Thorazine (Chlorpromazine)

What is Thorazine? Thorazine, also known as chlorpromazine, is used to treat the symptoms of mania in people with bipolar and to treat hallucinations, delusions, and other symptoms of schizophrenia. This medication may also be prescribed to treat extreme hyperactivity or aggression in children, excessive and prolonged cases of hiccups, and as part of a course of treatment for tetanus. Thorazine comes in tablet form and can be used in several ways. To treat nausea or hiccups, the medication can be taken over a period of several days and then discontinued. For long-term relief of bipolar mania or psychotic symptoms, Thorazine can be taken several times a day, with the dose determined on an individual basis.

Important Information Before Use:

Thorazine will help control the symptoms of schizophrenia and the manic behavior that accompanies bipolar disorder, but it will not cure these conditions.
Older adults with dementia should not take Thorazine; this medication could cause pneumonia or heart problems.
Talk to your doctor before you start taking Thorazine if you have or have ever had asthma, glaucoma, breast cancer, heart, liver, or kidney disease, abnormal electroencephalogram, problems with blood cells or bone marrow, or lung infections.
You should also mention any serious reactions you have had to other similar medications.
If you work with organophosphorus insecticides, you should not take Thorazine.
Thorazine may interact with other medications or supplements, including antihistamines, anticoagulants, barbiturates, diuretics, antianxiety medications, and more. If you are taking other prescription drugs or supplements, you should check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking Thorazine.

Important Information During Use:

If you are pregnant or become pregnant while taking Thorazine, you should talk to your doctor about alternative treatments for your condition. Thorazine can cause problems in newborns if taken during pregnancy or while breastfeeding.
Thorazine can make you very tired; using alcohol with Thorazine will make this side effect more severe.
Thorazine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, so be sure to use sunblock if you are spending a lot of time outside.
Your surgeon or anesthesiologist needs to know that you are taking Thorazine if you are having any type of surgery, including oral or dental surgery.
Thorazine overdose symptoms include difficulty breathing, seizures, deep sleep, loss of consciousness, or extreme tiredness and weakness.
If you experience serious or severe side effects from Thorazine, you should call your doctor.

Thorazine Side Effects

Serious:

Flulike symptoms, including fever, sweating, chills, or sore throat
Irregular or fast heartbeat
Difficulty swallowing or breathing, tightness in the throat
Severe rash, itching, blisters, or hives
Yellowed eyes or skin
Seizures
Swelling of face, eyes, or extremities
Swollen tongue, odd tongue movements, or tongue that protrudes from the mouth
Bleeding or bruising
Trouble seeing at night or in dim lighting
Muscle stiffness or neck cramps

Less Serious:

Drowsiness or tiredness
Sleep disturbances or insomnia
Dry mouth
Anxiety, restlessness, or excitement
Changes in appetite or weight gain
Stomach upset
Increased skin sensitivity to sunlight
Breast enlargement or breast milk production
Missed menstrual periods
Changes in skin color
Changes in pupil size
Blank expression, shuffling walk, or unusual, uncontrollable body movements

Withdrawing:
It is important to taper off of this medication slowly to avoid severe withdrawal reactions, even if you are replacing Thorazine with another medication.

Possible Symptoms of Thorazine Withdrawal: