Chlorpromazine Description
Chlorpromazine Description
Generic Name: CHLORPROMAZINE
Pronunciation: (klor proe' ma zeen)
Trade Name(s): Chlorecetil Plus, Chlorpromazine, Chlorpromazine TABS, Chlorpromazine, Emetil, Emetil plus, Megatil, Sun Prazin, Trinicalm Forte
Why it is prescribed: Chlorpromazine is a tranquilizer used to treat emotional and mental conditions. It also is used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting, to treat behavior problems in children, and to relieve severe hiccups.
When it is to be taken: Chlorpromazine usually is taken two to four times a day. For nausea and vomiting, it is taken orally every four to six hours or every six to eight hours (rectally) as needed. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully.
How it should be taken: Chlorpromazine comes in the form of tablets, extended-release (long-acting) capsules, oral liquid, and rectal suppositories. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. Do not open extended-release capsules; swallow them whole. You may obtain a specially marked measuring spoon to be sure of an accurate dose of the liquid. Do not allow the liquid to touch your skin or clothing; it can cause skin irritation. Dilute the concentrate in water, milk, soft drink, coffee, tea, tomato or fruit juice, soup, or pudding just before taking it. To insert a rectal suppository, follow these steps:
1 If the suppository feels soft, hold it under cold, running water for one minute. Then move the wrapper.
2 Dip the tip of the suppository in water.
3 Lie down on your left side and raise your right knee to your chest.
4 Using your finger, insert the suppository into the rectum, about 1/2 to 1 inch in infants and children and 1 inch in adults. Hold it in place for a few moments. You may stand up after about 15 minutes.
5 Wash your hands thoroughly and resume your normal activities.
Special Instruction:
1. Chlorpromazine can cause drowsiness. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
2. Although chlorpromazine is not habit-forming, do not stop taking it abruptly, especially if you have been taking it for a long term.
3. Your doctor probably will want to decrease your dose gradually.
4. Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your dose may need to be adjusted occasionally, especially when you first take this drug.
5. You also should have eye examinations periodically if you take chlorpromazine for a long time.
Side Effects:
1. Dry mouth. Suck sugarless hard candies. Drowsiness. This effect usually disappears after you have taken chlorpromazine for a few weeks.
2. Skin discoloration (yellowish-brown to greyish-purple). Stay out of the sun and contact your doctor.
3. Jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms; fine work-like tongue movements; rhythmic face, mouth, or jaw movements; slow or difficult speech; difficulty swallowing; tremors; shuffling walk, drooling; inability to sit still; slow, jerky movements; sore throat; fever; skin rash; yellow skin; weakness; blurred vision; constipation, difficulty urinating. Contact your doctor.
Other Precautions:
1. Before taking chlorpromazine, tell your doctor if you have heart, liver or kidney disease; glaucoma; an enlarged prostate; difficulty urinating; asthma, emphysema, chronic brnchitis, or lung disease; or a history of seizures.
2. Before you take chlorpromazine, tell your doctor if you ever had a bad reaction to insulin, shock therapy, or any other tranquilizer or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
3. If you become pregnant, notify your doctor promptly.
4. Before chlorpromazine, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially lithium, seizure medication, sedatives, sleeping pills, narcotics (pain mediction), muscle relaxants, antihistamines, and medication for depression, Parkinson's disease, hay fever, allergies, or colds.
5. Before having surgery, including dental surgery, with a general anesthetic, tell the doctor that you take chlorpromazine.
6. Avoid exposure to extreme heat or cold.
7. Chlorpromazine decreases your ability to regulate body temperature, resulting in overheating or severe chilling.
8. Do not swim in extremely cold water.
9. Chlorpromazine can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Stay out of the sun when possible, or wear protective clothing, a sunscreen preparation, and sunglasses.
10. Alcohol adds to the drowsiness caused by chlorpromazine. Limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.
Storage Conditions:
1. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature.
3. A slight yellowish discoloration does not change the liquid's effectiveness, but do not use it if it is greatly discolored or if material settles to the bottom of the bottle.
