Zotepine comes as a tablet to be taken by mouth with food or on an empty stomach.
Adult Dose:
• The dose should be initially started with 25mg three times daily.
• The dosage can be increased accordingly as per physician advice, however, the maximum dose should not exceed 100mg thrice daily or 75mg thrice a day in the elderly.
• Breastfeeding mothers as it may pass through breast milk and harm the baby. Also, it should not be taken in pregnancy particularly in the third trimester as the newborn may suffer from abnormal muscle movements and breathing difficulties.
• Patients with a history of seizures in self or family.
• Patients with prolonged QT interval, a type of ECG abnormality.
• Patients who take sibutramine for treating obesity. Sibutramine is currently banned in most countries.
• Children under 18 years of age.
• Patients allergic to zotepine.
• Patients with acute gout or a history of kidney stones.
• Elderly patients with dementia.
• Patients taking other CNS depressants like alcohol.
Dosage & When it is to be taken
For the treatment of schizophrenia:Adult Dose:
• The dose should be initially started with 25mg three times daily.
• The dosage can be increased accordingly as per physician advice, however, the maximum dose should not exceed 100mg thrice daily or 75mg thrice a day in the elderly.
When it is not to be taken (Contraindications)
Zotepine should not be used in:• Breastfeeding mothers as it may pass through breast milk and harm the baby. Also, it should not be taken in pregnancy particularly in the third trimester as the newborn may suffer from abnormal muscle movements and breathing difficulties.
• Patients with a history of seizures in self or family.
• Patients with prolonged QT interval, a type of ECG abnormality.
• Patients who take sibutramine for treating obesity. Sibutramine is currently banned in most countries.
• Children under 18 years of age.
• Patients allergic to zotepine.
• Patients with acute gout or a history of kidney stones.
• Elderly patients with dementia.
• Patients taking other CNS depressants like alcohol.