Stelazine® (Trifluoperazine) Tablets: Uses, Doses, and Safety

What Trifluoperazine Is and How It Works

Trifluoperazine is a first‑generation antipsychotic in the phenothiazine class. It helps manage symptoms of schizophrenia and short‑term severe anxiety when other measures fail. It is taken by mouth as tablets. Many patients look for trifluoperazine online to access stable supply and pricing, including those paying without insurance.

YouDrugstore is a licensed Canadian pharmacy headquartered in Manitoba, and a pharmacist reviews each prescription before dispensing. Trifluoperazine hydrochloride blocks dopamine D2 receptors in the brain. This reduces hallucinations, delusions, agitation, and severe anxiety. Effects on the chemoreceptor trigger zone also help with nausea, but this is not a primary indication. Canadian generics, including APO Trifluoperazine, contain trifluoperazine HCl in the listed strength.

Common strengths include 1 mg, 2 mg, and 5 mg tablets. Some regions also carry 10 mg. The active ingredient is trifluoperazine hydrochloride. The medicine is often used long term for schizophrenia. For severe anxiety, use is short term at the lowest effective dose. Learn more about the condition on our Schizophrenia page. For background reading, see Psychosis And Antipsychotics A Mind Is A Terrible Thing To Waste.

Dosage and Usage

• Swallow trifluoperazine tablet with water. You may take it with or without food.
• Schizophrenia (adults): typical start is 2–5 mg twice daily. Your prescriber may increase gradually. Usual maintenance is 15–20 mg per day in divided doses; some need more or less.
• Severe anxiety (short term): common dose is 1–2 mg twice daily. Do not use higher than needed. Courses are usually brief.
• Older adults: start low, such as 1 mg twice daily. Increase slowly as tolerated.
• Hepatic impairment: lower doses are often used. Monitor closely.
• Do not stop suddenly unless directed. Tapering helps reduce withdrawal and symptom rebound.
• Missed dose: take it when remembered unless it is close to the next dose. Do not double up.
• Avoid alcohol and limit other sedatives. Trifluoperazine can add to drowsiness.
• Use caution when driving until you know how trifluoperazine HCl affects you.

• Store trifluoperazine HCl tablet at 20–25°C (68–77°F).
• Keep tablets in the original bottle, tightly closed, and dry.
• Protect from light and humidity. Do not store in a bathroom.
• For travel, carry your prescription and keep medicine in your hand luggage.
• Avoid extreme heat or freezing. Do not use damaged or discolored tablets.
• Keep out of reach of children and pets.

Benefits and Savings

For schizophrenia, trifluoperazine uses include reducing hallucinations, paranoia, and disorganized thinking. It can calm agitation and improve daily functioning. For short‑term severe anxiety, low doses can reduce marked tension and restlessness when other treatments are not adequate.

Tablets are small and easy to split where scored. Multiple strengths help fine‑tune your dose. Many patients switch to a stable generic to support adherence.

You can purchase at Canadian prices and often see 60–80% savings compared with typical U.S. costs. This can lower your trifluoperazine price and overall trifluoperazine cost, including the trifluoperazine cash price for those paying without insurance. Multi‑month supplies can reduce the per‑month cost, and you can set helpful reorder reminders in your account.

We work with licensed, vetted partner pharmacies worldwide to offer authentic brand medicines and generics, a broad selection, and fair pricing.

Side Effects and Safety

• Drowsiness or dizziness
• Dry mouth or constipation
• Blurred vision
• Weight change or appetite change
• Headache
• Extrapyramidal symptoms (stiffness, tremor, restlessness)
• Orthostatic lightheadedness
• Menstrual changes or breast symptoms
• Skin sensitivity to sunlight
• Upset stomach

Serious effects are uncommon but need urgent care. These include neuroleptic malignant syndrome (fever, muscle rigidity, confusion), tardive dyskinesia (uncontrolled movements), severe constipation or ileus, seizures, jaundice or liver injury, agranulocytosis or low white counts, significant QT prolongation or arrhythmia, and allergic reactions. There is an increased risk of death in older adults with dementia‑related psychosis. Use with caution in Parkinson disease, glaucoma, prostate enlargement, bowel obstruction, heart disease, or seizure disorders. Discuss pregnancy and breastfeeding; newborns may experience withdrawal or EPS when exposed late in pregnancy.

Onset Time

Calming of agitation and severe anxiety may begin within several days. Sleep and tension often improve first. For schizophrenia, thinking and mood changes usually emerge over 1–2 weeks, with further gains over 4–6 weeks as dosing stabilizes. Extrapyramidal side effects can appear early and should be reported promptly.

Compare With Alternatives

Atypical antipsychotics are often first‑line for schizophrenia because of lower EPS risk. Zyprexa® (olanzapine) offers strong antipsychotic effects, with more metabolic monitoring needed. It can be suitable if prior response was good or EPS were a concern on typical agents.

Zyprexa Zydis® is an orally disintegrating form that dissolves quickly on the tongue. It may help patients who struggle to swallow tablets or need supervised dosing.

Quetiapine Xr provides once‑daily extended‑release dosing. It may help when sedation at bedtime is desired and when mood symptoms are prominent.

Trifluoperazine can still be chosen for prior good response, cost reasons, or when a typical antipsychotic is preferred. Your prescriber will weigh symptom profile, side effects, and medical history.

Combination Therapy

• Mood stabilizers (e.g., lithium, valproate) for schizoaffective features or mood episodes.
• Antidepressants for persistent depressive symptoms, with careful monitoring for interactions.
• Short‑term benzodiazepines for acute agitation or severe anxiety.
• Anticholinergics (e.g., benztropine) for troublesome EPS, using the lowest effective dose.
• Avoid other dopamine‑blocking drugs (e.g., metoclopramide) when possible to reduce EPS risk.
• Review QT‑prolonging medicines and adjust regimens to limit additive cardiac risk.

Patient Suitability and Cost-Saving Tips

Trifluoperazine may suit adults with schizophrenia who responded before or who prefer a typical antipsychotic. It may also be used briefly for severe anxiety when non‑drug options and other medicines have not worked. It is not approved for behavioral problems in dementia. Those with significant heart rhythm disorders, uncontrolled seizure disorders, narrow‑angle glaucoma, severe liver disease, or a history of tardive dyskinesia often need other options.

Tell your prescriber about all medicines, including antihypertensives, anticholinergics, antidepressants, antiarrhythmics, and antibiotics that can prolong QT. Phenothiazines can reduce the pressor effect of epinephrine; alternative vasopressors are preferred in emergencies. Limit alcohol and sedatives.

To manage your budget, compare trifluoperazine price across strengths. Ask your prescriber if you can consolidate tablets to one daily pick‑up. Choose multi‑month fills when appropriate. You can set email reminders to reorder before you run out. These steps help lower trifluoperazine out of pocket costs and support adherence for those uninsured.

Authoritative Sources

FDA Prescribing Information for Stelazine (trifluoperazine HCl)

Health Canada Drug Product Database

Order Trifluoperazine from YouDrugstore: add to cart, upload your prescription, and we ship with prompt, express shipping.

This material is educational and does not replace advice from your qualified health professional.