Secuado (transdermal)

Secuado (transdermal) is an antipsychotic medicine that treats schizophrenia in adults.

Secuado may also be used for reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

You should not use Secuado if you are allergic to it, or if you have severe liver disease.

Secuado is not approved for use in older adults with dementia-related psychosis.

You should not use Secuado if you are allergic to it, or if you have:

• severe liver disease.

Secuado may increase the risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis and is not approved for this use.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• heart problems;
• high blood pressure;
• a heart attack or stroke;
• diabetes (Secuado may raise your blood sugar);
• a seizure;
• liver disease;
• breast cancer;
• trouble swallowing;
• Parkinson's disease;
• low white blood cell (WBC) counts; or
• long QT syndrome (in you or a family member).

Using antipsychotic medicine in the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause breathing problems, feeding problems, or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. If you get pregnant, tell your doctor right away. Do not stop using Secuado without your doctor's advice.

It may not be safe to breastfeed while using Secuado. Ask your doctor about any risk.

Secuado is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you notice signs of an allergic reaction: hives; fast heartbeats, feeling light-headed; wheezing, difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Using high doses or using asenapine for a long time can lead to a serious movement disorder that might not go away. The longer you use Secuado, the more likely you are to develop this disorder, especially if you are a woman or an older adult.

Secuado may cause serious side effects. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience:

• uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement);
• feeling light-headed, as if you might faint;
• breast pain or swelling, nipple discharge;
• low white blood cell counts--fever, chills, mouth sores, skin sores, sore throat, cough, trouble breathing; or
• severe nervous system reaction--very stiff muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling faint.

Common side effects of Secuado may include:

• muscle stiffness, jerky muscle movements;
• weight gain; or
• skin pain, redness, itching, swelling, or other irritation where the patch was placed.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Contact your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You can report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Do not take by mouth. Transdermal medicine is for use only on the skin.

Read and carefully follow any Instructions for Use provided with your medicine. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you do not understand these instructions.

Apply the patch to clean, dry, and hairless skin on your stomach, hip, or the outer part of your upper arm. Press the patch firmly into place. You may leave the patch on while showering.

Remove the skin patch after 24 hours and replace it with a new one.

If a patch falls off, put on a new patch and leave it on only for the rest of your wearing time. Do not change your patch removal schedule.

Choose a different place on your body to wear the patch each time you put on a new one.

Do not wear more than one Secuado patch at a time. Never cut a skin patch.

Secuado may cause you to have high blood sugar (hyperglycemia). Symptoms include increased thirst, increased urination, hunger, dry mouth, fruity breath odor, drowsiness, dry skin, and blurred vision. If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels on a regular basis while you are using this medicine.

Your doctor will need to check your progress while you are using Secuado.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Apply a patch as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is close to the time for your next dose. Do not apply two patches at the same time.

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

• Avoid sources of heat while wearing the patch. Do not use a heating pad or electric blanket, hair dryer, or heated waterbed. Heat can increase the amount of drug you absorb through your skin and may cause an overdose or death.

• Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids, especially in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously overheated and dehydrated while you are using Secuado.

• Avoid driving or hazardous activity until you know how Secuado will affect you. Your reactions could be impaired. Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Using Secuado with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow your breathing can lead to serious side effects or death. Talk to your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Other drugs may interact with Secuado, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Inform your doctor about all your current medicines and any medicine you begin or stop using.