* Generic Name: chlorpromazine
* Brand Name: Thorazine
* What is chlorpromazine (Thorazine)?
* What are the possible side effects of chlorpromazine
(Thorazine)?
* What is the most important information I should know about
chlorpromazine (Thorazine)?
* What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
chlorpromazine (Thorazine)?
* How should I take chlorpromazine (Thorazine)?
* What happens if I miss a dose (Thorazine)?
* What happens if I overdose (Thorazine)?
* What should I avoid while taking chlorpromazine (Thorazine)?
* What other drugs will affect chlorpromazine (Thorazine)?
* Where can I get more information (Thorazine)?
What is chlorpromazine (Thorazine)?
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 ages 1 through 12.
Chlorpromazine 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 are the possible side effects of chlorpromazine (Thorazine)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an
allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face,
lips, tongue, or throat.
High doses or long-term use of chlorpromazine can cause a serious
movement disorder that may not be reversible. Symptoms of this disorder
include uncontrollable muscle movements of your lips, tongue, eyes,
face, arms, or legs. The longer you take chlorpromazine, the more
likely you are to develop a serious movement disorder. The risk of this
side effect is higher in women and older adults.
Call your doctor at once if you have:
* uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking,
frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement);
* stiffness in your neck, tightness in your throat, trouble breathing
or swallowing;
* sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat,
swollen gums, painful mouth sores, pain when swallowing, skin
sores, cold or flu symptoms, cough;
* pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding;
* jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
* severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high
fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats,
tremors, feeling like you might pass out.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this
medication.
Common side effects may include:
* drowsiness;
* breast swelling or discharge;
* changes in menstrual periods;
* dry mouth or stuffy nose, blurred vision;
* constipation; or
* impotence, trouble having an orgasm.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call
your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side
effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about chlorpromazine
(Thorazine)?
Stop using this medicine 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 approved for use in psychotic conditions related
to dementia. Chlorpromazine may increase the risk of death in older
adults with dementia-related conditions.
Thorazine Patient Information including How Should I Take
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What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking
chlorpromazine (Thorazine)?
You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to chlorpromazine
or other phenothiazines (such as fluphenazine, perphenazine,
prochlorperazine, promethazine, thioridazine, or
trifluoperazine).
Do not take chlorpromazine if you have recently used large amounts of
alcohol or taken a medicine that makes you sleepy.
Chlorpromazine is not approved for use in psychotic conditions related
to dementia. Chlorpromazine may increase the risk of death in older
adults with dementia-related conditions.
To make sure chlorpromazine is safe for you, tell your doctor if you
have:
* bone marrow suppression;
* a brain tumor;
* heart disease;
* liver or kidney disease;
* severe asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problem;
* a history of breast cancer;
* glaucoma;
* seizures or epilepsy;
* pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);
* an enlarged prostate or urination problems; or
* if you also take lithium or a blood thinner (warfarin,
Coumadin).
Talk with your doctor before giving chlorpromazine to a child who has
been ill with a fever or flu symptoms.
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.
You should not breast-feed while using this medicine.
How should I take chlorpromazine (Thorazine)?
Follow all directions on your prescription label. Do not take this
medicine in larger or smaller amounts or for longer than recommended.
This medicine can cause unusual results with certain medical tests.
Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using chlorpromazine.
If you need to have any type of x-ray scan or MRI of your spinal cord,
tell the doctor ahead of time that you are using chlorpromazine. You
may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
Do not stop using chlorpromazine suddenly after long-term use, or you
could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid
withdrawal symptoms when you stop using chlorpromazine.
Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
Thorazine Patient Information including If I Miss a Dose
Schizophrenia: Types, Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Schizophrenia Slideshow Pictures
RxList
Take the Schizophrenia Quiz
What happens if I miss a dose (Thorazine)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if
it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra
medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose (Thorazine)?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at
1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include dry mouth, bloating or stomach
cramps, feeling restless or agitated, fever, muscle stiffness, jerky
muscle movements, changes in heart rate, or seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking chlorpromazine (Thorazine)?
This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you
drive or do anything that requires you to be alert. Avoid getting up
too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get
up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Avoid drinking alcohol. Dangerous side effects could occur.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Chlorpromazine can make you
sunburn more easily. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen
(SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors.
What other drugs will affect chlorpromazine (Thorazine)?
Taking chlorpromazine with other drugs that make you sleepy or slow
your breathing can cause dangerous or life-threatening side effects.
Ask your doctor before taking a sleeping pill, narcotic pain
medicine, prescription cough medicine, a muscle relaxer, or medicine
for anxiety, depression, or seizures.
Other drugs may interact with chlorpromazine, including prescription
and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Tell
each of your health care providers about all medicines you use now and
any medicine you start or stop using.
Where can I get more information (Thorazine)?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about chlorpromazine.
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