Drug Notes

Chlorpromazine (By injection)

Chlorpromazine (klor-PROE-ma-zeen)

Treats mental illness, behavior disorders, tetanus, blood disorders such as porphyria, and severe nausea and vomiting. Also used to reduce anxiety before surgery.

Brand Name(s):

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your dose and schedule. This medicine is given through a needle placed in a vein. The medicine may also be given as a shot into one of your muscles.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how chlorpromazine works. Tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following:
  • A blood thinner, such as warfarin
  • A diuretic (water pill), such as hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
  • Blood pressure medicine, such as propranolol
  • Cancer medicine
  • Lithium
  • Phenothiazine medicine, such as promethazine, chlorpromazine
  • Seizure medicine
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have glaucoma, asthma, emphysema or other lung problems, or a history of heart, liver, or kidney disease, breast cancer, or seizures.
• This medicine may make you drowsy. Do not drive or doing anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Tardive dyskinesia, a condition that causes muscle movement you cannot control
  • Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS), a life-threatening neurological disorder
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• Your doctor will check your progress and the effects of this medicine at regular visits. Keep all appointments.
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Decrease in how much or how often you urinate
• Fever, sweating, confusion, irregular heartbeat, or muscle stiffness
• Jerky muscle movement you cannot control (often in your face, tongue, or jaw)
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Problems with balance or walking
• Seizures or blurred vision
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
• Yellow skin or eyes

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

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

Last Updated: 1/27/2017