Pronunciation: (klor proe' ma zeen)
Trade Name(s): Chlorecetil Plus, Chlorpromazine, Chlorpromazine TABS, Chlorpromazine, Emetil, Emetil plus, Megatil, Sun Prazin, Trinicalm Forte
Why it is prescribed: Chlorpromazine is a tranquilizer used to treat emotional and mental conditions. It also is used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting, to treat behavior problems in children, and to relieve severe hiccups.
When it is to be taken: Chlorpromazine usually is taken two to four times a day. For nausea and vomiting, it is taken orally every four to six hours or every six to eight hours (rectally) as needed. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully.
How it should be taken: Chlorpromazine comes in the form of tablets, extended-release (long-acting) capsules, oral liquid, and rectal suppositories. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. Do not open extended-release capsules; swallow them whole. You may obtain a specially marked measuring spoon to be sure of an accurate dose of the liquid. Do not allow the liquid to touch your skin or clothing; it can cause skin irritation. Dilute the concentrate in water, milk, soft drink, coffee, tea, tomato or fruit juice, soup, or pudding just before taking it. To insert a rectal suppository, follow these steps:
1 If the suppository feels soft, hold it under cold, running water for one minute. Then move the wrapper.
2 Dip the tip of the suppository in water.
3 Lie down on your left side and raise your right knee to your chest.
4 Using your finger, insert the suppository into the rectum, about 1/2 to 1 inch in infants and children and 1 inch in adults. Hold it in place for a few moments. You may stand up after about 15 minutes.
5 Wash your hands thoroughly and resume your normal activities.
Special Instruction:
1. Chlorpromazine can cause drowsiness. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
2. Although chlorpromazine is not habit-forming, do not stop taking it abruptly, especially if you have been taking it for a long term.
3. Your doctor probably will want to decrease your dose gradually.
4. Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your dose may need to be adjusted occasionally, especially when you first take this drug.
5. You also should have eye examinations periodically if you take chlorpromazine for a long time.
Side Effects:
1. Dry mouth. Suck sugarless hard candies. Drowsiness. This effect usually disappears after you have taken chlorpromazine for a few weeks.
2. Skin discoloration (yellowish-brown to greyish-purple). Stay out of the sun and contact your doctor.
3. Jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms; fine work-like tongue movements; rhythmic face, mouth, or jaw movements; slow or difficult speech; difficulty swallowing; tremors; shuffling walk, drooling; inability to sit still; slow, jerky movements; sore throat; fever; skin rash; yellow skin; weakness; blurred vision; constipation, difficulty urinating. Contact your doctor.
Other Precautions:
1. Before taking chlorpromazine, tell your doctor if you have heart, liver or kidney disease; glaucoma; an enlarged prostate; difficulty urinating; asthma, emphysema, chronic brnchitis, or lung disease; or a history of seizures.
2. Before you take chlorpromazine, tell your doctor if you ever had a bad reaction to insulin, shock therapy, or any other tranquilizer or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
3. If you become pregnant, notify your doctor promptly.
4. Before chlorpromazine, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking, especially lithium, seizure medication, sedatives, sleeping pills, narcotics (pain mediction), muscle relaxants, antihistamines, and medication for depression, Parkinson's disease, hay fever, allergies, or colds.
5. Before having surgery, including dental surgery, with a general anesthetic, tell the doctor that you take chlorpromazine.
6. Avoid exposure to extreme heat or cold.
7. Chlorpromazine decreases your ability to regulate body temperature, resulting in overheating or severe chilling.
8. Do not swim in extremely cold water.
9. Chlorpromazine can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Stay out of the sun when possible, or wear protective clothing, a sunscreen preparation, and sunglasses.
10. Alcohol adds to the drowsiness caused by chlorpromazine. Limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.
Storage Conditions:
1. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature.
3. A slight yellowish discoloration does not change the liquid's effectiveness, but do not use it if it is greatly discolored or if material settles to the bottom of the bottle.
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