Chlorpromazine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What drug Chlorpromazine?

What is Chlorpromazine for?

Chlorpromazine is a drug used to treat certain mental or mood problems, such as:

• schizophrenia
• psychotic disorders
• the manic phase of bipolar disorder
• severe behavioral problems in children, such as ADHD

Chlorpromazine is a drug that can help you think more clearly, be less nervous, and have normal activities in your daily life.

The effects of chlorpromazine can reduce aggressive behavior and the desire to harm yourself or others. Chlorpromazine can also help to reduce hallucinations (hearing or seeing things that are not there).

Chlorpromazine is a psychiatric drug that belongs to a class of drugs called phenothiazine antipsychotics. Chlorpromazine works by helping to restore the balance of certain natural substances in the brain.

Chlorpromazine is also used to control symptoms such as:

• nausea
• gag
• relieves prolonged hiccups
• relieves anxiety
• anxiety before surgery
• treat the symptoms of tetanus.

How to use Chlorpromazine?

Chlorpromazine is a drug that can be taken with or without food, usually 2-4 times a day or as directed by your doctor.

Chlorpromazine dosage is based on your medical condition, age, and response to treatment. In children, the chlorpromazine dosage is based on body weight.

To reduce your risk of side effects, your doctor may direct you to start the medication chlorpromazine at a low dose and gradually increase your dose. Follow the doctor's instructions carefully.

Use the chlorpromazine medication regularly for the most benefit. To help you remember, use chlorpromazine at the same times each day.

Although you may experience some of the effects of chlorpromazine immediately after use, for some conditions it may take several weeks before you get the full benefit of chlorpromazine medication.

Do not stop taking chlorpromazine without consulting your doctor. Some conditions may get worse when chlorpromazine is suddenly stopped.

In addition, you may experience symptoms such as stomach pain, nausea, vomiting, dizziness, and trembling. To prevent these symptoms while you are stopping treatment with chlorpromazine, your doctor may reduce the dose gradually.

Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Report any new symptoms or worsening of symptoms.

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store Chlorpromazine?

Chlorpromazine is a drug that is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it.

Other brands of chlorpromazine may have different storage rules. Pay attention to the storage instructions on the chlorpromazine package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard the chlorpromazine product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed.

Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Chlorpromazine dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of chlorpromazine for adults?

The following is the recommended chlorpromazine dosage for adults:

1. Adult dosage for psychosis:

• IM (intra muscular) or injected into the muscle with a starting dose of 25 to 50 mg. The dose can be repeated within one hour. The dose can then be increased and given every 2 to 4 hours as needed.
• For oral, use a starting dose of about 10 to 25 mg orally 3 times a day. The total daily dose should be increased at 20 to 50 mg every 3 or 4 day increments until symptoms are controlled.

The usual maintenance dose can be used 200 mg / day orally. Some patients require higher doses (for example, 800 mg daily is not uncommon in psychiatric patients).

Increase dosage gradually until symptoms are controlled. The new maximum improvements will be seen after a few weeks or even months.

Continue the dose for 2 weeks, then gradually reduce the dose to the lowest effective level.

2.Adult dosage for mania (bipolar disorder):

• Oral use: use 10 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day or 25 mg orally 2 to 3 times a day. For more severe cases use 25 mg orally 3 times a day. After 1-2 days, the dose can be increased by 20 to 50 mg / day at half-weekly intervals.
• Prompt control of severe symptoms as much as 25 mg by injection once. If necessary, repeat within 1 hour. The next dose should be oral, 25 to 50 mg three times a day.
• Use a 25 mg injection once. If necessary, an additional 25 to 50 mg of injection can be given in 1 hour. Increase the dose thereafter gradually over several days to 400 mg every 4 to 6 hours in very severe cases.

Usually the patient becomes calm and cooperative within 24 to 48 hours and the oral dose can be changed.

For oral drugs as much as 500 mg / day is generally sufficient. Increase dose gradually to 2000 mg / day or more if needed.

3. Adult dosage for nausea and vomiting

• Oral: 10 to 25 mg every 4 to 6 hours as needed. Can increase, if necessary.
• IM injection: 25 mg one time. If hypotension does not occur, give 25 to 50 mg every 3 to 4 hours as needed, then switch to oral preparations.
• Rectally: One suppository 100 mg every 6 to 8 hours as needed. In some patients, half this dose will be given.

4. Nausea and vomiting during surgery

• IM injection injection: 12.5 mg once. Can be repeated after 30 minutes if necessary and if hypotension does not occur.
• IV (infusion): 2 mg at 2 minute intervals. Don't exceed 25 mg. Dilute to 1 mg / mL.

5. Adult dosage for light anesthesia

For light anesthesia before a medical or surgical procedure:

• Oral: 25 to 50 mg, 2 to 3 hours before surgery.
• IM injection: 12.5-25 mg, 1 to 2 hours before surgery.

6. Adult dosage for hiccups

• Oral: 25 to 50 mg 3-4 times a day.
• IM injection: If symptoms persist for 2 to 3 days, give 25 to 50 mg IM.
• IV infusion: If symptoms persist, use slow IV infusion: 25 to 50 mg in 500 to 1000 mL of saline.

What is the dosage of Chlorpromazine for children?

1. Usual Children's Dose for Opiate Withdrawal:

For ages less than 1 month with neonatal abstinence syndrome (addiction to maternal opioid use; controlling CNS and gastrointestinal symptoms) use the following dosage:

For intramuscular use or for muscle injection, use a starting dose of 0.55 mg / kg / dose given every 6 hours; change to oral after about 4 days, gradually tapering off over 2 to 3 weeks. Note: Chlorpromazine is rarely used for neonatal abstinence syndrome because of side effects such as hypothermia, cerebellar dysfunction, decreased seizure threshold, and eosinophilia; other preferred agent.

