Penfluridol

Penfluridol is used in the treatment of schizophrenia. It may also be used to treat depression and bipolar disorder. It alters the thoughts and elevates the mood, improving the person’s ability to think, feel and behave.

Penfluridol may be taken with or without food, preferably at the same time each day. Take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor and if you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. This medication mustn't be stopped suddenly without talking to your doctor as it may worsen your symptoms.

Some common side effects of this medicine include dry mouth, abnormality of voluntary movements, urinary retention, constipation, and muscle rigidity. Initially, this medicine may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure when you change positions, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. It may also cause dizziness and sleepiness, do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you.

Before taking it, inform your doctor if you are suffering from thyroid or kidney problems, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, glaucoma, or any heart problems. You should not take this medicine if you are under the influence of alcohol or any sleep-inducing, cough, and/ or allergy medication. This medicine can also lead to weight gain, eat a healthy balanced diet, avoid snacking with high-calorie food, and exercise regularly.

• Treatment of Schizophrenia
• Treatment of Depression
• Treatment of Bipolar disorder

Treatment of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder in which a person’s thinking ability, feelings, and behavior become abnormal. Penfluridol helps restore the chemical imbalances in the brain that are responsible for such changes. It improves thoughts, behavior and enhances the quality of life.

Treatment of Depression
Penfluridol helps in maintaining the balance of certain chemicals in the brain that affect mood and behavior. This improves your mood, relieves anxiety, tension, helps you sleep better, and increases your energy levels. Penfluridol prevents extreme mood changes and helps you feel less agitated. You may experience fewer episodes of depression and low mood.

Treatment of Bipolar disorder
Penfluridol works to restore the normal balance of nerve activity in your brain. It can help prevent extreme changes in mood and help you feel less agitated. You may experience fewer episodes of low mood. It can take several weeks for this medicine to work and you may still feel low during this time. It is likely that you will take this medicine for at least six months but possibly much longer. It needs to be taken regularly to work effectively. Do not stop taking it unless your doctor advises you to. You should continue to eat well and keep fit to reduce symptoms of bipolar disorder.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Mopendol

• Abnormality of voluntary movements
• Constipation
• Dryness in mouth
• Increased prolactin level in blood
• Muscle stiffness
• Orthostatic hypotension (sudden lowering of blood pressure on standing)
• Sleepiness
• Tremors
• Urinary retention
• Weight gain

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Penfluridol may be taken with or without food, but it is better to take it at a fixed time.
Avoid Penfluridol with salad and vegetable diet.

Penfluridol is a typical antipsychotic. It works by blocking the action of dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain that affects thoughts and mood.

• Take it at the same time every day to help you remember to take it.

• Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better.

• Use caution while driving or doing anything that requires concentration as Penfluridol can cause dizziness and sleepiness.

• Avoid consuming alcohol as it may increase the medicine side effects.

• Monitor your weight during the treatment as Penfluridol can cause weight change.

Salvatore Gentile, et al. Antipsychotic Therapy During Early and Late Pregnancy. A Systematic Review. Schizophrenia Bulletin, 2010; 36(9):518-44. [Accessed 25 Mar 2019] (online) Available from:

Soares BG, Lima MS. Penfluridol for schizophrenia. Cochrane Systematic Review. 2006; 19(2). [Accesed 25 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:

Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO). [Accessed 25 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from: