Drug Groups

approved

Description

Chlorprothixene is a typical antipsychotic drug of the thioxanthene (tricyclic) class. Chlorprothixene exerts strong blocking effects by blocking the 5-HT2 D1, D2, D3, histamine H1, muscarinic and alpha1 adrenergic receptors.

Indication

For treatment of psychotic disorders (e.g. schizophrenia) and of acute mania occuring as part of bipolar disorders.

Pharmacology

Chlorprothixene is a typical antipsychotic drug of the thioxanthine class. It has a low antipsychotic potency (half to 2/3 of chlorpromazine). An intrinsic antidepressant effect of chlorprothixene has been discussed, but not proven yet. Likewise, it is unclear, if chlorprothixene has genuine analgesic effects. An antiemetic effect, as with most antipsychotics, exists. It is used in the treatment of nervous, mental, and emotional conditions. Improvement in such conditions is thought to result from the effect of the medicine on nerve pathways in specific areas of the brain. Chlorprothixene has a strong sedative activity with a high incidence of anticholinergic side-effects. Chlorprothixene is structurally related to chlorpromazine, with which it shares in principal all side effects. Allergic side-effects and liver damage seem to appear with an appreciable lower frequency.

Toxicity

Symptoms of overdose include difficulty in breathing (severe), dizziness (severe), drowsiness (severe), muscle trembling, jerking, stiffness, or uncontrolled movements (severe), small pupils, unusual excitement, and unusual tiredness or weakness (severe).

Affected Organisms

Biotransformation

Hepatic

Absorption

Incomplete bioavailability.

Half Life

8 to 12 hours

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