home *** CD-ROM | disk | FTP | other *** search
- $Unique_ID{BRK03082}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{chlorpromazine}
- $Subject{ Ormazine Hauck Sonazine Cord Thorazine Smith Kline French Spansules
- Thor-Prom Major Phenothiazine tranquilize chlorpromazine hydrochlorid ental
- illness emotional psychosis manic manic-depressive illness behavioral problems
- nerve transmission chemicals brain tetanus porphyria hiccups anxiety nausea
- vomiting}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- chlorpromazine
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- chlorpromazine hydrochloride (various manufacturers)
- Ormazine (Hauck)
- Sonazine (Cord)
- Thorazine (Smith Kline & French)
- Thorazine Spansules (Smith Kline & French)
- Thor-Prom (Major)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Phenothiazine tranquilizer
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- chlorpromazine hydrochloride
-
- DOSAGE FORMS
-
- Tablets (10 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg, and 200 mg)
- Sustained-release capsules (30 mg, 75 mg, 150 mg, 200 mg, and 300 mg)
- Oral concentrate (30 mg per ml and 100 mg per ml)
- Oral syrup (10 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
- Suppositories (25 mg and 100 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- The tablet and capsule forms of this drug should be stored at room
- temperature in tightly closed, light-resistant containers. The oral
- concentrate, oral syrup, and suppository forms of this drug should be stored
- in the refrigerator in tightly closed, light-resistant containers. If the
- oral concentrate or syrup turns to a slight yellow color, the medicine is
- still effective and can be used. However, if the oral concentrate or syrup
- changes color markedly or has particles floating in it, it should not be used;
- instead, it should be discarded down the sink. Chlorpromazine should never be
- frozen.
-
- USES
-
- Chlorpromazine is prescribed to treat the symptoms of certain types of
- mental illness, such as emotional symptoms of psychosis, the manic phase of
- manic-depressive illness, and severe behavioral problems in children. This
- medication is thought to relieve the symptoms of mental illness by blocking
- certain chemicals involved with nerve transmission in the brain.
- Chlorpromazine may also be used to treat tetanus, porphyria,
- uncontrollable hiccups, anxiety before surgery, and nausea and vomiting (this
- medication works at the vomiting center in the brain to relieve nausea and
- vomiting).
-
- TREATMENT
-
- To avoid stomach irritation, take the tablet or capsule forms of this
- medication with a meal or with a glass of water or milk (unless your doctor
- directs you to do otherwise).
- The sustained-release capsules should be taken whole; do not crush,
- break, or open them prior to swallowing. Breaking the capsule would release
- the medication all at once--defeating the purpose of the extended-release
- capsules.
- Measure the oral syrup carefully with a specially designed 5-ml measuring
- spoon. An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate enough.
- The oral concentrate form of this medication should be measured carefully
- with the dropper provided, then added to four ounces (one-half cup) or more of
- water, milk, or a carbonated beverage or to applesauce or pudding immediately
- prior to administration. Be careful that the serving size is not more than
- the patient is willing or able to drink or eat; otherwise, the full dose may
- not be consumed. To prevent possible loss of effectiveness, the medication
- should not be diluted in tea, coffee, or apple juice.
- To use the suppository form of this medication, remove the foil wrapper
- and moisten the suppository with water (if the suppository is too soft to
- insert, refrigerate it for half an hour or run cold water over it before
- removing the wrapper). Lie on your left side with your right knee bent. Push
- the suppository into the rectum, pointed end first. Lie still for a few
- minutes. Try to avoid having a bowel movement for at least an hour.
- If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
- possible, then return to your regular schedule. If it is almost time for the
- next dose, however, skip the one you missed and return to your regular
- schedule. Do not double the dose (unless your doctor directs you to do so).
- Antacids and antidiarrheal medicines may decrease the absorption of this
- medication from the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, at least one hour
- should separate doses of one of these medicines and chlorpromazine.
- The full effects of this medication for the control of emotional or
- mental symptoms may not become apparent for two weeks after you start to take
- it.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Blurred vision, constipation, decreased sweating, diarrhea, dizziness,
- drooling, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, jitteriness, menstrual
- irregularities, nasal congestion, restlessness, tremors, vomiting, or weight
- gain. As your body adjusts to the medication, these side effects should
- disappear.
