Quick answers
What is thiothixene?
Thiothixene (brand Navane) is a high-potency FGA primarily used for schizophrenia. It is an older, oral-only option with no LAI formulation (label/clinical).
What is Navane?
Navane is a brand name for thiothixene.
What is Navane (thiothixene) used for?
Label indications include: Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders (label-dependent).
What drug class is Navane (thiothixene)?
Antipsychotic.
What is the mechanism of action of Navane (thiothixene)?
High-potency thioxanthene first-generation antipsychotic (D2 antagonism); typically higher EPS risk than low-potency phenothiazines, with lower metabolic burden than many SGAs.
What strengths does Navane (thiothixene) come in?
Capsules: 1 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg (label/manufacturer-dependent).
Is Navane (thiothixene) a controlled substance?
No — it is not scheduled as a controlled substance under U.S. federal law.
Snapshot
- Class: Antipsychotic
- Common US brands: Navane
- Therapeutic drug monitoring not routinely recommended.
- Last reviewed: 2025-12-30
Clinical Highlights
Thiothixene (brand Navane) is a high-potency FGA primarily used for schizophrenia. It is an older, oral-only option with no LAI formulation (label/clinical). Compared with low-potency phenothiazines (e.g., chlorpromazine), thiothixene is generally less anticholinergic and less sedating, but movement-disorder risk (parkinsonism, dystonia, akathisia, tardive dyskinesia) is often more prominent and can be the limiting factor (label/clinical).
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- Thiothixene is frequently discussed as a cost-sensitive alternative in clinically stable patients who tolerate FGAs and prefer a lower metabolic burden than many SGAs (AHRQ/clinical).
- As with all antipsychotics, thiothixene carries the class boxed warning for increased mortality in elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis (label).
- The compare view, thiothixene evidence feed, and thiothixene print page help compare EPS and sedation trade-offs across FGAs and SGAs.
Dosing & Formulations
Oral capsules are available in 1 mg, 2 mg, 5 mg, and 10 mg strengths (label/manufacturer-dependent). The label recommends individualizing dose based on chronicity and severity, starting low and titrating gradually to the optimal effective level.
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- Label examples: for milder presentations, an initial dose of 2 mg three times daily; for more severe presentations, 5 mg twice daily (label).
- The label describes an “usual optimal” total daily dose of 20–30 mg, with increases up to 60 mg/day sometimes used; doses above 60 mg/day rarely increase benefit (label).
- The label notes some patients may be controlled on once-daily dosing after stabilization; dosing cadence is individualized to response and tolerability (label).
Monitoring & Risks
Movement-disorder monitoring is central: akathisia, rigidity, tremor, dystonia, and tardive dyskinesia are clinically meaningful risks with high-potency FGAs (label/clinical). Hyperprolactinemia can occur (amenorrhea, galactorrhea, sexual dysfunction); symptom review is often the most practical screen (clinical).
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- Sedation can still occur, and orthostatic symptoms can limit function, especially early in titration (label/clinical).
- Rare but serious antipsychotic-class risks include neuroleptic malignant syndrome and severe hypotension; urgent evaluation is typical if suspected (label).
Drug Interactions
Additive CNS depression can occur with alcohol, opioids, benzodiazepines, and other sedatives (clinical). Combining multiple antipsychotics can increase adverse effects without clear added benefit; when polypharmacy exists, teams often document the rationale and monitoring plan (clinical).
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- QT-prolonging combinations and electrolyte abnormalities can increase arrhythmia risk; ECG monitoring is commonly considered when risk factors accumulate (clinical).
Practice Notes
For schizophrenia, thiothixene is generally framed as an older maintenance option: it may be reasonable when prior response is favorable and movement-disorder risk is actively monitored, but it does not address adherence challenges that would otherwise prompt LAI consideration (APA/clinical). When movement symptoms emerge (restlessness, stiffness, tremor), early recognition and dose strategy often prevent unnecessary discontinuation and improve tolerability (clinical).
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- If symptom control is stable, some teams trial gradual dose reduction over time to reduce cumulative movement-disorder risk while maintaining stability (clinical).
References
- Thiothixene capsules prescribing information — DailyMed (2025)
- First Generation Versus Second Generation Antipsychotics IN Adults: Comparative Effectiveness — Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (NCBI Bookshelf) (2012)
- The American Psychiatric Association Practice Guideline for the Treatment of Patients With Schizophrenia — American Psychiatric Association (2020)
- AGNP Consensus Guidelines for Therapeutic Drug Monitoring in Neuropsychopharmacology — Pharmacopsychiatry (2018)