Chlorpromazine

Chlorpromazinel Hcl

Brand Name: Thorazine, Largactil

Uses of Chlorpromazine:

Chlorpromazine ( Thorazine ) is an anti psychotic drug of low-potency. Used in the treatment of disorganized and psychotic thinking. Also used to help treat false perceptions (e.g. hallucinations or delusions.) Chlorpromazine ( Thorazine ) is also sometimes to treat psychotic children. It may be used to treat sever hiccups or protracted nausea. Other uses include treatment of Tourette's disorder, hiccups, mania, behavioral problems in children, behavior problems of dementia in the elderly, and treatment of disabling involuntary movements in Huntington's chorea.

Chlorpromazine changes a variety of chemicals in the brain.

Thorazine (Chlorpromazine) and sites on ThorazineThorazine.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

How to Take Chlorpromazine hydrochloride:

Do not exceed the recommended dosage or take this medicine (Thorazine) for longer than prescribed. Exceeding the recommended dose or taking this medicine for longer than prescribed may be habit forming. Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Store this medicine at room temperature, in a tighly-closed container, away from heat and light. If you miss a dose of this medicine and you are using it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If you are taking 1 dose at bedtime and do not remember until the next morning, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule.

Side Effects of Chlorpromazine:

Although side effects from chlorpromazine are not common, they can occur. Tell your doctor if either of these symptoms is severe or does not go away:

• dry mouth
• drowsiness

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• skin discoloration (yellowish-brown to greyish-purple)
• jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms
• pacing
• fine worm-like tongue movements
• rhythmic face, mouth, or jaw movements
• slow or difficult speech
• difficulty swallowing
• shuffling walk
• skin rash

Warnings and precautions for Chlorpromazine

Before taking chlorpromazine,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to chlorpromazine, any other tranquilizer, or any other drugs, or have had a bad reaction to insulin.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially antihistamines; lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); medications for depression, Parkinson's disease, seizures, hay fever, allergies, or colds; muscle relaxants; narcotics (pain medication); sedatives; sleeping pills; and vitamins.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had heart, liver, lung, or kidney disease; shock therapy; glaucoma; an enlarged prostate; difficulty urinating; asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis; or seizures.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking chlorpromazine, call your doctor.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking chlorpromazine.
• you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
• remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
• plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Chlorpromazine may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

What to do if you take Overdose of Chlorpromazine?

Seek medical attention immediately. For non emergencies, contact your local or regional poison control center.

What to do if you take Missed Dose of Chlorpromazine?

Take your next dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.

How to Store Chlorpromazine:

Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children. Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medication that is outdated or no longer needed. Talk to your pharmacist about the proper disposal of your medication.

Studies on Chlorpromazine

The first central pharmacodynamic action of chlorpromazine to be described was sedation without narcosis. The antipsychotic action and extrapyramidal symptoms were observed later. Sedation can be separated into nonspecific sedation (drowsiness, somnolence) and specific sedation (psychomotor inhibition and psychic indifference). Both types are parts of the clinical profiles of classical neuroleptics. The sedative properties of neuroleptics may contribute to the overall efficacy in the treatment of psychotic patients, depending on the clinical situation. In most patients, however, sedation is only needed for a short period, or not at all. The drug induced sedation may adversely affect the patients' well-being and functional capabilities. The term neuroleptic-induced deficit syndrome (NIDS) has been coined to focus attention on the adverse mental effects of neuroleptics.

Chlorpromazine

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