- This medication can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. It is,
- therefore, important to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight or sunlamps.
- Wear protective clothing, and use an effective sunscreen.
- Chlorpromazine can also cause discoloration of the urine to red, pink, or
- red-brown. This is a harmless effect.
- If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
- fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
- drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy to
- reduce mouth dryness.
- To avoid dizziness or light-headedness when you stand, contract and relax
- the muscles of your legs for a few moments before rising. Do this by pushing
- one foot against the floor while raising the other foot slightly, alternating
- feet so that you are "pumping" your legs in a pedaling motion.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- breast enlargement (in both sexes); chest pain; convulsions; darkened skin;
- difficulty in swallowing or breathing; fainting; fever; impotence; involuntary
- movements of the face, mouth, jaw, or tongue; palpitations; rash; sleep
- disorders; sore throat; uncoordinated movements; unusual bleeding or bruising;
- visual disturbances; or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Chlorpromazine interacts with several types of drugs:
- 1. It can cause extreme drowsiness when combined with alcohol or other
- central nervous system depressants (such as barbiturates, benzodiazepine
- tranquilizers, muscle relaxants, narcotics, and pain medications) or with
- tricyclic antidepressants.
- 2. Chlorpromazine can decrease the effectiveness of amphetamines,
- guanethidine, anticonvulsants, and levodopa.
- 3. The side effects of cyclophosphamide, epinephrine, monoamine oxidase
- (MAO) inhibitors, phenytoin, and tricyclic antidepressants may be increased by
- this medication.
- 4. Chlorpromazine can increase the absorption of propranolol, which can
- increase the risks of side effects.
- 5. Lithium may increase the side effects and decrease the effectiveness
- of this medication.
- Before starting to take chlorpromazine, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed
- above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to chlorpromazine or any other phenothiazine
- tranquilizers (such as fluphenazine, mesoridazine, perphenazine,
- prochlorperazine, promazine, thioridazine, and trifluoperazine) or to
- loxapine.
- * Tell your doctor if you have a history of alcoholism, or if you now
- have or ever had blood disease, bone marrow disease, brain disease, breast
- cancer, blockage in the urinary or digestive tract, drug-induced depression,
- epilepsy, high or low blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, heart or
- circulatory disease, liver disease, lung disease, Parkinson's disease, peptic
- ulcers, or an enlarged prostate gland.
- * Tell your doctor about any recent exposure to a pesticide or an
- insecticide. Chlorpromazine may increase the side effects from the exposure.
- * To prevent oversedation, avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while
- taking this medication.
- * If this drug makes you dizzy or drowsy, avoid any activity that
- requires alertness. Be careful on stairs, and avoid getting up suddenly from
- a lying or sitting position.
- * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
- to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
- * Some of the side effects caused by this drug can be prevented by taking
- an antiparkinsonism drug. Discuss this with your doctor.
- * This medication can decrease sweating and heat release from the body.
- You should, therefore, avoid becoming overheated by strenuous exercise in hot
- weather and should avoid taking hot baths, showers, and saunas.
- * Do not stop taking this medication suddenly. If the drug is stopped
- abruptly, you may experience nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, headache,
- increased heart rate, insomnia, tremors, or a worsening of your condition.
- Your doctor may want to reduce the dosage gradually.
- * If you are planning to have a myelogram or any other procedure in which
- dye will be injected into your spinal cord, tell your doctor that you are
- taking this medication.
- * Avoid spilling the oral concentrate or oral syrup forms of this
- medication on your skin or clothing; it may cause redness and irritation of
- the skin.
- * While you are being treated with this medication, do not take any
- over-the-counter (nonprescription) medications for weight control or for
- cough, cold, allergy, asthma, or sinus problems without first checking with
- your doctor. The combination of these medications with chlorpromazine may
- cause high blood pressure.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Small amounts of this
- medication cross the placenta. Although there are reports of safe use of this
- drug during pregnancy, there are also reports of liver disease and tremors in
- newborn infants whose mothers received this medication close to term. Also,
- tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Small amounts of this
- medication pass into breast milk and may effect in the nursing infant.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-