Fluphenazine

The Basics

What is Fluphenazine?

Used to treat schizophrenia and psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, delusions, and hostility.

Brand names for Fluphenazine

Prolixin

How Fluphenazine is classified

Antipsychotic Agents, Phenothiazines

Fluphenazine During Pregnancy

Fluphenazine pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Fluphenazine while pregnant

N/A

Taking Fluphenazine While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Fluphenazine?

There is no published experience with fluphenazine during breastfeeding. Very limited long-term follow-up data indicate no adverse developmental effects when other phenothiazines are used alone. Because of the lack of published experience with fluphenazine during breastfeeding, other antipsychotic agents may be preferred, especially wile nursing an newborn or preterm infant. Monitor the infant for drowsiness and developmental milestones, especially if other antipsychotics are used concurrently.

Maternal / infant drug levels

There is no published experience with fluphenazine during breastfeeding. Very limited long-term follow-up data indicate no adverse developmental effects when other phenothiazines are used alone. Because of the lack of published experience with fluphenazine during breastfeeding, other antipsychotic agents may be preferred, especially wile nursing an newborn or preterm infant. Monitor the infant for drowsiness and developmental milestones, especially if other antipsychotics are used concurrently.

Possible effects of Fluphenazine on milk supply

Phenothiazines cause galactorrhea in 26 to 40% of female patients.[1][2] Hyperprolactinemia appears to be the cause of the galactorrhea.[3][4][5] The hyperprolactinemia is caused by the drug’s dopamine-blocking action in the tuberoinfundibular pathway.[6]

Fluphenazine elevates serum prolactin similar to other phenothiazines and has caused galactorrhea. The elevation is related to serum levels and lasts 2 to 4 weeks with the depot injectable formulation.[2][7] The maternal prolactin level in a mother with established lactation may not affect her ability to breastfeed.

Possible alternatives to Fluphenazine

Haloperidol, Risperidone.