Molindone (Moban) – A Review of Its Uses, Benefits and Side Effects

Molindone, sold under the brand name Moban, is an antipsychotic medication that is used to treat schizophrenia. It works by blocking the effects of dopamine in the brain, leading to diminished symptoms of psychosis. It is rapidly absorbed when taken orally and has a short half-life of about 1.5 hours. It is sometimes described as a typical antipsychotic, and sometimes as an atypical antipsychotic.

Uses of Molindone

Molindone is approved by the FDA for the treatment of schizophrenia, a mental disorder that causes distorted thinking, hallucinations, delusions, paranoia, and impaired social functioning. Schizophrenia affects about 1% of the population worldwide and can have a severe impact on the quality of life of patients and their families.

Molindone can help reduce the positive symptoms of schizophrenia, such as hallucinations and delusions, as well as the negative symptoms, such as apathy, social withdrawal, and lack of motivation. It can also improve cognitive functions, such as attention, memory, and problem-solving.

Benefits of Molindone

Molindone has several advantages over other antipsychotic medications, such as:

• It has a low risk of causing weight gain, diabetes, or metabolic syndrome, which are common side effects of many other antipsychotics.
• It has a low risk of causing extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), such as tremors, stiffness, restlessness, and involuntary movements, which are common side effects of many typical antipsychotics.
• It has a low risk of causing sedation, drowsiness, or impairment of alertness, which are common side effects of many atypical antipsychotics.
• It has a low risk of causing cardiac arrhythmias or sudden death, which are rare but serious side effects of some antipsychotics.
• It has a low risk of causing sexual dysfunction or hormonal imbalance, which are common side effects of some antipsychotics.

Side Effects of Molindone

Molindone is generally well tolerated by most patients, but it can still cause some side effects, such as:

• Dry mouth
• Nausea
• Constipation
• Blurred vision
• Headache
• Dizziness
• Anxiety
• Depression
• Breast swelling or discharge
• Changes in menstrual cycle

Some rare but serious side effects of molindone include:

• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a life-threatening condition that causes high fever, muscle rigidity, altered mental status, and autonomic instability.
• Tardive dyskinesia (TD), a condition that causes involuntary and repetitive movements of the face, tongue, jaw, or limbs.
• Agranulocytosis, a condition that causes a severe drop in white blood cells that fight infections.
• Liver damage or jaundice.
• Allergic reactions or skin rashes.

If you experience any of these side effects while taking molindone, contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical attention.

Dosage and Administration of Molindone

The dosage and administration of molindone depend on the severity of your symptoms, your response to the medication, and your medical history. Your doctor will determine the best dose for you based on these factors. The usual dose range is 5 mg to 15 mg three to four times per day. The maximum dose is 225 mg per day.

Molindone comes in tablet form and should be taken by mouth with or without food. You should swallow the tablet whole and not crush or chew it. You should take molindone at the same time each day to maintain a steady level in your blood. You should not stop taking molindone abruptly or without consulting your doctor, as this may cause withdrawal symptoms or a relapse of your condition.

Precautions and Warnings of Molindone

Before taking molindone, you should inform your doctor if you have or had any of the following conditions:

• Allergy to molindone or any of its ingredients
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding
• Liver or kidney disease
• Heart disease or arrhythmia
• Blood disorders or low white blood cell count
• Seizures or epilepsy
• Diabetes or high blood sugar
• Glaucoma or high eye pressure
• Prostate enlargement or difficulty urinating
• Thyroid problems
• Parkinson’s disease or other movement disorders
• Bipolar disorder or depression
• Alcohol or drug abuse or dependence

You should also inform your doctor about all the medications, supplements, and herbal products that you are taking or plan to take, as some of them may interact with molindone and affect its effectiveness or safety. Some of the medications that may interact with molindone include:

• Other antipsychotics, such as haloperidol, risperidone, quetiapine, olanzapine, etc.
• Antidepressants, such as fluoxetine, sertraline, citalopram, venlafaxine, etc.
• Mood stabilizers, such as lithium, valproate, carbamazepine, etc.
• Anxiolytics, such as diazepam, lorazepam, alprazolam, etc.
• Sedatives, hypnotics, or narcotics, such as zolpidem, zopiclone, codeine, morphine, etc.
• Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine, cetirizine, loratadine, etc.
• Anticholinergics, such as atropine, scopolamine, ipratropium, etc.
• Anticonvulsants, such as phenytoin, phenobarbital, gabapentin, etc.
• Anticoagulants or antiplatelets, such as warfarin, aspirin, clopidogrel, etc.
• Antidiabetics or insulin
• Antifungals, such as ketoconazole, fluconazole, itraconazole, etc.
• Antibiotics, such as erythromycin, clarithromycin, azithromycin, etc.
• HIV medications, such as ritonavir, saquinavir, indinavir, etc.
• Grapefruit juice

You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking molindone as it may increase the risk of side effects or impair your mental and physical abilities. You should also avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how molindone affects you. You should avoid exposure to extreme heat or cold while taking molindone as it may affect your body’s ability to regulate temperature. You should also avoid smoking while taking molindone as it may decrease its effectiveness.

Molindone Price in Different Countries

The price of molindone may vary depending on the country of origin and the availability of the medication. The following table shows the average price of molindone in different countries based on online sources (as of September 2023). The prices are in US dollars and are for 100 tablets of 5 mg strength. The prices do not include shipping costs or taxes and may change over time.

Country	Price (USD)	Reference
USA	$25.00	GoodRx.com
Canada	$35.00	CanadaDrugsDirect.com
Australia	$40.00	PharmacyOnline.com.au
UK	$45.00	Pharmacy2U.co.uk