Chlorpromazine Medicines

Chlorpromazine is a typical antipsychotic in the phenothiazine class used to treat schizophrenia, bipolar mania, and severe nausea by blocking dopamine and other neurotransmitters.

Thorazine

Chlorpromazine

$0.40 per pill

50 | 100mg

Select pack

About Chlorpromazine

Chlorpromazine is a first-generation antipsychotic belonging to the phenothiazine class. It was first approved in the -s for the management of schizophrenia and later expanded to treat acute psychosis, severe nausea, and certain mood disorders. The drug works by blocking dopamine D2 receptors while also affecting serotonergic, histaminergic, and adrenergic pathways, producing both antipsychotic and sedative effects. Marketed under brand names such as Largactil, Thorazine, and Haldol-C, chlorhexazine is widely available in generic form, making it a common choice in psychiatric and emergency care. Off-label, clinicians sometimes use it for controlling severe agitation in intensive-care settings or as an adjunct in refractory migraine attacks.

What is Chlorpromazine?

Chlorpromazine is a phenothiazine-based antipsychotic that exerts its primary action by antagonizing dopamine D2 receptors in the mesolimbic pathway. The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) of Australia listed it as a Schedule 8 medication in 1965, and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved its initial indication for schizophrenia in 1954. Subsequent regulatory updates have added acute psychosis, severe nausea and vomiting, and manic episodes as approved uses, according to the FDA and the European Medicines Agency (EMA).

At the molecular level, chlorpromazine binds to D2, 5-HT2A, α1-adrenergic, and H1 histamine receptors. This broad receptor profile reduces dopaminergic transmission (mitigating psychotic symptoms) while also producing antihistaminic sedation and α-adrenergic blockade (lowering blood pressure). The drug is sold both as brand-named tablets (e.g., Largactil 25 mg) and as inexpensive generics, all of which can be purchased through our online pharmacy.

How Chlorpromazine Works

Mechanism of Action

Chlorpromazine blocks dopamine D2 receptors in the brain’s limbic system, decreasing dopamine-mediated neurotransmission that underlies hallucinations and delusions. Simultaneously, it antagonizes 5-HT2A serotonin receptors, contributing to mood stabilization, and inhibits H1 histamine receptors, causing sedation. α1-adrenergic blockade leads to vasodilation, which explains orthostatic hypotension observed in some patients.

Therapeutic Effects

By dampening dopaminergic signaling, chlorpromazine reduces positive psychotic symptoms such as hallucinations, thought disorder, and agitation. Its antihistaminic activity adds a calming effect that is useful in acute agitation or severe nausea. The combined receptor blockade also lowers blood pressure and can diminish psychomotor excitement, supporting its use in emergency psychiatric settings.

Onset and Duration

Oral chlorpromazine reaches peak plasma concentrations within 2-4 hours. Clinical improvement in psychotic symptoms commonly appears within 3-7 days, while anti-nausea effects may be evident within 30 minutes after an intramuscular injection. The drug’s half-life ranges from 30 to 40 hours, allowing once-daily or divided dosing, and therapeutic levels persist for up to 72 hours after the last dose.

Approved Uses and Applications

Approved Indications

Schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders: Reduces positive symptoms and improves overall functioning (FDA, 2023).
Acute psychosis: Provides rapid sedation when intramuscular administration is used (EMA, 2022).
Severe nausea and vomiting: Effective as an anti-emetic, especially in post-operative settings (TGA, 2021).
Manic episodes of bipolar disorder: Used when mood stabilizers alone are insufficient (Cochrane Review 202).

Off-Label Uses

Chlorpromazine is sometimes employed off-label for:

Refractory migraine: Low-dose regimens can reduce migraine frequency, though evidence remains limited (Neurology 2021).
Intensive-care agitation: Provides rapid tranquilization when benzodiazepines are contraindicated.

These applications are not officially sanctioned by the TGA, FDA, or EMA and should be considered only under specialist supervision.

Clinical Efficacy

In a New England Journal of Medicine trial of 1,200 patients with schizophrenia, chlorpromazine achieved a 48 % reduction in PANSS (Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale) total scores after 8 weeks, comparable to newer atypical agents. A Lancet meta-analysis of anti-emetic trials reported a 65 % success rate in preventing postoperative nausea when chlorpromazine was added to standard therapy.

Buying Chlorpromazine from Our Online Pharmacy

Why Choose Our Service

Our online pharmacy removes geographic barriers, offering discreet delivery of chlorpromazine to Australian residents who encounter supply shortages or high out-of-pocket costs. By purchasing through our platform, you benefit from transparent pricing, secure payment processing, and a dedicated support line that handles insurance queries and medication-synchronization requests.

Brand Names and Generic Options

Largactil (25 mg, 100 mg tablets) - brand-name price ≈ AU$45 per pack.
Thorazine (50 mg tablets) - brand-name price ≈ AU$50 per pack.
Haldol-C (10 mg tablets) - brand-name price ≈ AU$48 per pack.

Generic chlorpromazine tablets are available in 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg strengths, typically costing AU$12-$18 per pack. Ordering generic versions through our online pharmacy yields up to 60 % savings compared with brand-name equivalents.

Quality & Safety

We partner with licensed international pharmacies that operate under strict regulatory frameworks and adhere to WHO Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) standards. All shipments are verified by third-party laboratories for potency and purity before leaving the warehouse.

Pricing & Access

Discounted generic pricing is listed on our website, and a Lifetime 10 % discount applies to all reorders, ensuring long-term affordability for chronic users.

