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Index | Go Back | Email This Information | Print Untitled Document Chlorpromazine

Chlorpromazine

The following information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as a medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

Chlorpromazine

(klor PROE ma zeen)

Canadian Brand Names

Largactil®; Novo-Chlorpromazine

Mexican Brand Names

Largactil

Pharmacologic Category

Antipsychotic Agent, Typical, Phenothiazine

Reasons not to take this medicine

¢ If you have an allergy to chlorpromazine or any other part of this medicine.

¢ Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

¢ If you are breast-feeding.

What is this medicine used for?

¢ This medicine is used to stop hiccups.

¢ This medicine is used to treat behavior problems.

¢ This medicine is used to treat dementia.

¢ This medicine is used to treat disabling involuntary movements in Huntington's chorea.

¢ This medicine is used to treat mania.

¢ This medicine is used to treat nausea and vomiting.

¢ This medicine is used to treat schizophrenia. It may take 6 weeks to see the full effect.

¢ This medicine is used to treat Tourette's syndrome.

How does it work?

¢ Chlorpromazine helps clear your thinking.

¢ It increases chemicals in the brain.

¢ It works on improving social interactions, mood, expression of mood, as well as, delusions, paranoia, and appearance.

How is it best taken?

¢ Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

¢ Drink plenty of noncaffeine-containing liquid unless told to drink less liquid by healthcare provider.

¢ Long-acting products: Swallow whole. Do not chew, break, or crush.

¢ Use suppository rectally.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

¢ Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

¢ If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

¢ Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

¢ Do not change dose or stop medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

¢ If you are 65 or older, use this medicine with caution. You could have more side effects.

¢ Do not spill liquid concentrate on skin. Can irritate your skin.

¢ Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

¢ You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.

¢ Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, antihistamines, and other pain medicine.

¢ You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.

¢ Be careful in hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

¢ Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

¢ Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.

¢ Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.

¢ Nervous and excitable.

¢ Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

¢ Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

¢ Weight gain.

¢ Change in sexual ability or desire. This is usually reversible.

What should I monitor?

¢ Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

¢ Dry mouth may cause an increase in cavities. Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.

¢ Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

¢ If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

¢ Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

¢ Severe dizziness or passing out.

¢ Significant change in balance.

¢ Shakiness, difficulty moving around, or stiffness.

¢ Very nervous and excitable.

¢ Unable to pass urine.

¢ Feeling extremely tired or weak.

¢ Any rash.

¢ No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

¢ Store at room temperature.

¢ Protect from light.

¢ Protect capsules and tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

General statements

¢ If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

¢ Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

¢ Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

¢ Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

¢ Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

¢ Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.



Created: 2006-10-13 11:26:28.0

Modified: 2008-02-11 15:44:24.0

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Please be aware that this information is provided to supplement the care provided by your physician. It is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. CALL YOUR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER IMMEDIATELY IF YOU THINK YOU MAY HAVE A MEDICAL EMERGENCY. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.

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