Serenase
Serenase is an antipsychotic medication used to treat mental health and behavioral disorders in adults, as well as movement problems from Huntington's disease and nausea after surgery.
How to Use
Dosage
The usual starting dose for adults is 1-5 mg; elderly patients typically start with half of the lowest adult dose.
Method
Serenase is given as an injection into a muscle by a doctor or nurse.
The maximum daily dose for adults is 20 mg. For elderly patients, the maximum daily dose is usually 5 mg, unless a higher dose is deemed necessary by a doctor.
Possible Side Effects
- •Agitation
- •Insomnia
- •Headache
- •Serious mental health problems, such as believing things that are not true (delusions) or seeing, feeling, hearing, or smelling things that are not there (hallucinations)
- •Depression
- •Abnormal muscle tension
- •Dizziness, drowsiness
- •Blurred vision, low blood pressure
- •Nausea, vomiting, constipation, dry mouth or increased salivation
- •Rash
- •Difficulty urinating or inability to empty the bladder completely
- •Difficulty getting or keeping an erection (impotence)
- •Weight gain or loss
- •Problems with blood cells, including low counts of all blood cell types (red, white, and platelets)
- •Confusion, decreased sex drive
- •Seizures (convulsions)
- •Muscle and joint stiffness, uncontrolled muscle spasms, twitches, or contractions, including neck spasms that cause the head to turn to one side
- •Difficulty walking, shortness of breath
- •Liver inflammation or liver problems, causing yellowing of the skin or eyes (jaundice)
- •Increased skin sensitivity to sunlight, itching, heavy sweating
- •Changes in menstrual cycle (missed, prolonged, heavy, painful periods), unexpected breast milk production, breast pain or discomfort, fever, swelling due to fluid retention
- •High levels of prolactin hormone in the blood
- •Narrowing of airways in the lungs, causing breathing difficulties
- •Difficulty or inability to open the mouth
- •Sexual dysfunction
- •Low blood sugar
- •Swelling around the voice box or temporary vocal cord spasms, potentially causing speech or breathing difficulties
- •Acute liver failure
- •Breakdown of muscle tissue (rhabdomyolysis)
- •Persistent and painful erection
Important Warnings
- This medicine can cause a severe condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome, with symptoms like high fever, severe muscle stiffness, confusion, and unconsciousness. Seek immediate medical attention.
- Serenase can cause heart problems, including abnormal heart rhythm, fast heart rate, and extra heartbeats, which may lead to fainting or sudden death. If you experience any heart issues, seek medical help immediately.
- You may experience uncontrolled movements of your body or limbs, such as movements of the mouth, tongue, jaw, or restlessness, muscle stiffness, or tremors. Tell your doctor if this happens, as you might need extra medication.
- Severe allergic reactions, including swelling of the face, lips, mouth, tongue, or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing, and itchy rash, require immediate medical attention.
- Blood clots, especially in the legs, have been reported. Symptoms include swelling, pain, and redness in the leg. If a clot travels to the lungs, it can cause chest pain and breathing difficulties. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice these symptoms.
Use in Elderly Patients
Avoid use in older adults. Anticholinergic. Sedative. Increases the risk of cardiovascular events, QT prolongation and orthostatic hypotension. Increases risk of falls, extrapyramidal symptoms and cognitive impairment. Reduces the effectiveness of drugs for Alzheimer’s disease. (updated 10.11.2025)