Complete adverse effect profile including incidence rates and management
Important Safety Information
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any unexpected symptoms. For serious or life-threatening side effects, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
ADVERSE REACTIONS Note: Some adverse effects of chlorpromazine hydrochloride may be more likely to occur, or occur with greater intensity, in patients with special medical problems, e.g., patients with mitral insufficiency or pheochromocytoma have experienced severe hypotension following recommended doses.
Drowsiness: usually mild to moderate, may occur, particularly during the first or second week, after which it generally disappears.
If troublesome, dosage may be lowered.
Jaundice: Overall incidence has been low, regardless of indication or dosage.
Most investigators conclude it is a sensitivity reaction.
Most cases occur between the second and fourth weeks of therapy.
The clinical picture resembles infectious hepatitis, with laboratory features of obstructive jaundice, rather than those of parenchymal damage.
It is usually promptly reversible on withdrawal of the medication;
however, chronic jaundice has been reported.
There is no conclusive evidence that pre-existing liver disease makes patients more susceptible to jaundice.
WARNINGS Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death.
Chlorpromazine hydrochloride is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis (see BOXED WARNING ).
The extrapyramidal symptoms which can occur secondary to chlorpromazine hydrochloride may be confused with the central nervous system signs of an undiagnosed primary disease responsible for the vomiting, e.g., Reye's syndrome or other encephalopathy.
The use of chlorpromazine hydrochloride and other potential hepatotoxins should be avoided in children and adolescents whose signs and symptoms suggest Reye's syndrome.
Tardive Dyskinesia Tardive dyskinesia, a syndrome consisting of potentially irreversible, involuntary, dyskinetic movements, may develop in patients treated with antipsychotic drugs.
Like all medications, Chlorpromazine Hydrochloride can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes this medication will experience them. Many side effects are dose-dependent and may improve as your body adjusts to the medication. Others may require dose adjustment or medical attention.
Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you experience:
Seek immediate emergency medical care if you experience signs of: