Chlorpromazine Solution

What is this medication?

CHLORPROMAZINE (klor PROE ma zeen) treats several kinds of mental health conditions, such as schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. It works by balancing the level of dopamine in your brain, a substance that helps regulate mood. It may also be used to treat nausea and vomiting, prolonged hiccups, episodes of porphyria, and tetanus. It can also help you relax before a procedure. It belongs to a group of medications called antipsychotics.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Thorazine

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• Blockage in your bowel
• Brain tumor
• Dementia
• Diabetes
• Difficulty swallowing
• Glaucoma
• Have trouble controlling your muscles
• Head injury
• Heart disease
• History of irregular heartbeat
• If you often drink alcohol
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Low blood counts, such as low white cell, platelet, or red cell counts
• Low blood pressure
• Lung or breathing disease, such as asthma
• Parkinson disease
• Prostate disease
• Seizures
• Trouble passing urine
• An unusual or allergic reaction to chlorpromazine, sulfites, other medications, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• Pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• Breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this medication by mouth. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. Use a specially marked oral syringe, spoon, or dropper to measure each dose. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one. Household spoons are not accurate.

Mix the dose in a glass with at least 60 mL (2 ounces) of liquid, such as water, juice, or milk. Drink the contents of the glass right away. If preferred, the dose may be mixed into semisolid foods, such as soup or pudding, instead of liquid. Swallow the mix right away.

Talk to your care team about the use of this medication in children. While it may be prescribed for children as young as 6 months for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

Do not take this medication with any of the following:

• Cisapride
• Dronedarone
• Ketoconazole
• Levoketoconazole
• Metoclopramide
• Pimozide
• Quinidine
• Saquinavir
• Thioridazine
• Ziprasidone

This medication may also interact with the following:

• Alcohol
• Antihistamines
• Atropine
• Benzodiazepines, such as alprazolam, diazepam, or lorazepam
• Certain medications for bladder problems, such as oxybutynin or tolterodine
• Certain medications for depression, such as amitriptyline or trazodone
• Certain medications for Parkinson disease, such as levodopa
• Certain medications for seizures, such as phenobarbital or primidone
• Certain medications for stomach problems, such as dicyclomine or hyoscyamine
• Certain medications for travel sickness, such as scopolamine
• Ipratropium
• Lithium
• Medications that cause drowsiness before a procedure, such as propofol
• Medications that help you fall asleep
• Medications that relax muscles
• Opioids for pain or cough
• Other medications that cause heart rhythm changes
• Other phenothiazines, such as prochlorperazine or thioridazine
• Propranolol
• Thiazide diuretics, such as chlorthalidone or hydrochlorothiazide

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your care team for regular checks on your progress. Tell your care team if symptoms do not start to get better or if they get worse. Do not stop taking except on your care team's advice. You may develop a severe reaction. Your care team will tell you how much medication to take.

This medication may affect your coordination, reaction time, or judgment. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medication affects you. Sit up or stand slowly to reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Drinking alcohol with this medication can increase the risk of these side effects.

This medication can cause problems with controlling your body temperature. It can lower the response of your body to cold temperatures. If possible, stay indoors during cold weather. If you must go outdoors, wear warm clothes. It can also lower the response of your body to heat. Do not overheat. Do not over-exercise. Stay out of the sun when possible. If you must be in the sun, wear cool clothing. Drink plenty of water. If you have trouble controlling your body temperature, call your care team right away.

This medication can make you more sensitive to the sun. Keep out of the sun. If you cannot avoid being in the sun, wear protective clothing and sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or tanning beds/booths.

This medication may increase blood sugar. Ask your care team if changes in diet or medications are needed if you have diabetes.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your care team if the problem does not go away or is severe.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your care team that you are taking this medication.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:

• Allergic reactions—skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
• Infection—fever, chills, cough, or sore throat
• High fever, stiff muscles, increased sweating, fast or irregular heartbeat, and confusion, which may be signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• High prolactin level—unexpected breast tissue growth, discharge from the nipple, change in sex drive or performance, irregular menstrual cycle
• Liver injury—right upper belly pain, loss of appetite, nausea, light-colored stool, dark yellow or brown urine, yellowing skin or eyes, unusual weakness or fatigue
• Low blood pressure—dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
• Uncontrolled and repetitive body movements, muscle stiffness or spasms, tremors or shaking, loss of balance or coordination, restlessness, shuffling walk, which may be signs of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS)

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report these to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):

• Constipation
• Dizziness
• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth
• Weight gain

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Protect from light. Get rid of any unused medication after the expiration date.

To get rid of medications that are no longer needed or have expired:

• Take the medication to a medication take-back program. Check with your pharmacy or law enforcement to find a location.
• If you cannot return the medication, check the label or package insert to see if the medication should be thrown out in the garbage or flushed down the toilet. If you are not sure, ask your care team. If it is safe to put it in the trash, pour the medication out of the container. Mix the medication with cat litter, dirt, coffee grounds, or other unwanted substance. Seal the mixture in a bag or container. Put it in the trash.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.