see also: anti-psychotic medications, migraine

• a phenothiazine medication used as a neuroleptic major tranquilliser in acute psychotic states as well as one of the most effective treatments of acute migraine headaches.
• half life ~ 30hrs, eliminated by the liver.
• main adverse effects are:
  • orthostatic hypotension
  • lowered seizure threshold
  • dystonic reactions
  • drowsiness
  • rarely, neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• see phenothiazines for its main actions, adverse effects and details relating to its class effects.
• see also phenothiazine overdose

• see Mx of acute migraine

• give 300-500ml crystalloid fluid (eg. NSaline) first to reduce risk of hypotension
• dilute 50mg chlorpromazine to 20mls using NSaline then administer 12.5mg (=5mls) over 1-5 minutes
• repeat dose every 20-30min if needed, up to max. of 37.5mg.

• add 25mg chloropromazine (1ml of the 50mg/2ml ampoule) to 1L NSaline and infuse over 30-60minutes
• repeat with HALF of this dose if needed in 20-30min.