Chlorpromazine includes the following list of adverse effects (serious adverse effects appear in bold):Data on the exact incidence of the different adverse effects is greatly lacking so only rough approximations of adverse effect incidence is available
Very common
Sedation (cf. "Thorazine shuffle" – a shuffling gait due to sedation) Somnolence Extrapyramidal symptomsRefer to main text below for details on this adverse effect Weight gain Orthostatic hypotensionA drop in blood pressure that results from standing up Dry mouth Constipation
Common
ECG changesA disturbance in the electrical cycle of the heart Contact dermatitis Sensitivity to light Urticaria (hives) Maculopapular rash Petechia or edema HyperprolactinaemiaElevated serum levels of the lactation-related hormone prolactin. This in turn can result, in the short term, at least, in galactorrhoea (lactation that is unrelated to pregnancy or breastfeeding), gynaecomastia (swollen breast tissue), sexual dysfunction and amenorrhoea (the absence of the menstrual period in women). Whereas in the long-term hyperprolactinaemia can result in osteoporosis (brittle bones). Impaired thermoregulationAn impaired ability to regulate one's body temperature HyperglycaemiaHigh blood glucose (sugar) levels Other hypothalamic abnormalitiesThe hypothalamus of the brain regulates the release of a number of hormones as well as a few "housekeeping" functions such as tight control over body temperature Blurred vision Confusion Raised ANA titre Positive SLE cells MydriasisWidening (dilation) of the pupils Atonic colon SeizureRefer to the text below for details Agitation (restlessness) Stably and for life, alters natural processes in the biological systems of the mitochondria of the nervous system.A number of doctors and scientists, including psychiatrist and Narcological doctor Alexander Danilin and biochemist Albert Szent-Györgyi, claim that Chlorpromazine stably and for life alters natural processes in the biological systems of the mitochondria of the nervous system, and inhibits the efficiency of the electron transport chain. Inhibits the efficiency of the electron transport chain. Pain at the injection site Injection site abscess
Uncommon
MiosisConstriction of the pupils of the eyes Urinary retentionBeing unable to pass urine Nasal congestion Nausea Obstipation Arrhythmias Skin pigmentation GlycosuriaGlucose (sugar) in the urine due to there being too much glucose in the blood for the kidneys to reabsorb it all when filtrate goes through loop of henle in the nephrons of the kidney. HypoglycaemiaLow blood glucose (sugar) Paralytic ileus
Rare
AgranulocytosisBasically an exaggerated form of leucopaenia. It occurs when the white blood cell (WBC) count drops below 5% of the norm Haemolytic anaemiaWhere the number of red blood cells of the body die breakdown to an abnormal extent. These cells carry oxygen across the body from the lungs Aplastic anaemiaWhere the bone marrow stops adequately (in order to replenish the blood cells that die off every day) producing new blood cells A-V blockAn abnormality in the electrical activity of the heart which can lead to potentially fatal changes in heart rhythm Hypertensive crisesDangerously (in the short-term) high blood pressure Thrombocytopenic purpura Exfoliative dermatitis Toxic epidermal necrolysisA dangerous skin reaction Systemic lupus erythematosusAn autoimmune reaction Syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone (SIADH)A potentially fatal collection of symptoms (i.e. syndrome) that results from an abnormally excessive release of antidiuretic hormone (ADH). This in turn increases the reabsorption of Water retention Cholestatic jaundice Liver injury Neuroleptic malignant syndromeA potentially fatal condition that is caused by dopamine receptor-blocking agents such as antipsychotics. It develops over a period of days or weeks and is characterised by rigidity, tremor, diarrhoea, tachycardia, altered mental status (e.g. confusion, mania, hallucinations, etc.) and hyperthermia (high body temperature) Myasthenia gravisAn autoimmune condition in of which the body's defences attack the neuromuscular junction – the gap between muscle and nerve cells across which the nerves send messages to the muscle cells
Unknown frequency
LeucopaeniaAn abnormally low number of white blood cells in the blood. These cells defend the body from infections and hence this can heighten one's risk of infections EosinophiliaAn abnormally high number of eosinophils – the cells of the immune system that defends the body from parasites PancytopaeniaAn abnormally low number of all three major groups of blood cells including the red blood cells, white blood cells and platelets PriapismA painful and sustained (usually a few hours) erection PhotophobiaFear of light Corneal deposits Respiratory depressionA reduction in the normal homeostatic breathing reaction to reductions in plasmacarbon dioxide levels Ventricular tachycardia QT interval prolongation Atrial fibrilation HyperthermiaHigh body temperature HypothermiaLow body temperature GalactorrhoeaLactation that is unassociated with lactation or breastfeeding Breast enlargement in either sex False-positive pregnancy tests Allergic reaction Fits Cerebral oedemaThe accumulation of fluid in the tissues of the brain Urinary incontinence Coagulation defects Nightmares Abnormality of cerebrospinal fluid proteins DysphoriaBasically the opposite to euphoria Catatonic excitement Narrow angle glaucoma Optic atrophy Pigmentary retinopathy AmenorrhoeaThe absence of menstrual periods Infertility Tardive dyskinesiaAn often irreversible and sometimes even fatal movement disorder characterised by involuntary, repetitive and purposeless movements of the face, extremities, lips or tongue. Usually takes a number of years to develop but in some it can appear within months or less since the initiation of antipsychotic treatment
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References