What is chlorpromazine?
Chlorpromazine is an anti-psychotic medication in a group of drugs called phenothiazines (FEEN-oh-THYE-a-zeens). It works by changing the actions of chemicals in your brain.
Chlorpromazine is used to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia or manic-depression, and severe behavioral problems in children. It is also used to treat nausea and vomiting, anxiety before surgery, chronic hiccups, acute intermittent porphyria, and symptoms of tetanus.
Chlorpromazine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about chlorpromazine?
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs. These could be early signs of dangerous side effects.
Chlorpromazine is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Chlorpromazine may 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 are also using large amounts of alcohol or medicines that make you sleepy. Do not use if you are allergic to chlorpromazine or other phenothiazines.
Before you take chlorpromazine, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, heart disease or high blood pressure, glaucoma, severe breathing problems, past or present breast cancer, low levels of calcium in your blood, adrenal gland tumor, enlarged prostate or urination problems, a history of seizures, Parkinson's disease, or if you have ever had a serious side effect while using chlorpromazine or similar medicines.
Before taking chlorpromazine, tell your doctor about all other medications you use.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking chlorpromazine?
Chlorpromazine is not for use in psychotic conditions related to dementia. Chlorpromazine may 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 are also using large amounts of alcohol or medicines 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 (Stelazine).
To make sure you can safely take chlorpromazine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:
liver or kidney disease;
heart disease or high blood pressure;
severe asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problem;
glaucoma;
past or present breast cancer;
low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia);
adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma);
an enlarged prostate or urination problems;
a history of seizures;
Parkinson's disease; or
if you have ever had a serious side effect while using chlorpromazine or any other phenothiazine.
Tell your doctor if you will be exposed to extreme heat or cold, or to insecticide poisons while you are taking chlorpromazine.
Taking antipsychotic medication during the last 3 months of pregnancy may cause problems in the newborn, such as withdrawal symptoms, breathing problems, feeding problems, fussiness, tremors, and limp or stiff muscles. However, you may have withdrawal symptoms or other problems if you stop taking your medicine during pregnancy. If you become pregnant while taking chlorpromazine, do not stop taking it without your doctor's advice.
Chlorpromazine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Talk with your doctor before giving this medication to a child who has been ill with a fever or flu symptoms.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medication.