Thioridazine often causes exaggerated sedation, anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, tachycardia, etc.), and male sexual dysfunctions (impotence, retrograde ejaculation, etc.). In women oligomenorrhea and galactorrhea have been observed. Skin rashes and photosensitivity are not uncommon. Thioridazine is said to cause fewer extrapyramidal problems than other neuroleptic agents; under high doses, parkinsonism and tardive dyskinesias are frequent.

Bradycardias with prolonged QT interval which lead to ventricular tachyarrhythmias (torsades de pointes) are rare under therapeutic doses but they are life-threatening. Pigmentary retinopathy and neuroleptic malignant syndrome are rare.

Thioridazine: Interactions

Other centrally sedative agents and propranolol reinforce the effect of thioridazine. Inhibition of microsomal hepatic enzymes: cf. methotrimeprazine! Thioridazine impairs, amongst others, the effects of antihypertensive agents, levodopa, phenytoin, and it reinforces the anticholinergic effect of other drugs.

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