Chlorpromazine

Introduction To Chlorpromazine

Chlorpromazine is a medicine used to treat various disorders such as schizophrenia and other psychoses like paranoia (delusions and feeling extremely worried or nervous), mania (overactive behavior), anxiety, agitation, and dangerously impulsive behavior.

Chlorpromazine is also used for controlling intractable hiccups, feeling or being sick (nausea), and autism (learning and communication difficulties). This medicine belongs to a group of drugs known as phenothiazines, which act on the central nervous system. It alters the thoughts and elevates the mood, improving the person's ability to think, feel and behave.

Chlorpromazine is given as an injection under the supervision of a healthcare professional and should not be self-administered. Take it at the same time each day as this helps to maintain a consistent level of medicine in the body. Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor and if you have missed a dose, take it as soon as you remember it. Do not skip any doses and finish the full course of treatment even if you feel better. This medication mustn't be stopped suddenly without talking to your doctor as it may worsen your symptoms.

Some common side effects of this medicine include dry mouth, abnormality of voluntary movements, urinary retention, constipation, and muscle rigidity. Initially, this medicine may cause a sudden drop in blood pressure when you change positions, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. It may also cause dizziness and sleepiness, do not drive or do anything that requires mental focus until you know how this medicine affects you. This medicine can lead to weight gain, have a healthy balanced diet, and exercise regularly. You may also notice some injection site reactions such as pain, redness, or swelling. However, these are temporary and usually resolve on their own in some time. Please consult your doctor in case these do not subside or bother you.

Before taking this medicine, inform your doctor if you have any liver disease, thyroid or kidney disease, epilepsy, Parkinson's disease, or any heart disease. If you are diabetic, it is important to monitor your blood glucose regularly while taking this medicine.

Uses of Chlorpromazine

  • Treatment of Schizophrenia
  • Treatment of Mania
  • Treatment of Anxiety

Benefits of Chlorpromazine

Treatment of Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is a mental disorder in which a person’s thinking ability, feelings, and behavior become abnormal. Chlorpromazine helps restore the chemical imbalances in the brain that are responsible for such changes. It improves thoughts, behavior and enhances the quality of life.

Treatment of Mania
Mania means extremely excited or elevated mood. Chlorpromazine helps calm the mood and relax the nerves. This stabilizes the mood and prevents the symptoms of mania from recurring again. Taking Chlorpromazine will ensure that you have a better social life and can do daily activities more comfortably.

Treatment of Anxiety
Chlorpromazine reduces the symptoms of excessive anxiety and worry. It can also reduce feelings of restlessness, tiredness, difficulty concentrating, and feeling irritable. It will therefore help you go about your daily activities more easily and be more productive. Keep taking this medicine even if you feel well. Stopping it suddenly can cause serious problems. So, do not stop taking it without discussing it with your doctor.

Side effects of Chlorpromazine

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of Relitil

  • Sleepiness
  • Orthostatic hypotension (sudden lowering of blood pressure on standing)
  • Dryness in mouth
  • Abnormality of voluntary movements
  • Weight gain
  • Increased prolactin level in blood
  • Urinary retention
  • Constipation
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Injection site reactions (pain, swelling, redness)

How to use Chlorpromazine

Your doctor or nurse will give you this medicine. Kindly do not self administer.

How Chlorpromazine works

Chlorpromazine is a typical antipsychotic. It works by blocking the action of dopamine, a chemical messenger in the brain that affects thoughts and mood.

Quick tips

  • Chlorpromazine is given as a deep injection into muscles by the doctor.
  • Do not drive or do anything requiring concentration until you know how Chlorpromazine affects you.
  • To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down.
  • Do not drink alcohol while taking Chlorpromazine as it can cause serious breathing problems.
  • Inform your doctor if you notice involuntary muscle movements.
  • Do not stop taking the medication suddenly without talking to your doctor.

Safety Advice

sdsPregnancyCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Can I take Chlorpromazine if I’m pregnant?

Chlorpromazine may be unsafe to use during pregnancy. Although there are limited studies in humans, animal studies have shown harmful effects on the developing baby. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.

sdsBreastfeedingCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Can I take Chlorpromazine if I’m breastfeeding?

Chlorpromazine is probably unsafe to use during breastfeeding. Limited human data suggests that the drug may pass into the breastmilk and harm the baby. If the Chlorpromazine is given, monitor the baby for excessive sleepiness during breastfeeding.

sdsAlcoholUNSAFE

Is drinking alcohol while taking Chlorpromazine safe?

It is unsafe to consume alcohol with Chlorpromazine.

sdsDrivingUNSAFE

Can I drive after taking Chlorpromazine?

Chlorpromazine may decrease alertness, affect your vision or make you feel sleepy and dizzy. Do not drive if these symptoms occur.

sdsKidneySAFE IF PRESCRIBED

Can I take Chlorpromazine if I have/had kidney diseases?

Chlorpromazine is safe to use in patients with kidney disease. No dose adjustment of Chlorpromazine is recommended. However, inform your doctor if you have any underlying kidney disease. A close monitoring is advisable while you are taking this medicine.

sdsLiverCONSULT YOUR DOCTOR

Can I take Chlorpromazine if I have/had liver diseases?

There is limited information available on the use of Chlorpromazine in patients with liver disease. Please consult your doctor.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Is Chlorpromazine a benzodiazepine/sleeping tablet?

Chlorpromazine is not a benzodiazepine. It belongs to a class of medicines called phenothiazine antipsychotics. Chlorpromazine should not be used as a sleeping tablet

Q. Is it good for anxiety?

It is used in patients with schizophrenia but it relieves anxiety too at certain levels

Q. Is Chlorpromazine a controlled substance/narcotic?

No. Chlorpromazine is not a controlled substance/ narcotic. However, it can be purchased only after producing a doctor's prescription

Q. Does Chlorpromazine cause weight gain/sleepiness/euphoric (high)?

Yes, Chlorpromazine may cause weight gain and sleepiness

Q. Is it addictive?

Chlorpromazine does not have high addictive potential and a very little propensity for abuse for euphoria

Q. Does chlorpromazine decrease dopamine?

Chlorpromazine is dopamine receptor blocker so it decreases dopamine levels to calm the patients with schizophrenia

Q. Does Chlorpromazine help with opiate withdrawal?

It has been observed that Chlorpromazine helps in certain cases of opiate withdrawal. However, it is not widely used for this purpose. Please follow your doctor's advice regarding its use.

References

Written By:

Dr Advikka Ridhy

Dr Advikka Ridhy

MBBS

RMO, Aster MIMS

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