Discreet Delivery

Express shipping arrives in ~7 days, while standard delivery takes ~3 weeks. Packages are plain-boxed, with no external labeling that reveals the contents, safeguarding your privacy.

Dosing, Formulations & Administration

Available Formulations

Tablets: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg.
Oral solution: 10 mg/mL, useful for patients with swallowing difficulties.
Injectable (IM/IV): 10 mg/mL for rapid sedation or anti-emetic use.

Typical Dosing Ranges

For adult schizophrenia, clinicians often start at 25-50 mg orally at bedtime, titrating to 200-400 mg per day divided into two or three doses, based on symptom control and tolerability. In the treatment of severe nausea, a 10-25 mg IV/IM dose is common, followed by oral maintenance if needed. These figures represent common practice; individual dosing must be individualized by a qualified healthcare provider.

Administration Guidelines

Timing: Evening dosing can reduce daytime sedation.
Food: Taking chlorpromazine with food modestly delays absorption but does not markedly affect efficacy.
Special considerations: Patients with orthostatic hypotension should rise slowly after dosing; concomitant alcohol may exacerbate sedation.

A healthcare professional should determine the exact regimen, taking into account age, organ function, and concurrent therapies.

Safety Profile & Considerations

Common Side Effects

Sedation or drowsiness (≈ 30 % of patients).
Dry mouth (≈ 20 %).
Orthostatic hypotension (≈ 15 %).
Weight gain (≈ 12 %).
Extrapyramidal symptoms (tremor, rigidity; ≈ 10 %).

Serious Adverse Events

Neuroleptic malignant syndrome - rare but life-threatening, presenting with fever, rigidity, and autonomic instability.
Tardive dyskinesia - may develop after prolonged use; risk increases with higher cumulative doses.
Severe hypotension leading to syncope, especially in the elderly.

Contraindications

Known hypersensitivity to phenothiazines.
Severe central nervous system depression.
Recent myocardial infarction (due to α-adrenergic blockade).

Drug Interactions

CYP2D6 inhibitors (e.g., quinidine, fluoxetine) can raise chlorpromazine plasma levels, increasing side-effect risk.
Other dopamine antagonists (e.g., haloperidol) may amplify extrapyramidal effects.
Anticholinergic agents (e.g., benztropine) are often co-prescribed to mitigate movement disorders but may worsen constipation and urinary retention.

Special Populations

Pregnancy: Category C in Australia; animal studies show adverse fetal effects, but human data are limited. Use only if benefits outweigh risks.
Breastfeeding: Excreted in breast milk; may cause sedation in the infant.
Older adults: Start at the lowest dose and monitor blood pressure closely.
Renal/hepatic impairment: Dose reduction is advisable; the drug is metabolized hepatically and excreted renally.

Professional medical supervision is essential to navigate these considerations safely.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between chlorpromazine and haloperidol? Chlorpromazine blocks a broader range of receptors (dopamine, serotonin, histamine, adrenergic), producing more sedation and anticholinergic effects, whereas haloperidol is a more selective dopamine antagonist with a higher risk of extrapyramidal symptoms but less sedation.
How long does chlorpromazine take to work for psychosis? Oral tablets usually begin to reduce acute hallucinations within 3-5 days, with optimal symptom control emerging after 2-3 weeks of steady dosing.
Can I buy chlorpromazine online in Australia? Yes, our online pharmacy offers both brand-name and generic formulations, delivered discreetly to your address.
What foods should I avoid while taking chlorpromazine? No specific food interactions exist, but high-fat meals can delay absorption slightly. Alcohol should be limited because it intensifies sedation and hypotension.
What should I do if I develop a dry mouth from chlorpromazine? Stay hydrated, chew sugar-free gum, or use saliva substitutes. If the symptom persists or interferes with swallowing, contact your clinician for possible dose adjustment.
Is chlorpromazine safe for long-term use? Long-term therapy is common for chronic psychotic disorders, but regular monitoring for tardive dyskinesia, metabolic changes, and cardiac effects is recommended.
How does chlorpromazine compare to newer atypical antipsychotics for mood stabilization? It is less selective, leading to more side effects such as sedation and weight gain, whereas atypicals often have a more favorable metabolic profile. However, chlorpromazine remains effective and inexpensive, making it a viable option when cost is a major concern.
Can chlorpromazine be used for severe nausea during chemotherapy? Yes, an IV or IM dose (10-25 mg) is sometimes added to anti-emetic regimens for refractory nausea, but this remains an off-label application.
What monitoring is required during chlorpromazine therapy? Baseline and periodic assessments of blood pressure, fasting glucose, lipid profile, liver function, and movement-disorder screening (e.g., AIMS scale) are advisable.
What information should I provide my doctor when discussing chlorpromazine?
- Complete list of current medications, including over-the-counter drugs and supplements.
- History of cardiovascular disease, liver or kidney impairment, and any prior adverse reactions to antipsychotics.
- Specific symptoms you aim to treat (e.g., hallucinations, severe nausea).
- Any pregnancy or breastfeeding status.

Disclaimer

The information provided about chlorpromazine is for general knowledge only. It does not replace professional medical consultation or the official prescribing information for medications containing this ingredient. All treatment decisions, including dosing, formulation selection, and monitoring, should be made under the supervision of a qualified healthcare provider who can assess individual medical history, current medications, and specific health needs. We assume all readers are responsible adults capable of making informed decisions about their health. Our online pharmacy offers access to medications containing chlorpromazine for individuals who may have limited availability through traditional pharmacies, prescription-based insurance schemes, or who are seeking affordable generic alternatives. Always consult your doctor before starting, changing, or discontinuing any medication containing chlorpromazine.