Skip to content
ClinCalc Pro
Menu
Calculators Drugs Pathways AI Dx Donate Get the App
Typical depot antipsychotic

Flupentixol decanoate

Brand names: Depixol, Modecate

Flupentixol decanoate is a long-acting depot formulation of the thioxanthene antipsychotic flupentixol, given by deep intramuscular injection for maintenance treatment of schizophrenia and related psychoses.

Dosing — being independently re-sourced

ClinCalc Pro is rebuilding its dose data from primary open sources — the manufacturer SmPC (eMC), the WHO Model Formulary and other official references — under clinician review. This drug's structured dose is not yet published here. Confirm all doses against the product SmPC and your local formulary before prescribing.

Clinical monograph

How it works

After injection the decanoate ester is slowly hydrolysed to release flupentixol, which antagonises dopamine D2 receptors to provide sustained antipsychotic effect.

Prescribing in practice

  • A test dose is required before establishing maintenance therapy because the long action means adverse effects, including extrapyramidal reactions, are not readily reversible.
  • As with oral flupentixol, avoid in overactive or excited patients owing to a potential alerting effect.
  • Antipsychotics carry risks of QT prolongation and increased stroke and mortality in elderly patients with dementia.

Monitoring

Monitor for extrapyramidal symptoms, injection-site reactions and metabolic and cardiac effects throughout depot treatment.

Counselling the patient

  • This is a long-acting injection given at regular intervals by a health professional.
  • Report muscle stiffness, restlessness, tremor or high fever.
  • Keep follow-up appointments so treatment can be monitored and adjusted.

Evidence & guidelines

Long-acting antipsychotic injections are an established maintenance strategy for improving adherence in schizophrenia.

Reference: Maudsley Prescribing Guidelines; Drug verified in RxNorm (NLM); confirm dosing against the manufacturer SPC (eMC). Verify against your local formulary and current prescribing references before prescribing. Monograph status: clinician-reviewed (2026-07-04).

Related

Curated clinical cross-links plus same-class fallbacks.

Calculators
Drugs
Pathways