2.Usual Children's Dose for Schizophrenia:

• For children 6 months of age and older use the following dosages:

For oral use 0.5-1 mg / kg / oral dose every 4 to 6 hours; Older children may need 200 mg / day or higher

For injections (intramuscular or intravenous) use 0.5-1 mg / kg / dose every 6 to 8 hours

• Maximum recommended dosage:

less than 5 years (less than 22.7 kg): 40 mg / day

5 years and older: (22.7-45.5 kg): 75 mg / day

3.Usual children's dosage for nausea and vomiting:

• For nausea and vomiting:

Oral: 0.5-1 mg / kg / dose every 4-6 hours as needed

intramuscular or intravenous: 0.5-1 mg / kg / dose every 6 to 8 hours;

• Maximum recommended dosage:

For less than 5 years (less than 22.7 kg): 40 mg / day

5 years and older (22.7-45.5 kg): 75 mg / day

In what dosage is chlorpromazine available?

Chlorpromazine is a drug that is available in tablet and injection liquid formations.

Chlorpromazine side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to chlorpromazine?

Chlorpromazine is a drug that can cause side effects. Get emergency medical help if you have signs of a chlorpromazine allergic reaction: nausea, vomiting, sweating, hives, itching, difficulty breathing, swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat, or feel like you might pass out.

Stop using chlorpromazine and call your doctor if you have any of the following serious side effects:

• twitching or involuntary movements of the eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs;
• tremors (uncontrollable shaking), drooling, difficulty swallowing, problems with balance or walking;
• feeling restless
• feeling like you might pass out;
• seizures (blackout or convulsions);
• nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, fever, sore throat, flu symptoms;
• high fever, muscle stiffness, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeat, fast breathing;
• unusual thoughts or behavior;
• decreased night vision, tunnel vision , watery eyes, increased sensitivity to light;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• joint pain or swelling with fever, swollen glands, muscle pain, chest pain, vomiting, and even skin tone; or
• slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop).

Less serious chlorpromazine side effects may include:

• Dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety, sleep problems (insomnia);
• Swollen breasts or discharge
• Changes in menstrual periods;
• Weight gain swelling in the hands or feet;
• Dry mouth or stuffy nose, blurred vision;
• Constipation; or
• Impotence, difficulty having an orgasm.

Not everyone experiences the following side effects of chlorpromazine. There may be some effects of chlorpromazine which were not mentioned above.

If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Chlorpromazine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using chlorpromazine?

Chlorpromazine is a drug that is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Chlorpromazine can cause heart failure, sudden death, or pneumonia in older adults with dementia-related conditions.

Do not use Chlorpromazine if you have brain damage, bone marrow depression, or also use large amounts of alcohol or drugs that make you sleepy.

Do not use if you are allergic to Chlorpromazine or other phenothiazines such as fluphenazine (Permitil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine, Compro), promethazine (Adgan, Pentazine, Phenergan), thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluoperazine).

To make sure you can safely take chlorpromazine, tell your doctor if you have any of the other conditions:

• Liver disease or kidney disease;
• Heart disease or high blood pressure;
• Asthma, emphysema, or other severe breathing problems;
• Glaucoma;
• Have had or are experiencing breast cancer
• Low calcium level in your blood (hypocalcemia);
• adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma);
• enlarged prostate or problems urinating;
• history of seizures;
• Parkinson's disease; or
• if you have ever had serious side effects while using Chlorpromazine or any other phenothiazine

Tell your doctor if you will be exposed to extreme heat or cold, or if you will come in contact with a toxic insecticide while you are taking Chlorpromazine.

Talk to your doctor before giving chlorpromazine to a child who is already sick with cold or flu symptoms. Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from chlorpromazine.

Chlorpromazine Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Chlorpromazine?

Drug interactions can change the performance of the chlorpromazine drug or increase the risk of serious side effects.

Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Do not start, stop, or change the dose of chlorpromazine without your doctor's approval.

Although some drugs should not be taken at the same time, in other cases some drugs can also be used together even though interactions may occur.

In such cases, the doctor may change the dose of chlorpromazine, or take other necessary precautions. Tell your doctor if you are taking any other over-the-counter or prescription drugs.

Tell your doctor about all other medicines you use, especially:

• Atropine (Atreza, Sal-tropine)
• Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Antibiotics
• Birth control pills or estrogen hormone replacement
• Blood pressure medication
• Blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin, Jantoven)
• Certain asthma medications or bronchodilators
• Incontinence medication
• Insulin or diabetes medications taken by mouth
• Medicine for nausea, vomiting, or hangovers
• Medicines to treat or prevent malaria
• Medicines used for general anesthesia
• Medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection
• Painkillers such as Lidocaine or Novocaine
• ADHD stimulants or medications
• Colon irritation medication
• Medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, restless leg syndrome, or a tumor of the pituitary gland (prolactinoma)

Can food or alcohol interact with Chlorpromazine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or with certain foods because chlorpromazine interactions can occur.

Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss chlorpromazine use with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Chlorpromazine?

Any other health problem in your body can affect the use of chlorpromazine. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems.

Chlorpromazine overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Symptoms of a chlorpromazine overdose may include:

• Dry mouth
• Constipation
• Bloating or stomach cramps
• Feeling restless or restless
• Fever
• Seizures
• Muscle rigidity
• Impaired muscle movement
• Change in heart rate
• Extreme sleepiness
• Fainting

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of chlorpromazine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Do not double your dose of chlorpromazine.