CHLORPROMAZINE
Brand Name: Laractyl, Zycloran
Generic Name: Chlorpromazine
General Action:
Conventional antipsychotics
Drug-Drug Interaction:
Potentiation of anticholinergic
effects of antiparkinson agents and
TCAs may lead to an
anticholinergic crisis. Additive
orthostatic hypotensive effect in
combination with MAOIs.
Reverses antihypertensive effect of
guanethidine, methyldopa and
clonidine.
Brand Name: Fluanxol Depot
Generic Name: Flupenthixol
General Action:
Antipsychotic agent with anxiolytic
and mild sedative actions.
Drug-Drug Interaction:
Anticholinergics (such as atropine,
scopolamine, antispasmodics such as
belladonna alkaloids), dopamine
agonists (such as cabergoline,
levodopa, pergolide)
certain drugs for high blood pressure
(methyldopa, guanethidine,
guanadrel, hydralazine), lithium.
Mechanism of Action: Chlorpromazine is a neuroleptic that acts by blocking
the postsynaptic dopamine receptor in the mesolimbic dopaminergic system
and inhibits the release of hypothalamic and hypophyseal hormones. It has
antiemetic, serotonin-blocking, and weak antihistaminic properties and slight
ganglion-blocking activity.
Side Effects:
Dizziness, feeling unsteady, or having trouble keeping your balance, blank
facial expression, shuffling walk, restlessness, agitation, nervousness, unusual,
slowed, or uncontrollable movements of any part of the body, difficulty falling
asleep or staying asleep, increased appetite, weight gain, breast milk
production, breast enlargement, missed menstrual periods, decreased sexual
ability, changes in skin color, dry mouth, stuffed nose, difficulty urinating,
widening or narrowing of the pupils (black circles in the middle of the eyes).
Time best given:
Chlorpromazine is usually taken two to four times a day. When
chlorpromazine is used to control nausea and vomiting, it is usually taken
every 4-6 hours as needed. When chlorpromazine is used to relieve
nervousness before surgery, it is usually taken 2-3 hours before surgery.
FLUPENTIXOL
Mechanism of Action: Flupentixol, a thioxanthene derivative
antipsychotic agent, inhibits the postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the
CNS which results in the blockage of dopamine-mediated effects.
Side Effects:
Feeling sleepy, feeling restless, movement problems, dry mouth,
feeling dizzy or tired, blurred vision, headache, unusual or
uncontrollable muscle movements, feeling shaky, increased appetite
and weight, difficulty sleeping, feeling agitated or confused, mood
changes (such as feeling depressed), reduced interest in sex, loss of
concentration, feeling short of breath, producing more saliva than
usual, fast heartbeats, stomach upset, feeling sweaty, muscle aches, and
difficulty passing urine.
Time best given:
It is better to take your doses during the day before 4 pm, rather than in
the evening.

Brand Name: Flenazine, Modecate,
Sydepres
Generic Name: Flupenthixol
General Action:
First generation antipsychotic medication
used to treat schizophrenia and psychotic
symptoms such as hallucinations,
delusions, and hostility
Drug-Drug Interaction:
May increase risk of QT interval
prolongation with class IA (e.g. quinidine,
disopyramide, procainamide). May
potentiate CNS depressant effects of
opioids, antihistamines, barbiturates,
sedatives, hypnotics, or analgesics.
Antagonise the effects of
sympathomimetic agents (e.g. epinephrine)
and adrenergic-blocking agents (e.g.
guanethidine, clonidine). May impair the
effects of anti-parkinsonian agents (e.g.
levodopa) and anticonvulsant agents. May
decrease the metabolism of TCAs.
Brand Name: Haldol, Seredol, Psyqure,
Generic Name: Haloperidol
General Action:
Antipsychotic, antivertigo
Drug-Drug Interaction:
Altered concentration of haloperidol with
CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 inhibitors and
inducers. May increase plasma
concentration of tricyclic antidepressant.
