chlorpromazine Health Article

Generic name(s):

chlorpromazine

Brand name(s):

Thorazine

What is the most important information I should know about chlorpromazine?

Call your doctor immediately if you have uncontrollable movements of the mouth, tongue, cheeks, jaw, arms, or legs. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Chlorpromazine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Dizziness may be more likely to occur when you rise from a sitting or lying position. Rise slowly to prevent dizziness and a possible fall.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking chlorpromazine. Do not crush or chew the sustained-release formulations of chlorpromazine. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release slowly in your body. If you do not know if your medication is a sustained-release formulation, ask your pharmacist.

What is chlorpromazine?

Chlorpromazine is in a class of drugs called phenothiazines. It works by changing the actions of chemicals in your brain.

Chlorpromazine is used to treat psychotic disorders, nausea and vomiting, chronic hiccups, and acute intermittent porphyria.

Chlorpromazine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take chlorpromazine?

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

• a bone marrow disease,

• glaucoma,

• seizures,

• Parkinson's disease,

• an enlarged prostate or difficulty urinating,

• liver disease, or
• kidney disease.

You may not be able to take chlorpromazine, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring if you have any of the conditions listed above.

It is not known whether chlorpromazine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take chlorpromazine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. Chlorpromazine passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing baby. Do not take chlorpromazine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from chlorpromazine. You may require a lower dose of this medication.

How should I take chlorpromazine?

Take chlorpromazine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these instructions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

Chlorpromazine can be taken with or without food or milk.

Do not crush or chew the sustained-release formulations of chlorpromazine. Swallow them whole. They are specially formulated to release slowly in your body. If you do not know if your medication is a sustained-release formulation, ask your pharmacist.

Mix the concentrate with 2 to 4 ounces of water, soda, juice, coffee, tea, syrup, milk, or a semisolid food such as applesauce or pudding.

Do not stop taking chlorpromazine without the approval of your doctor. It may be several weeks before you begin to feel better, and you may require continuous treatment for quite some time. Talk to your doctor before you stop taking this medication.

Throw away any discolored liquid.

Store chlorpromazine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.