13 Facts About Chlorpromazine

Chlorpromazine, marketed under the brand names Thorazine and Largactil among others, is an antipsychotic medication.

Chlorpromazine is in the typical antipsychotic class, and, chemically, is one of the phenothiazines.

Chlorpromazine was developed in 1950 and was the first antipsychotic on the market.

Chlorpromazine is used in the treatment of both acute and chronic psychoses, including schizophrenia and the manic phase of bipolar disorder, as well as amphetamine-induced psychosis.

Chlorpromazine has been used in porphyria and as part of tetanus treatment.

Chlorpromazine is occasionally used off-label for treatment of severe migraine.

Chlorpromazine is a very effective antagonist of D2 dopamine receptors and similar receptors, such as D3 and D5.

Chlorpromazine tends to have greater effect at serotonin receptors than at D2 receptors, which is notably the opposite effect of the other typical antipsychotics.

Chlorpromazine is an antagonist to H1 receptors, H2 receptors, M1 and M2 receptors and some 5-HT receptors.

Chlorpromazine suggested to Rhone-Poulenc that they develop a compound with better stabilizing properties.

Chlorpromazine was distributed for testing to physicians between April and August 1951.

Chlorpromazine largely replaced electroconvulsive therapy, hydrotherapy, psychosurgery, and insulin shock therapy.

Chlorpromazine has tentative benefit in animals infected with Naegleria fowleri, and shows antifungal and antibacterial activity in vitro.