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Blessy Thomson

Chlorpromazine

Updated: May 28, 2023


(image source: drugs.com)


Chlorpromazine, 10mg

(Orange/ Circle/ Imprint: 'GG 455,' '10')







Overview:

Chlorpromazine is a medication that is part of the class of drugs known as phenothiazines (either antiemetics or antipsychotics. It is mainly used in treating psychotic disorders in adults. And also for kids ages 1 to 12 to treat behavioural problems, including aggression and hyperactivity. Chlorpromazine enables the restoration of dopamine and serotonin balance in the brain, and thus it prevents neuro developmental disorders.


Medical Use:

Antipsychotics (Neuroleptic Medication Category) are used to treat mental or mood disorders like schizophrenia and bipolar disorder by affecting the activities of certain natural substances in the brain and other parts of the body. In its antiemetic use, it helps the patient go through chemotherapy and undergo radiation therapy by controlling nausea and vomiting.


Side-effects:

Dangerous symptoms- muscle stiffness, yellowing of the skin or eyes, flu-like symptoms, swelling of the body, seeing everything with a brown tint, difficulty breathing or swallowing, tongue that sticks out of the mouth, stiffness in your neck.


Symptoms of Overdose- sleepiness, loss of consciousness, dry mouth, irregular heartbeat, seizures, restlessness, fever, agitation, jerky muscle movements.


Drug interactions:

Interaction with Medicine: 703 drugs (99 are major, 590 are moderate, and 14 are minor)

Most frequent- Abilify, Benadryl, Depakote, Lamictal, Lexapro and many more.

Interaction with Alcohol/Food: 1 alcohol/food interaction

  • Ethanol

Interaction with Disease: 16 types of disease

  • Dementia, acute alcohol intoxication, cardiovascular disease, CNS depression, head injury, anticholinergic effects, breast cancer, dystonic reactions, hematologic toxicity, liver disease, Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, parkinsonism, renal dysfunction, respiratory disorders, seizure disorders, tardive dyskinesia

Dosing:

Usual dose for Adults(Outpatient):

  • Schizophrenia: Tablets, 10 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day

Maintained at 200 mg/day (dose)

**The maximum dose per oral is 800 mg/day. If given by intramuscular or intravenous route.

Usual dose for children(Outpatient):

  • Aggressive Behavior: Oral, 0.55 mg/kg orally every 4 to 6 hours as needed

Parenteral, 0.55 mg/kg IM every 6 to 8 hours as needed


Notes:

Chlorpromazine is an essential medication for treating certain conditions, but it should only be taken under the guidance of a healthcare professional. Patients should not stop taking it without consulting their healthcare provider, as it may cause withdrawal symptoms or worsen their condition.

 

Citation:

Cerner Multum. “Chlorpromazine Uses, Side Effects & Warnings” Drugs.com on Jan 26, 2023, https://www.drugs.com/mtm/chlorpromazine.html


Sukhmanjeet Kaur Mann; Raman Marwaha. “Chlorpromazine - StatPearls - NCBI Bookshelf “ National Institutes of Health on December 23, 2022, https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov › books › NBK553079


AHFS® Patient Medication Information™. “Chlorpromazine: MedlinePlus Drug Information” MedlinePlus on July 15, 2017, https://medlineplus.gov/druginfo/meds/a682040.html


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