FLUPHENAZINE
Mechanism of Action: Fluphenazine, a piperazine phenothiazine 1st
generation antipsychotic, non-selectively blocks the postsynaptic
mesolimbic dopamine D2 receptors in the brain. It has limited activity on
histaminergic, muscarinic, and α receptors.
Side Effects:
Upset stomach, weakness or tiredness, excitement or anxiety, insomnia,
nightmares, dry mouth, skin more sensitive to sunlight than usual
changes in appetite or weight
Time best given:
It is usually taken two or three times a day and may be taken with or
without food.
HALOPERIDOL
Mechanism of Action: Haloperidol is a butyrophenone. It
nonselectively inhibits postsynaptic dopaminergic D2 receptors in the
brain.
Side Effects:
Difficulty with speaking or swallowing, inability to move the eyes, loss
of balance control, mask-like face, muscle spasms, especially of the neck
and back, restlessness or need to keep moving (severe), shuffling walk,
stiffness of the arms and legs, trembling and shaking of the fingers and
hands, twisting movements of the body, weakness of the arms and legs,
uncontrolled chewing movements.
Time best given:
Haloperidol tablets and solution are usually taken 1 or 2 times per day
with or without food.
 PERICYAZINE
Mechanism of Action: Periciazine is a phenothiazine with a piperidine
Brand Name: Neulactil side chain which produces a more pronounced sedative action and weak
antipsychotic properties. It blocks subcortical dopamine receptors in the
Generic Name: Periciazine brain and decreases the amount of hypothalamic and hypophyseal
hormones.
General Action: Side Effects:
Antipsychotic Feeling dizzy (especially when standing up) or sleepy, Dry mouth,
Feeling shaky or restless, unusual or uncontrollable muscle movements,
Drug-Drug Interaction:
Difficulty sleeping, feeling agitated, stuffy nose, infections, feeling short
Increased risk of arrhythmias with QT
of breath, rashes, changes to your heartbeat, erectile dysfunction, breast
prolonging drugs (e.g. antiarrhythmics,
enlargement, production of breast milk, menstrual problems. Your skin
antidepressants, other antipsychotics).
may become more sensitive to sunlight than normal
Enhanced therapeutic effect of
antihypertensive agents (e.g. α- Time best given:
adrenoceptor blocking agents). Enhanced You can take pericyazine either before or after meals.
CNS depressant effect with barbiturates,
benzodiazepines, and other sedatives.
Diminished therapeutic efficacy of
levodopa, clonidine, guanethidine, and
adrenaline. Increased risk of
agranulocytosis with carbamazepine. May
increase plasma concentration of
amitriptyline. Decreased absorption with
antacids, anti-Parkinson drugs, or lithium.
May increase or decrease the plasma
concentrations of propranolol or
phenobarbital.

Brand Name: Nozinan
Generic Name: Levomepromazine
General Action:
Antipsychotic, anti-emetic, antihistamine
and anti-adrenaline activity and exhibits a
strong sedative effect
Drug-Drug Interaction:
Altered concentration of haloperidol with
CYP3A4 and CYP2D6 inhibitors and
inducers. May increase plasma
concentration of tricyclic antidepressant.
LEVOMEPROMAZINE
Mechanism of Action: Haloperidol is a butyrophenone. It
nonselectively inhibits postsynaptic dopaminergic D2 receptors in the
brain.
Side Effects:
Difficulty with speaking or swallowing, inability to move the eyes, loss
of balance control, mask-like face, muscle spasms, especially of the neck
and back, restlessness or need to keep moving (severe), shuffling walk,
stiffness of the arms and legs, trembling and shaking of the fingers and
hands, twisting movements of the body, weakness of the arms and legs,
uncontrolled chewing movements.
Time best given:
Haloperidol tablets and solution are usually taken 1 or 2 times per day
with or without food.