chlorpromazine

Traductions

• anglais

  Date : 1991

  Définition

  A major tranquilizer chemically derived from phenothiazine, chlorpromazine is a dimethylaminopropyl compound. Its derivatives include trifluoperazine and perphenazine. Sold under the name "Thorazine" and used in treating severe psychoses, it acts to reduce the patient's fear and hostility, thus preventing acts of violence. It also reduces hallucinations and delusions, or at least the patient's apprehension arising from them. Chlorpromazine is by the same action effective in reversing on LSD-induced panic psychosis by antagonizing the drug's effects, and enabling the subject to return to a normal state of consciousness.

  Note :

  In 1967 the self-administration of chlorpromazine, with which most LSD users are familiar, took an untoward turn. While experimenting with the powerful new hallucinogen STP, which induces a more profound and longer-lasting experience than LSD, several people took chlorpromazine, evidently in an attempt to reverse an unfavorable experience. But instead of reversing STP, it potentiates its effect with possibly fatal results. This is because STP is believed to be similar to atropine, to which chlorpromazine is also similar in chemical structure. Chlorpromazine has a central sedative effect but, unlike the barbiturates, large doses do not induce coma or anesthesia. Psychic dependence and physical dependence do not seem to occur.

  Terme :

  1. chlorpromazine