Has your doctor prescribed you chlorpromazine? Or maybe a family member or friend of yours is using this medication. It is a fairly strong medication that is often prescribed for various mental health conditions. That is why it is very important to know exactly what this medication is and how to use it safely and correctly. So today, let's talk about this medication in a simple way that you can understand.
Why are we being given this Chlorpromazine medicine?
Simply put, this is a drug used in psychiatry. That is, a drug that is given to control mental disorders. To be precise, this belongs to the group of drugs called ``Antipsychotics``.
This works by balancing the neurotransmitter dopamine in our brain. Think of it this way, dopamine is a chemical messenger that helps control things like our mood, emotions, and thoughts. In some mental illnesses, this dopamine level becomes unbalanced. That's when this medicine is given to help bring it back to the right level.
The main conditions for which this medicine is prescribed are:
- Schizophrenia
- Bipolar disorder
But not only for this, doctors use this medicine for several other reasons as well.
- Control nausea and vomiting.
- Stop the incessant hiccups.
- In the case of a disease called Porphyria.
- In case of tetanus.
- It is sometimes used to calm the patient before surgery.
Things you should tell your doctor before taking medication
This is a very important part. Before you start taking this medicine, it is essential to inform your doctor about any other medical conditions you have. Because this medicine may interact with some medical conditions.
| If you have any of these conditions, be sure to tell your doctor. | |
|---|---|
| A history of heart disease or irregular heartbeat | Low blood pressure |
| Liver disease | Kidney disease |
| Diabetes | Parkinson's disease |
| Seizures | Brain tumor |
| Glaucoma | Dementia |
| Breathing difficulties or asthma | Decreased number of blood cells (e.g. white blood cells) |
| Bowel blockage | Prostate problems |
| Difficulty swallowing | Difficulty urinating |
| If you are a frequent drinker | If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant |
| If you are a breastfeeding mother | If you have an allergy to this medicine or any other medicine or food |
How should I use this medicine?
This medicine is taken by mouth as a tablet. Take it with a glass of water. It is very important to take the correct dose, at the correct time, as prescribed by your doctor. Do not increase or decrease the dose as you feel comfortable, or take it more often than prescribed.
Very important thing:Never stop taking this medicine suddenly without consulting your doctor. This can cause withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. If you need to stop taking the medicine, your doctor will advise you on how to do so.
What to do if you take too much medicine? (Overdose)
If you think you have taken too much of this medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice. Do not delay.
What if I miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take two doses at once, including the missed dose.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
It is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (medicines for other illnesses, vitamins, traditional medicines), as some medications may interact with Chlorpromazine.
| Never take Chlorpromazine with this medicine. | |
|---|---|
| Cisapride | Pimozide |
| Dronedarone | Saquinavir |
| Metoclopramide | Thioridazine |
| These may also interact with Chlorpromazine - tell your doctor. | |
| Alcohol | Medicines for allergies, coughs, and colds (Antihistamines) |
| Medications for depression, anxiety, or sleep | Painkillers (especially those that cause intoxication) |
| Medication for high blood pressure | Medications such as Levodopa for Parkinson's disease |
| Blood thinners such as Warfarin | Emergency anesthesia medication |
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This medication may make you feel sleepy, dizzy, or have blurred vision. So , do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything that requires alertness until you know how this medication affects you.
- Getting up suddenly: Do not get up suddenly from sitting or lying down. Doing so can cause dizziness and fall. Elderly people should be especially careful about this.
- Alcohol: Avoid drinking alcohol. Alcohol can make you feel more sleepy and dizzy.
- Body temperature: This medicine may affect the body's ability to regulate temperature. This means that the body's ability to tolerate extreme cold and extreme heat may be reduced. Therefore, protect yourself from extreme heat and extreme cold. Drink plenty of water.
- Sun sensitivity: This medication may make your skin sensitive to the sun. Therefore, protect yourself from the sun. If you are going to be in the sun, wear clothing that covers your body and use sunscreen.
- Blood sugar: If you are diabetic, this medicine may increase your blood sugar levels. So check your blood sugar levels regularly. If necessary, talk to your doctor about making changes to your diet or diabetes medication.
- Dry mouth: Dry mouth is a common side effect of this medication. This can be managed by chewing sugar-free gum, sucking on sugar-free candy, and drinking plenty of water.
What are the possible side effects?
Like all medications, this one can have side effects. Not everyone gets them. However, it's important to be aware of them.
| If you experience these symptoms, tell your doctor immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Allergies | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) | High fever, muscle stiffness, excessive sweating, fast or irregular heartbeat, confusion. |
| Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) | Uncontrolled body movements, muscle stiffness or twitching, tremors, restlessness, difficulty walking. |
| Liver damage | Upper right abdominal pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stools, dark yellow urine, yellowing of the skin or eyes. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, fainting, blurred vision. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat. |
| Side effects that are usually not dangerous, but should be reported to the doctor if they are bothersome | |
| Constipation | Dry mouth |
| Drowsiness | Weight gain |
Take-Home Message
- Chlorpromazine is a powerful medication that should only be taken under medical advice.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you take and any other medical conditions you have.
- Never stop taking medication suddenly without medical advice.
- Avoid driving and performing tasks that require alertness while taking the medication, as drowsiness and dizziness may occur.
- Avoid alcohol completely.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as high fever, muscle stiffness, or uncontrollable body movements, see a doctor immediately.
- If you take too much medicine, go to a hospital emergency room (ETU) immediately or contact the National Poisons Information Center.
👩🏽⚕️ Additional questions (FAQs)
💬 Chlorpromazine (Chlorpromazine / Thorazine) tablets are the last resort for which disease?
This is an extremely powerful drug from the older generation (Typical antipsychotic / Phenothiazine) designed to control the severe mental illness called 'Schizophrenia'! This is not given to everyone, it is usually used only for the most difficult (Treatment-resistant) patients whose delusions do not completely subside despite all other medications. It is also given to stop severe hiccups and seizures.
💬 How does this pill (Chlorpromazine) reach the brain and eliminate the patient's delusions and impulsiveness?
The main reason for the development of severe mental illnesses is the excessive increase in the chemical 'Dopamine' in the brain! This drug blocks/closes 100% of the dopamine receptors (D2 receptors) as soon as it enters the brain. It eliminates the crazy thoughts in the mind and calms the patient to the point where he cannot even move his leg/arm (sedation).
💬 What are the main side effects that people taking this old drug (Chlorpromazine) should be careful of?
There are many side effects! The biggest danger is 'nerve and muscle spasms (EPS/Tardive Dyskinesia)'. That means that when you drink this, you will definitely experience uncontrollable tremors of the legs/hands, tongue sticking out and twisting, and you will definitely become stiff like a robot. Also, (Anticholinergic) the mouth becomes unbearably dry, the vision becomes blurry, and if you go out in the sun, there is a high chance of getting sunburned (Photosensitivity).
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