chlorpromazine hydrochloride at a glance
Medicine class
First-generation phenothiazine antipsychotic.
Main roles
Psychosis, mania and selected short-term management of severe agitation or dangerously impulsive behaviour.
Administration
Taken by mouth as tablets or oral syrup. Tablets are swallowed with water.
Important practical point
It can cause sleepiness, blurred vision and dizziness on standing. Do not drive or use machinery if affected.
What is chlorpromazine hydrochloride used for?
The selected products are licensed for:
Schizophrenia and other psychoses, particularly where paranoia is prominent.
Mania and hypomania.
Short-term adjunctive management of severe anxiety, psychomotor agitation, excitement, or violent or dangerously impulsive behaviour.
Nausea and vomiting in terminal illness when other options have failed or are unavailable.
Persistent, otherwise intractable hiccups.
Childhood schizophrenia and autism.
How does chlorpromazine hydrochloride work?
It blocks dopamine receptors in the brain, which can reduce psychotic symptoms and contribute to its anti-sickness effect. Actions at other receptors help explain sedation, low blood pressure and dry mouth.
chlorpromazine hydrochloride preparations and strengths
Syrup
Route: Oral
Strengths: 25 mg/5 mL, 100 mg/5 mL
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg
How to take chlorpromazine hydrochloride
Follow the dispensing label. Swallow tablets with water and measure oral syrup with an appropriate device. Do not stop treatment without discussing it with the prescriber.
Avoid alcohol because it can substantially increase drowsiness and worsen breathing suppression.
Avoid excessive direct sunlight and use suitable protection because chlorpromazine can increase sunlight sensitivity.
Do not drive or operate machinery if sleepy, dizzy or experiencing visual disturbance.
chlorpromazine hydrochloride side effects
Common or expected effects
- Sleepiness or sedation.
- Weight gain.
- Dizziness, light-headedness or faintness on standing.
- Dry mouth.
- Restlessness, tremor, stiffness, spasms or other movement problems.
- Raised prolactin, which may cause missed periods or unexpected breast-milk production.
- Changes in glucose tolerance.
Get urgent medical advice
- High temperature, severe muscle stiffness, sweating, altered consciousness or unstable pulse and blood pressure: possible neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
- Uncontrolled face, tongue, jaw or limb movements, severe spasms or seizures.
- Palpitations, fainting or an abnormal heart rhythm.
- Fever, sore throat, mouth ulcers or recurrent infections suggesting a blood-cell disorder.
- Jaundice, dark urine or significant abdominal symptoms suggesting liver injury.
- A widespread rash with fever, swollen glands or flu-like symptoms, which may indicate DRESS.
- Severe allergic reaction, breathing difficulty, venous blood clot symptoms or intestinal obstruction.
chlorpromazine hydrochloride in pregnancy
The selected product information advises avoiding chlorpromazine during pregnancy unless the treating clinician considers it essential. Exposure late in pregnancy can cause newborn movement, withdrawal, breathing or feeding problems requiring observation. Do not stop established treatment abruptly; discuss pregnancy or pregnancy planning promptly with the prescriber or specialist team.
chlorpromazine hydrochloride while breastfeeding
The selected product information states that chlorpromazine should not be used while breastfeeding because it passes into milk and may cause infant drowsiness or movement effects. Seek an individual specialist assessment rather than stopping treatment independently.
chlorpromazine hydrochloride interactions
Check prescribed, over-the-counter and herbal products with a pharmacist or prescriber. Important examples include:
Citalopram or escitalopram
These combinations are contraindicated in the selected product information because of cardiac rhythm risk.
Levodopa and other dopaminergic medicines
The treatments can oppose each other; several combinations are contraindicated or not recommended.
Common questions about chlorpromazine hydrochloride
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Is chlorpromazine hydrochloride a typical antipsychotic?
Yes. It is a first-generation, or typical, phenothiazine antipsychotic.
Why can chlorpromazine hydrochloride make me sleepy?
Its effects on dopamine and other receptors depress central nervous system activity. Alcohol and other sedatives may increase sleepiness.
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.