What is Chlorpromazine?
Chlorpromazine is a phenothiazine which is used for treating psychotic disorders like schizophrenia or manic- depression in adults. Chlorpromazine medication is also used in adults for treating nausea, vomiting, anxiety, chronic hiccups, acute intermittent porphyria and symptoms of tetanus. Chlorpromazine is used for treating serious behavioural problems like combative or explosive behaviour and hyperactivity with excessive motor activity.
Chlorpromazine Uses
Chlorpromazine is used for treating certain mental disorders like schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, manic phase of bipolar disorder, severe behavioural problems in children. The medication also helps in thinking more clearly and feels less nervous. It helps in reducing aggressive behaviour. Chlorpromazine helps in decreasing the hallucinations. Chlorpromazine belongs to the class of drugs called phenothiazine antipsychotics. It is used for treating the symptoms of schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders.
Chlorpromazine Side effects
Some of the common side effects of Chlorpromazine are:
- Dizziness
- Restlessness
- Agitation
- Nervousness
- Unusual or uncontrollable movements
- Difficulty in falling asleep
- Increased appetite
- Weight gain
- Missed menstrual periods
- Decreased sexual ability
- Change in skin colour
- Dry mouth
- Stuffy nose
- Difficulty in Urinating
Some of the serious adverse effects of Chlorpromazine are:
- Fever
- Muscle stiffness
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Sweating
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes
- Sore throat, chills
- Throat infection
- Seizures
- Hives
- Itching
- Swelling of eyes
If you have any of these serious symptoms immediately contact your doctor for further assistance. In any case, due to Chlorpromazine if you get any kind of reactions in your body try avoiding it.
A doctor advised you to take the medicines by seeing your problems and the benefits of this medicine are greater than the side effects. Majority of the people who use this medicine don’t show any side effects. Get medical help immediately if you get any serious Chlorpromazine side effects.
Precautions
Before taking Chlorpromazine talk to your doctor if you’re allergic to it or any other medications. The medication may contain some inactive ingredients which can cause some serious allergic reaction or can lead to some other problems.
Before using Chlorpromazine talk to the doctor if you are having any of the medical histories such as:
- Liver problems
- Kidney problems
- Heart problems
- Glaucoma
- Low blood pressure
- Breathing problems
- Adrenal gland problem
- Seizures
Chlorpromazine can cause some specific conditions which can affect the heart rhythm i.e. QT prolongation. QT prolongation may cause some serious irregular heartbeat and some other symptoms like dizziness and fainting which need proper medical attention.
How to take Chlorpromazine?
Chlorpromazine comes in the form of a tablet. Chlorpromazine tablets are usually taken 2 to 4 times a day. The dosage of Chlorpromazine for controlling nausea and vomiting is 3-4 times in a gap of 4-6 hours. When the dosage is taken for relieving the nervousness before the surgery then it should be taken before 2-3 hours of surgery. For relieving the hiccups the dosage should be taken 3-4 times a day at least up to 3 days.
Your doctor may start with a low dose of chlorpromazine and gradually increase your dose. Your doctor may decrease your dose once your condition is under control. Be sure to tell your doctor how you feel during your treatment with chlorpromazine. If you are taking chlorpromazine to treat schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder, chlorpromazine may control your symptoms, but it will not cure your condition. Keep taking chlorpromazine even if you feel fine. Your doctor may start with a low dose of chlorpromazine and gradually increase your dose. Your doctor may decrease your dose once your condition is under control. Be sure to tell your doctor how you feel during your treatment with chlorpromazine. If you are taking chlorpromazine to treat schizophrenia or another psychotic disorder, chlorpromazine may control your symptoms, but it will not cure your condition. Keep taking chlorpromazine even if you feel fine.
Dosage
Chlorpromazine Injectable solution (25 mg/mL)
Missed Dose
Missing one or two-dose of Chlorpromazine won’t show any effect on your body. The skipped dose causes no problem. But with some medication, it won’t work if you don’t take the dosage on time. If you miss a dose some sudden chemical change may affect your body. In some cases, your doctor would advise you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.
Overdose
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed Chlorpromazine tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.
Interactions
Drug interactions may change the way Chlorpromazine medicines work or increase the risk of serious adverse effects. before using chlorpromazine, tell your doctor or pharmacist about all the medicines you are using. Tell to the doctor if you are taking other products which can cause drowsiness or which can slow breathing, including alcohol, antihistamines medications for sleep or anxiety, muscle relaxants, and narcotic pain relievers. Check the labels of all the Chlorpromazine medications as it may contain ingredients that cause drowsiness. Ask the doctor about the safe use of these products. Also report the use of medications that can increase the risk of seizures when combined with chlorpromazine, such as isoniazid, theophylline, tramadol, or tricyclic antidepressants among others. Chlorpromazine Tablets may interfere with certain laboratory tests possibly causing false results.
Chlorpromazine Pregnancy
Doctors recommend avoiding Chlorpromazine as it can affect the unborn baby. Before taking Chlorpromazine during pregnancy consult with your doctor.
Chlorpromazine Breastfeeding
Chlorpromazine can pass into the breastmilk and can affect the baby. Before taking Chlorpromazine tablets talk to the doctor if you’re breastfeeding.
Storage
Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. The exposure of medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach.
Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Before taking Chlorpromazine consult your Doctor. In case if you face any problems or get any side effects after taking Chlorpromazine rush immediately to your nearby hospital or consult your doctor for better treatment. Carry your medications always in your bag while travelling to avoid any immediate emergencies. Follow your prescription and follow your Doctor advice whenever you take Chlorpromazine.
Chlorpromazine vs. Haloperidol
| Chlorpromazine | Haloperidol |
|---|---|
| Chlorpromazine is a phenothiazine which is used for treating psychotic disorders like schizophrenia or manic- depression in adults. Chlorpromazine medication is also used in adults for treating nausea, vomiting, anxiety, chronic hiccups, acute intermittent porphyria and symptoms of tetanus. | Haloperidol is used for treating various mental disorders. The medicine helps in thinking clearly and getting rid of nervousness. The medication helps in reducing aggression. |
| Chlorpromazine is used for treating certain mental disorders like schizophrenia, psychotic disorders, manic phase of bipolar disorder, severe behavioural problems in children. The medication also helps in thinking more clearly and feels less nervous. It helps in reducing aggressive behaviour. Chlorpromazine helps in decreasing the hallucinations. | Haloperidol medication is used for the treatment of uncontrolled movements and outbursts words and sounds related to Tourette’s syndrome. The medication is also useful for serious behaviour problems in hyperactive children. |
Some of the serious adverse effects of Chlorpromazine are:
|
Some of the serious side effects of Haloperidol are:
|
