Fanapt (iloperidone) is used to improve mood, thoughts, and behaviors in adults who have schizophrenia, but it can be expensive because it's only available as brand name.
Schizophrenia
Fanapt (iloperidone) is an atypical antipsychotic. It makes dopamine and serotonin levels more stable in your brain to help control your thoughts, mood, and behaviors.
Source:Â FDA
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
More common
Fast, pounding, or irregular heartbeat or pulse
Less common
Blurred vision
body aches or pain
chills
cold sweats
confusion
difficult or labored breathing
difficulty with moving
difficulty with speaking
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
ear congestion
headache
inability to sit still
loss of balance control
loss of voice
muscle pain or stiffness
muscle trembling, jerking, or stiffness
need to keep moving
pain in the joints
restlessness
shakiness in the legs, arms, hands, or feet
shortness of breath
shuffling walk
stiffness of the limbs
sweating
tightness in the chest
trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
twitching, twisting, uncontrolled repetitive movements of the tongue, lips, face, arms, or legs
uncontrolled movements, especially of the face, neck, and back
unusual drowsiness, dullness, tiredness, weakness, or feeling of sluggishness
Rare
Abdominal or stomach fullness
aching or discomfort in the lower legs or sensation of crawling in the legs
actions that are out of control
aggressive or angry
agitation
attack, assault, or force
back pain
black, tarry stools
bloody nose
burning while urinating
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
chest pain or discomfort
coma
confusion as to time, place, or person
convulsions
decrease in the amount of urine
decrease in the frequency of urination
decrease in urine volume
decreased awareness or responsiveness
decreased urination
decreased weight
difficult or painful urination
difficulty in passing urine (dribbling)
difficulty with walking
dilated neck veins
dizziness
dry skin and hair
extreme thirst
extremely high fever or body temperature
fainting
false beliefs that cannot be changed by facts
fast, shallow breathing
feeling cold
gaseous abdominal pain
groin pain
hoarseness or husky voice
holding false beliefs that cannot be changed by fact
hostility
inability to move the eyes
increased blinking or spasms of the eyelid
increased thirst
irregular breathing
irritability
lightheadedness
loss of appetite
loss of bladder control
mimicry of speech or movements
mood swings
muscle aching or cramping
muscle twitching
nausea or vomiting
nervousness
noisy breathing
noisy, rattling breathing
numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips
pale, clammy skin
peculiar postures or movements, mannerisms, or grimacing
pounding, slow heartbeat
rapid breathing
rapid weight gain
recurrent fever
restlessness
seizures
severe sleepiness
slow movement
slow reflexes
sore tongue
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
sticking out of tongue
stupor
sunken eyes
swelling
swelling of the face, ankles, fingers, feet, or lower legs
swollen glands
swollen joints
swollen, tender prostate
talking, feeling, and acting with excitement
thirst
troubled breathing at rest
troubled breathing with exertion
uncontrolled twisting movements of the neck, trunk, arms, or legs
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual excitement, nervousness, or restlessness
unusual facial expressions
wrinkled skin
yellow eyes or skin
Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Rare
Absent, missed, or irregular menstrual periods
blindness
blurred vision
breast pain
burning feeling in the chest or stomach
burning upper abdominal pain
continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in the ears
decreased interest in sexual intercourse
decreased vision
delusions of persecution, mistrust, suspiciousness, or combativeness
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
hearing loss
inability to have or keep an erection
increase in blood flow to the whites of the eyes
increased appetite
increased watering of the mouth
indigestion
irritation or soreness of the mouth
longer or heavier menstrual periods
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
loss of bowel control
loss of memory
normal menstrual bleeding occurring earlier, possibly lasting longer than expected
problems with memory
redness, swelling, or itching of the eyelids
sensation of spinning
stomach upset
stopping of menstrual bleeding
swelling of the breasts or breast soreness in both females and males
swelling or inflammation of the mouth
tenderness in the stomach area
uncontrolled eye movements
Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
There are patient assistance programs that can lower the copay.
Available in many different strengths to make it easier to customize your dose
Available in specially-designed starter pack when you first start to help you figure out your dose.
Considered first choice treatment for schizophrenia symptom management
Can be expensive because it is only available as a brand medication
You will need to follow a strict dosing schedule the first two weeks as your body adjusts to the medication.
You might have to see your healthcare provider several times until you find a dose that works best for you.
Need to take twice a day
Takes up to 2 to 6 weeks before you will feel the medication's full effects.
You will likely go through a 2-week period of getting used to Fanapt (iloperidone), as it can cause changes in blood pressure. You might be more likely to faint or fall during this time.
Don't stop taking Fanapt (iloperidone) without talking to your healthcare provider, even if you start to feel better.
There may be metabolic changes while you are taking Fanapt (iloperidone). You should regularly check your blood sugar levels, cholesterol, triglycerides and weight as these can all increase your risk of heart disease.
When first starting out with Fanapt (iloperidone) it may make you sleepy and drowsy. Therefore you should not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how this medication affects you.
You should avoid drinking alcohol and you should not breastfeed while taking this medication.
You should let your healthcare provider know if you become pregnant or plan on becoming pregnant while taking this medication.
Let your healthcare provider know all the medications you are taking, including vitamins and herbal supplements as there can be drug interactions with Fanapt (iloperidone).
Fanapt (iloperidone) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Risk factors: Over age 65 with dementia
There is higher risk of death in people over 65 years old with dementia taking medications like Fanapt (iloperidone) to treat psychosis. Fanapt (iloperidone) is not approved for treatment of people with dementia-related psychosis.
This is a rare, but life-threatening condition associated with antipsychotic medications. Symptoms include high fever, fast heart rate, full body stiffness, and confusion. Seek medical attention right away if you notice any of these symptoms. Your healthcare provider will likely find you another medication that will work better for you.
Fanapt (iloperidone) can cause high blood sugar or diabetes, high cholesterol, and weight gain. These changes may raise your risk of heart disease and stroke. Talk to your healthcare provider about your risks and preventive measures you can take.
Risk factors: Long-term use of atypical antipsychotics
Long-term use of Fanapt (iloperidone) has been associated with tardive dyskinesia, a condition where you feel constantly restless. This can be permanent if it's not caught in time. Symptoms can include lip smacking, grimacing, and unusual eye blinking. Talk to your healthcare provider right away if this happens.
Risk factors: High blood pressure | History of heartbeat problems
Fanapt (iloperidone) can cause changes in your blood pressure and heart beat. Be careful when you get up from sitting or lying down for a while, because you might feel dizzy and possibly fall. If you've had problems in the past with your heart or heart rhythm, talk to your healthcare provider to see if you should take something else besides Fanapt (iloperidone). In addition, contact your healthcare provider if you feel faint or experience any abnormal heartbeats while using Fanapt (iloperidone).
Fanapt (iloperidone) can cause prolactin levels in the blood to go up. High prolactin levels can lead to fertility problems, enlarged male breasts, sexual dysfunction, absent or irregular menstrual periods, and weak bones. Your provider may do regular blood tests to make sure that prolactin levels are within normal range.
Fanapt (iloperidone) can make it harder for your body to control its own temperature. This can make it harder for your body to cool down after getting exposed to hot weather. It can also make it harder for your body to warm up after getting exposed to cold weather. Be careful to monitor your body temperatures when you're exposed to extreme temperatures outside.
Risk factors: Older adults with Alzheimer's dementia
Fanapt (iloperidone) can sometimes make it hard for you to swallow food or liquids. This can be dangerous if food or liquids get into your lungs, because it can cause issues with your breathing and potentially pneumonia. Make sure to chew your food completely and swallow carefully.
Treatment starts with a low dose and then gradually increases over 4 to 7 days. The usual target dose is 12 to 24 mg by mouth per day. Your healthcare provider will help figure out your dose, but generally you will take 1 tablet in the morning and 1 tablet in the evening.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
Psychotic and behavioral disorders
Tourette syndrome in adults and children
Hyperactivity in children
Schizophrenia - people ages 13 years and older
Manic or mixed episodes associated with bipolar I disorder - people ages 10 years and older
Irritability associated with autism - children ages 5 to 17 years old
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