Largactil

Brand Name:Largactil, Novo-Chlorpromazine

Prescription needed: Yes

What is this drug used for?

Chlorpromazine is most commonly used to treat the symptoms of serious mental and emotional disorders, including schizophrenia, and other disorders where a degree of sedation may also be required. It can also be used to decrease the symptoms of nausea and vomiting caused by other conditions or by medications or radiation therapy. Additionally, it has been used in situations where people have hiccups that will not stop.

Is there any reason not to take this drug?

You should not take this drug if you are allergic to chlorpromazine or similar medications such as prochlorperazine, fluphenazine, trifluoperazine, perphenazine and/or methotrimeprazine. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor specifically if you have or have ever had:
  • irregular heartbeat or heart rhythm problems
  • severe lung and breathing problems
  • problems with your liver or kidney
  • any blood problems
  • difficulty going to the bathroom (e.g. urinary incontinence or urinary retention)
  • constipation
  • glaucoma
  • seizures
  • enlarged prostate
  • low blood pressure
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • low levels of calcium in the blood (hypocalcemia)
  • a condition called, neuroleptic malignant syndrome
  • breast cancer
  • signs and symptoms similar to Reye’s syndrome
  • Pheochromocytoma

What about possible side effects?

The most common side effects to this medication include:
  • feeling extremely sleepy and drowsy
  • constipation
  • decreased sweating
  • dry mouth
  • difficulty urinating (it may be hard to start the flow of urine or to empty your bladder completely)
  • dizziness, lightheadedness
  • low blood pressure
  • weight gain
  • increased sensitivity to the sun (burn more easily)

These side effects are usually related to dose, the use of other medications and other factors (e.g. older age, other medical conditions). As well, some of these side effects may go away with time. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about whether you have any risk factors that may make you more sensitive to these side effects. Contact your doctor if these symptoms continue or become worse.

These side effects are usually related to dose, the use of other medications and other factors (e.g. older age, other medical conditions). As well, some of these side effects may go away with time. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about whether you have any risk factors that may make you more sensitive to these side effects. Contact your doctor if these symptoms continue or become worse.

Other side effects (some severe) include:

  • changes in vision
  • Parkinson-like symptoms (if this occurs, it is usually at high doses and with long-term therapy)
  • infrequent periods (women)
  • jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms – call your doctor immediately
  • liver problems (contact your doctor if you experience unexplained nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine, yellowing of the skin and/or eyes)
  • changes to your heart rhythm (this is a rare side effect and is usually a concern in people with heart rhythm problems and/or with the use of some medications)
  • rash
  • feeling extremely hot or cold
  • a condition, called agranulocytosis (very rare, contact your doctor immediately if you experience unexplained sore throat, fever, chills, or other signs of infection) and other anemias.
  • changes in how well your immune system works (rare and if occurs, usually with long term therapy)
  • seizures

This is not a complete list of side effects. If you are concerned about these or other unusual symptoms while taking this medication, ask your doctor and/or pharmacist for more information and advice.

What if I am taking other drugs?

Always provide your doctor with a list of all other drugs you are taking (including over-the-counter medications and herbal/natural products) as they may interact with and/or may change the safety or effectiveness of either drug. Tell your doctor specifically if you are taking any of these drugs as he/she may need to make changes or monitor you more closely:

Drugs that can cause tiredness, sedation, dizziness or increase the chances of having the same side effects (Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following drugs:
  • antihistamines (e.g. diphenhydramine, hydroxyzine)
  • opioid pain medications (e.g. codeine, oxycodone, morphine, hydromorphone)
  • other antidepressants (e.g. sertraline, paroxetine, trazodone), medications for anxiety (e.g. lorazepam, diazepam) and antipsychotics (e.g. risperidone, haloperidol)
  • muscle relaxants (e.g. cyclobenzaprine)
  • drugs for epilepsy (gabapentin, phenytoin, phenobarbital, carbamazepine, valproic acid)
  • oxybutynin, tolterodine, TCA antidepressants (e.g. amitriptyline) (may increase your chances of side effects with urinating, constipation or dry mouth)
  • amiodarone, astemizole, quinidine, erythromycin, clarithromycin, other anti-psychotics (e.g.risperidone, haloperidol), sotalol, procainamide, propafenone (increase your chances of having heart rhythm side effects)
  • medications for blood pressure (may increase your chances for having low blood pressure)
  • metoclopramide and other medications for schizophrenia (may increase your chances of having Parkinson-like side effects)
  • lithium
  • rifampin, carbamazepine, phenobarbital (may see decrease blood levels of amitriptyline and a decrease in how well the drug works)
  • itraconazole, ketoconazole, HIV protease inhibitors (e.g. ritonavir), amiodarone, clarithromycin, erythromycin, cyclosporine, diltiazem, verapamil, fluoxetine and other drugs that interfere with the liver’s ability to clear the medication (may increase the amount of chlorpromazine in your blood and increase your chances of feeling side effects).
  • warfarin

    • This is not a complete list of drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to review your list of medications.

    Other information:

    Long-term use: Using this medication for a long-time may increase your chances of having Parkinson-like side effects.

    Surgical procedures: Should you require a general anesthetic, chlorpromazine treatment may need to be stopped. Talk to your doctor or dentist prior to any procedure.

    Sun exposure: This drug may cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time, may cause a skin rash, itching, or a severe sunburn.

    Children: Not recommended for infants under the age of one year. Reduced dose necessary for older children.

    Seniors: Can be used but lower doses are required, especially in the beginning since this age group is at higher risk for side effects.

    Pregnancy: Not usually prescribed. Talk to your doctor.

    Women who are nursing: This drug passes into breast milk and may affect the baby. Talk to your doctor.

    People who drive or operate machinery: Should not do so until they know the impact this drug has on them personally.

    Overdose: If you experience any unusual reactions or if you seriously exceed the recommended dosage, call your doctor or 911.

    Stopping the drug: Do not stop taking this drug without talking to your doctor. Your doctor will likely need to decrease this medication over time to prevent you from having any withdrawal symptoms.

    If you miss a dose: Take as soon as you remember unless your next dose is due within 4 hours, in which case you just take this dose. Do not take 2 doses at the same time. If you are unsure of what to do, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.

    Storage conditions: Closed container; cool, dry location away from excess moisture (not in the bathroom); direct light, always out of reach of children.

    Alcohol: Should be avoided. Will increase your chances of having side effects.

    Dietary Precautions: None