

+ Other atropinic medicines

Additive atropine-like undesirable effects such as urinary retention, constipation, dry mouth...

+ Other sedative medicines

Increased central depression.

Impaired alertness may make driving vehicles and using machines dangerous.

+ Dapoxetine

Risk of increased adverse effects, notably dizziness or syncope.

+ Orlistat

Risk of therapeutic failure in case of concomitant treatment with orlistat.

Pregnancy

Animal studies have shown reproductive toxicity (see section Preclinical safety).

Maintaining good maternal psychological balance is desirable throughout pregnancy to avoid any decompensation. If drug treatment is necessary to ensure this balance, it must be initiated or continued at an effective dose throughout pregnancy.

Clinical data are insufficient to draw a conclusion.

It is preferable to avoid using CLOPIXOL during pregnancy, regardless of the term. If it proves essential to prescribe CLOPIXOL treatment during pregnancy, newborns must be closely monitored.

Indeed, newborns exposed to antipsychotics (including CLOPIXOL) during the third trimester of pregnancy present a risk of adverse events including extrapyramidal symptoms and/or withdrawal symptoms, which may vary in severity and duration after birth. The following reactions have been reported: agitation, hypertonia, hypotonia, tremors, abnormal drowsiness, respiratory distress, feeding disorders.

Breast-feeding

Breastfeeding is not recommended during the duration of treatment.

Fertility

Administration of zuclopenthixol has resulted in impaired fertility in animals (see section Preclinical safety).

CLOPIXOL may cause hyperprolactinaemia and disorders of reproductive function (see section Adverse effects) which may have an impact on female and/or male fertility.

Attention is drawn, in particular to drivers of vehicles and users of machinery, to the risks of drowsiness associated with the use of this medicine.

The majority of adverse effects are dose-dependent. The frequency and severity of these effects are more pronounced at the start of treatment and subside thereafter.

The frequencies of the adverse effects below are not determinable (cannot be estimated from the available data from clinical trials, literature data and spontaneous reports).

Blood and lymphatic system disorders	Leukopenia, neutropenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia.
Immune system disorders	Hypersensitivity, anaphylactic reactions.
Endocrine disorders	Hyperprolactinemia.
Metabolism and nutrition disorders	Increased or decreased appetite, hyperlipidaemia, hyperglycaemia, glucose intolerance.
Psychiatric disorders	Apathy, confusion, decreased libido, insomnia, abnormal dreams, depression, agitation, anxiety, nervousness.
Nervous system disorders	Convulsion, akathisia, dyskinesia, tardive dyskinesia, dystonia, extrapyramidal syndrome or parkinsonism (such as tremor, hyperkinesia, hypokinesia, hypertonia, hyperreflexia), speech disorder, drowsiness, syncope, dizziness, gait disturbances, ataxia, hypotonia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, extrapyramidal symptoms (very common) (see section Warnings and precautions).
Eye disorders	Oculogyric crisis, accommodation disorder, visual disturbances.
Ear and labyrinth disorders	Vertigo.
Cardiac disorders	Ventricular tachycardia, torsades de pointes, cardiac arrest, unexplained sudden death.
Vascular disorders	Hypotension, venous thromboembolism (see section Warnings and precautions).
Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders	Dyspnoea.
Gastrointestinal disorders	Hypersalivation, dry mouth, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation sometimes persistent, dysphagia* (rare) (see section Warnings and precautions).
Hepatobiliary disorders	Abnormal liver function tests, jaundice, hepatitis.
Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders	Pruritus, hyperhidrosis, skin eruption, of the rash type, erythema.
Musculoskeletal and systemic disorders	Muscle rigidity, torticollis, trismus, myalgia.
Renal and urinary disorders	Urinary retention, micturition disorder.
Pregnancy, puerperal and perinatal conditions	Neonatal withdrawal syndrome (see section Fertility, pregnancy and breastfeeding).
Disorders of the reproductive system and breast	Gynaecomastia, galactorrhoea, ejaculation disorder, erectile dysfunction, priapism, orgasm disorders in women, amenorrhoea.
General disorders and administration site conditions	Hypothermia, fever, asthenia, malaise.
Investigations	Weight gain or loss, prolongation of the QT interval, increase in creatine phosphokinase.

* Dysphagia may occur as a result of extrapyramidal symptoms, as well as sialorrhoea, sedation or neuroleptic malignant syndrome, and may lead to potentially fatal complications such as aspiration pneumonia and choking.

Abrupt discontinuation of zuclopenthixol may be accompanied by withdrawal symptoms. The most frequent symptoms are: nausea, vomiting, anorexia, diarrhoea, rhinorrhoea, sweating, myalgia, paraesthesia, insomnia, restlessness, anxiety and agitation. Patients may also present with dizziness, an alternating sensation of heat and cold, and tremor.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via the national reporting system: National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) and the network of Regional Pharmacovigilance Centres - Website: https://signalement.social-sante.gouv.fr.

Symptoms

Somnolence, coma, extrapyramidal syndrome, convulsions, shock, hyperthermia/hypothermia.

ECG changes, prolongation of the QT interval, torsades de pointes, cardiac arrest and ventricular arrhythmias have been reported in cases of overdose in combination with medicinal products known for their cardiac effects.

Treatment

Gastric lavage should be instituted as soon as possible after oral ingestion. It may be followed by administration of activated charcoal and cardiorespiratory monitoring. Do not use adrenaline because stimulation of the receptors β-adrenergic may lead to hypotension.

Pharmacotherapeutic class: antipsychotic - thioxanthene derivative, ATC code: N05AF05.

Zuclopenthixol is a neuroleptic from the thioxanthene family.

It acts by blocking dopaminergic D₁ and D₂. It also has anticholinergic and alpha-sympatholytic effects.

Clinically, zuclopenthixol is a neuroleptic characterised by:

• an antipsychotic and antihallucinatory effect,
• a sedative effect.

Absorption of zuclopenthixol is rapid and the maximum serum concentration is reached after approximately 4 hours. The plasma half-life is approximately 20 hours in adults.

Small amounts of the product may cross the placental barrier and its presence has also been detected in breast milk.

The metabolism of zuclopenthixol follows essentially three pathways:

• sulfoxidation,
• N-dealkylation of the side chain,
• glucuro-conjugation.

Excretion is essentially faecal.

Reproductive toxicity

A delay in mating and a decreased conception rate were noted in rats treated at doses below the maximum therapeutic dose of 200 mg (taking body surface area into account). In dogs, disruption of the ovarian cycle and impairment of spermiogenesis were reported at 5 times the maximum therapeutic dose of 200 mg (taking body surface area into account).

Embryofoetal developmental toxicity studies conducted in rats and rabbits did not show embryotoxic or teratogenic effects. In a peri-/postnatal development study conducted in rats, an increase in the number of stillbirths, reduced neonatal survival and delayed neonatal development were reported at doses below the maximum therapeutic dose of 200 mg (based on body surface area).

2 years.

Store at a temperature not exceeding +25 °C.

Store the blister packs in the outer packaging, protected from moisture.

Any unused medicinal product or waste material should be disposed of in accordance with local requirements.

List I

Marketing authorisation (AMM)

CIP 3400936954397 (Blist/30). CIP 3400930235430 (Blist PVC/PE/PVDC/Alu/56).

Price:

9,12 euros (Blist/30).

Social security reimbursement at 65%. Collective.

Hospital model: Collect.