Chlorpromazine
Introduction
Chlorpromazine is a type of medication classified as a typical antipsychotic, first synthesized in the 1950s. It is primarily used to treat certain mental/mood disorders, such as schizophrenia, and can also be used to treat severe behavioral problems in children when other treatments have failed.
History and Development
Chlorpromazine was first synthesized in December 1950 by Paul Charpentier, a chemist working at the French pharmaceutical company Rhône-Poulenc. The compound was initially developed as part of a research program to find new antihistamines. It was Henri Laborit, a surgeon looking for substances to reduce surgical shock, who first recognized the potential psychiatric applications of chlorpromazine.
Pharmacology
Chlorpromazine is a dopamine antagonist, meaning it works by blocking the action of dopamine, a neurotransmitter in the brain. It also has actions at various other neurotransmitter receptors, including those for serotonin, acetylcholine, and histamine. The broad action at various receptors is thought to be responsible for its wide range of clinical effects.
Clinical Uses
Chlorpromazine is used in the management of manifestations of psychotic disorders and for the control of severe nausea and vomiting in adults. It is also used to treat acute intermittent porphyria (a genetic metabolic disorder that affects the production of heme, a component of hemoglobin), and for the relief of restlessness and apprehension before surgery. In pediatric patients, it is used for the treatment of severe behavioral problems.
Side Effects and Precautions
Like all medications, chlorpromazine has potential side effects. These can include drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation, and weight gain. More serious side effects can include tardive dyskinesia (a disorder that involves involuntary movements), neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a potentially life-threatening condition), and severe skin reactions.