ChlorpromazineInj - Drug Information and Side Effects on Drug3k.com


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Chlorpromazine images:

Overview

Photos

How To Use

Side Effects

Precautions

Missed Dose

Drug Interactions

Chlorpromazine

Uses
This medication is used to treat several mental/mood disorders (e.g., schizophrenia, mania, restlessness/nervousness, behavior problems), nausea/vomiting, severe/persistent hiccups, a certain liver problem (acute porphyria). It is also used before surgery to prevent nausea/vomiting, or may be given with other medication to treat a certain infection (tetanus). For nervousness, it is usually used when other medications cannot be taken. Chlorpromazine can improve the symptoms of schizophrenia, mania, and mood disorders, making it easier to function in everyday life. Chlorpromazine is part of a class of drugs called phenothiazines. It works by affecting the balance of certain chemicals in the brain.Chlorpromazine injection is used when faster-acting treatment is needed or medications cannot be taken by mouth.
Notes

Do not share this medication with others.Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., liver function, blood counts, eye exams) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects.
Consult your doctor for more details.

Storage

Store at room temperature between 68-77 degrees F (20-25 degrees C) away from light.
Brief storage between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) is permitted.
Protect from freezing.
Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Overdose

Symptoms of overdose may include: severe drowsiness/deep sleep, loss of consciousness, agitation, restlessness, seizures, irregular heartbeat.

How To Use

This medication is usually given in the hospital by deep injection into the hip muscle by a health care professional, or as directed by your doctor.
For some uses (tetanus, prevention of nausea before surgery, severe/persistent hiccups), chlorpromazine may be mixed in a solution and given by injection into a vein.
You should remain lying down for at least 30 minutes after each injection.Before giving this medication, learn all directions for preparation and usage.
Slight yellowing of the liquid is normal.
Inspect it visually for particles or darker discoloration.
If either is present, do not use the liquid.Dosage is based on your medical condition, body weight, and response to treatment.This medication may be given regularly or as needed.
For some uses, it is given regularly to get the most benefit from it.Tell your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Side Effects

Drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, blurred vision, tiredness, nausea, constipation, and trouble sleeping may occur.
Temporary fainting may also occur after the first injection and rarely after any following injections.
You may also be more sensitive to sunburn and less able to tolerate heat/strenuous exercise (see Precautions section).
If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.Many people using this medication have serious side effects.
However, your doctor has prescribed this drug because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects.
Careful monitoring by your doctor may decrease your risk.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: feelings of restlessness/agitation/jitteriness, mask-like facial expression, shuffling walk, drooling, muscle spasm/weakness, trouble swallowing, uncontrollable movements/shaking of the mouth/face/hands, unusual mental/mood changes (e.g., depression, worsening of psychosis), unusual dreams, trouble urinating, severe constipation, severe stomach/abdominal pain, unexplained weight gain, swelling of the feet/ankles, nipple discharge, swollen/tender breasts, changes in menstrual flow, decreased sexual ability, fast/pounding heartbeat with headache, severe dizziness, butterfly-shaped facial rash, joint/muscle pain, confusion, darkening of skin color, vision changes, repeated fainting.For males, in the very unlikely event you have a painful, prolonged erection (lasting more than 4 hours), stop using this drug and seek immediate medical attention or permanent problems could occur.Tell your doctor immediately if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: fever with persistent sore throat/cough/chills, yellowing eyes/skin, dark urine, severe stomach/abdominal pain, unusual bleeding/bruising, chest pain, seizures, confusion, rigid/unresponsive state, severe tiredness, breathing problems, pale skin.This drug may infrequently cause a serious (sometimes fatal) nervous system problem (neuroleptic malignant syndrome).
Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following rare but very serious side effects: fever, rigid muscles, increased sweating, fast heartbeat, mental/mood changes, change in the amount of urine.A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of a serious allergic reaction, including: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing.If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Before using chlorpromazine injection, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other phenothiazines (e.g., thioridazine, promethazine); or if you have any other allergies.This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions.
Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: intoxication with alcohol/narcotics/other drugs that cause drowsiness.This medication should not be used in a patient who is unconscious.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: liver problems, kidney problems, certain heart problems (e.g., angina), heart rhythm problems, very high or low blood pressure, blockage of intestines, eye problems (e.g., glaucoma), seizures, enlarged prostate, breathing problems (e.g., severe asthma, emphysema, lung infections), blood disorders (e.g., low white or red blood cells), low blood calcium levels, low body water (dehydration), breast cancer.This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause blurred vision.
Use caution while driving, using machinery, or doing any activity that requires alertness and clear vision.
Avoid alcoholic beverages.To reduce dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.Before having surgery or imaging procedures (e.g., certain X-rays, CT scan) requiring the use of dye, tell your doctor or dentist that you are using this medication.This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun.
Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps.
Wear sunblock (SPF 30 or greater) and a hat when outdoors.Caution is advised during hot weather because chlorpromazine may decrease your ability to sweat, leading to fever or a very serious reaction to heat (heatstroke).
Drink plenty of fluids and dress lightly.
Avoid strenuous exercise in hot weather.
If you become overheated, promptly seek cooler shelter and/or stop exercising.
Seek immediate medical attention if your body temperature is above normal or if you have mental/mood changes, headache, or dizziness.Facial/muscle twitching and uncontrollable movements (tardive dyskinesia) may occur with this medication and may be permanent.
The risk may be greater with large doses and prolonged use of this medication.
Discuss ways to reduce this risk with your doctor.A preservative (benzyl alcohol) that might be found in this product or in the liquid used to mix this product can infrequently cause serious (sometimes fatal) problems if given in large amounts (more than 100 milligrams per kilogram daily) to an infant during the first months of life.
The risk is also greater with low-birth-weight infants.
Symptoms include sudden gasping, low blood pressure, or very slow heartbeat.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn, report them to the doctor immediately.
If possible, a preservative-free product should be used when treating newborns.Caution is advised when using this drug in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug, especially drowsiness, dizziness (which may increase the risk of falls), and the development of uncontrolled movements (e.g., tardive dyskinesia).Caution is advised when using this drug in children because they may be more sensitive to the effects of the drug.During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed.
Infants born to mothers who used this medication during pregnancy may develop liver problems or muscle/movement problems.
Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.This medication passes into breast milk.
Therefore, breast-feeding while using this medication is not recommended.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, tell your doctor immediately.

Drug Interactions

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them.
Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with your doctor or pharmacist first.This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: metrizamide, pergolide, cabergoline, sibutramine, drugs that may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolonging drugs such as cisapride, pimozide, ziprasidone, amiodarone, droperidol, ranolazine, halofantrine, bepridil, disopyramide).If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting chlorpromazine.Other drugs besides chlorpromazine and those listed above that may affect the heart rhythm (QTc prolongation in the EKG) include dofetilide, quinidine, sotalol, procainamide, and erythromycin, among others.
QTc prolongation can infrequently result in a serious (rarely fatal) irregular heartbeat.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details and for instructions on how you may reduce the risk of this effect.Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: alpha blockers (e.g., prazosin), "blood thinners" (e.g., warfarin), propranolol, guanethidine, guanadrel, lithium, phenytoin, certain "water pills" (diuretics such as hydrochlorothiazide, chlorthalidone).Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., phenobarbital), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), other psychiatric medicines (e.g., risperidone, trazodone).Also report the use of the following drugs that might increase your risk of a seizure when combined with chlorpromazine such as bupropion, isoniazid (INH), other phenothiazines (e.g., thioridazine), theophylline, tramadol, and tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline), among others.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details.This drug may interfere with some laboratory tests (e.g.
certain pregnancy tests).
Make sure laboratory technicians and all your doctors know you use this drug.

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CONDITIONS OF USE: The information in this database is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgement of healthcare professionals. The information is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions or adverse effects, nor should it be construed to indicate that use of a particular drug is safe, appropriate or effective for you or anyone else. A healthcare professional should be consulted before taking any drug, changing any diet or commencing or discontinuing any course of treatment.