Tag: Mellaril

Mellaril, the brand name for thioridazine, is a first-generation antipsychotic primarily used for the management of schizophrenia in patients who have not responded to or tolerated other treatments. Due to significant cardiac risks, including life-threatening irregular heartbeats, the branded medication was withdrawn globally, and generic versions are used with extreme caution.

In 2020, chlorpromazine, the generic form of Thorazine, was prescribed to approximately half a million people in the United States [1.2.2]. For those seeking alternatives, it's essential to understand what drug is similar to Thorazine and the available options.

Mellaril (thioridazine), a first-generation antipsychotic, was voluntarily withdrawn from the global market in 2005 due to its potentially fatal, long-term cardiovascular side effects. Given this, understanding **what are the long-term effects of Mellaril** is crucial for those who may have taken it in the past or are considering a generic alternative under strict medical supervision.

Historically, thioridazine (Mellaril) was a common antipsychotic, and studies showed it caused significant weight gain during treatment. For those asking, 'Does Mellaril cause weight gain?', the answer is a definitive yes, though its use is now highly restricted due to serious cardiac side effects.

Due to significant, potentially fatal, heart rhythm effects, Mellaril is now only used to treat schizophrenia in patients who have failed or cannot tolerate at least two other antipsychotic drugs. Therefore, what Mellaril treats is a highly restricted and narrow patient population.

Mellaril, the brand name for the generic medication thioridazine, was historically a widely prescribed first-generation antipsychotic used primarily to treat schizophrenia. However, the medication's use has been severely restricted since the early 2000s due to the risk of life-threatening heart rhythm issues, prompting the question: what does mellaril do?