When life gets difficult, we start looking for solutions. Problems usually cause problems in our relationships with loved ones and this can deteriorate our quality of life. The obligations imposed on us by the rules that govern within a society can lead us to levels of demand that lead to serious consequences, since it is not easy to belong to certain social groups.
When we have attitudes, thoughts and behaviors that are sanctioned, one of the solutions we adopt is the use of certain psychiatric medications. Throughout history, medicine has had the ability to invent psychotropic drugs that enable adequate treatments for different serious psychiatric conditions. Knowing specific data on this topic can help us when it comes to taking action against this type of inconvenience. Do you want to know more about this? In this Psychology-Online article, we will provide you with information about the Chlorpromazine: what it is, what it is for, dosage and side effects.
What is chlorpromazine
When we refer to chlorpromazine, we are referring to a psychiatric medication that is within the group of medications called neuroleptics. In other words, this means that chlorpromazine is a typical antipsychotic medication which has several uses depending on the clinical condition for which it is used.
What is chlorpromazine used for?
Although chlorpromazine has the characteristic of being an antipsychotic medication, this does not mean that it is only effective against problems linked to psychotic symptoms. In this way, below, we will show you what chlorpromazine is used for, distinguishing the different uses of this medication:
- Schizophrenia symptoms: Chlorpromazine carries out a series of modifications in neuronal functioning that has a positive impact on the reduction of hallucinations and delusions, among others.
- Bipolar disorders: This pathology stands out for the fact that the person presents sudden changes in their mood, a fact that affects the quality of their social relationships. The use of this medication allows people who suffer from this disorder to regulate their emotions. In this article you will find more information about the .
- Aggressive behaviors in children: The manifestation of anger in people with impulse control difficulties can be controlled by administering this psychiatric medication, given that it has a sedative component.
- Severe nausea and vomiting: Chlorpromazine is also an effective medication against nausea and vomiting in some people.
- Tetanus: It is an infection that can be serious due to the acute pain it presents at the muscular level. Chlorpromazine can relieve them thanks to its calming and sedative effect.
Despite the points just mentioned, it should be noted that the supply of this medication must be carried out by a health professional, since they will be in charge of evaluating the patient’s clinical conditions taking into account their particularities.
Recommended Chlorpromazine Dosage
One of the most important aspects to take into account lies in the dose that should be used, since it varies according to the age group in question. Next, we will establish the recommended dose of chlorpromazine for each particular population:
- Children 6 months to 5 years old: The suggested dose ranges from 0.55 milligrams per kilo of weight every six or eight hours to 40 milligrams per day.
- Children from 5 to 12 years old: The maximum recommended dose is 75 milligrams per day.
- Children and/or adolescents weighing more than 45.5 kilos: The maximum recommended dose of Chlorpromazine is one gram per day, which can be distributed in doses of 3 to 12 hours depending on each person.
- Nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy: The intake of 0.5 milligrams every six hours is suggested with the possibility of increasing to 50 milligrams maximum.
- Clinical vomiting syndrome: The suggested intake is 0.5 or 1 gram every six hours, with a maximum dose of 50 milligrams each day.
- Delusions: In these cases, the dose ranges from 2.5 to 6 milligrams every 4 or 6 hours. The maximum stipulated dose is 50 milligrams in children under 5 years of age and 200 milligrams per day for those over 5 years of age.
Here it should be noted that the mode of administration of chlorpromazine can be through oral tablets or through intravenous injections. This may vary depending on each patient and the type of treatment suggested in each case.
Side effects of chlorpromazine
If you are wondering what effects chlorpromazine produces, you should know that, although it has beneficial effects for addressing various problems, the truth is that it also causes side effects that can affect those who consume this psychotropic drug.
In the following items, we will talk about the main side effects of chlorpromazine:
- Dizziness
- Increased appetite.
- Weight gain.
- Nervousness.
- .
- Nasal congestion.
- Dilation or contraction of the pupils.
- Lack of motor coordination.
- Difficulty falling asleep.
- Lack of menstrual periods.
- Secretion of breast milk.
- Lack of sexual ability.
- .
- Loss of balance.
- Fever.
- Sweating.
- Yellow discoloration of the skin.
- Sore throat.
- Shaking chills.
- Irregular heartbeat.
- Muscular stiffness.
- .
- Rash.
- Urticaria.
- Bleeding.
- Bruises.
- Body swelling.
- Respiratory difficulties.
In the presence of any of these manifestations, it is important go to a health center to be evaluated by a specialist.
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
If you want to read more articles similar to Chlorpromazine: what it is, what it is for, dosage and side effectswe recommend that you enter our category.
Bibliography
- Spanish Association of Pediatrics. (November 2020). Chlorpromazine. Retrieved from: https://www.aeped.es/pediamecum/generatepdf/api?n=83431
- Medrano, J. (2012). The diamond anniversary of chlorpromazine. Journal of the Spanish Association of Neuropsychiatry, 32, (116), 851-866.