Chlorprothixene

Chlorprothixene

File:Chlorprothixene.png
Clinical data
Pregnancy category	?
Routes of administration	oral (tablets, syrup, concentrate), intramuscular (seldom)
ATC code	N05AF03 (WHO)
Legal status
Legal status	In general: ℞ (Prescription only)
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	incomplete
Metabolism	hepatic
Elimination half-life	8 to 12 hours
Excretion	feces and urine
Identifiers
IUPAC name 3-(2-chlorothioxanthen-9-ylidene)-N, N-dimethyl-propan-1-amine
CAS Number	113-59-7
PubChem CID	2729
DrugBank	APRD00718
E number	{{#property:P628}}
ECHA InfoCard	{{#property:P2566}}
Chemical and physical data
Formula	C18H18ClNS
Molar mass	315.861 g/mol

Chlorprothixene is a typical antipsychotic drug of the thioxanthene class. It has a low antipsychotic potency (half to 2/3 of chlorpromazine). Its principal indications are the treatment of psychotic disorders (e.g. schizophrenia) and of acute mania occurring as part of bipolar disorders.

The drug was introduced 1959 to the market on a global scale and is hence a first generation antipsychotic with 45+ years of clinical experience. It is still today of clinical and also some research interest.

Mechanisms of action

Chlorprothixene exerts strong blocking effects at the following postsynaptic receptors:

• 5-HT2 : anxiolysis, antipsychotic effects
• D1, D2, D3 : antipsychotic effects
• H1 : sedation, weight gain
• muscarinic : anticholinergic side effects, extrapyramidal side effects attenuated
• Alpha1 : hypotension, tachycardia

Uses

Other uses are pre- and postoperative states with anxiety and insomnia, severe nausea / emesis (in hospitalized patients), the amelioration of anxiety and agitation due to use of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors for depression and, off-label, the amelioration of alcohol and opioid withdrawal. It may also be used cautiously to treat nonpsychotic irritability, aggression, and insomnia in pediatric patients.

An intrinsic antidepressant effect of chlorprothixene has been discussed, but not proven yet. Likewise, it is unclear, if chlorprothixene has genuine (intrinsic) analgesic effects. However, chlorprothixene can be used as comedication in severe chronic pain. Also, like most antipsychotics, chlorprothixene has antiemetic effects.

Side effects

Chlorprothixene has a strong sedative activity with a high incidence of anticholinergic side effects. The types of side effects encountered (dry mouth, massive hypotension and tachycardia, hyperhidrosis, substantial weight gain etc.) normally do not allow a full effective dose for the remission of psychotic disorders to be given. So cotreatment with another, more potent, antipsychotic agent is needed.

Chlorprothixene is structurally related to chlorpromazine, with which it shares in principal all side effects. Allergic side effects and liver damage seem to appear with an appreciable lower frequency. The elderly are particularly sensitive to anticholinergic side effects of chlorprothixene (precipitation of narrow angle glaucoma, severe obstipation, difficulties in urinating, confusional and delirant states). In patients >60 years the doses should be particularly low.

Early and late extrapyramidal side effects may occur but have been noted with a low frequency (one study with a great number of participants has delivered a total number of only 1%).

Dosage

In any case, the initial doses of chlorprothixene should be as low as possible (e.g. 30 mg at bedtime, 15 mg morning dose) and be increased gradually. Patients receiving 90 mg daily (and more) of the drug should be hospitalized, particularly during the initial phase of treatment. The theoretical maximum is 800 mg daily which can usually not be given due to side effects as stated above. Elderly and pediatric patients should be treated with particular low initial doses. Dose increments should be done slowly.

On the right table are some guidelines given for daily dosages as follows (dependent on the clinical situation). Some reflect extended clinical experience from decades of usage.

schizophrenia	100 mg to 200 mg
exogenic psychosis (e.g. drug psychosis)	100 mg to 200 mg
acute mania	45 mg to 150 mg
agitated depressions	45 mg to 150 mg
alcohol- and drug-withdrawal	50 mg to 150 mg
non-psychotic agitation and anxiety	30 mg to 150 mg
acute reactive state to stress/trauma	30 mg to 100 mg
psychoneurotic states	30 mg to 100 mg
insomnia	15 mg to 100 mg
cotreatment of severe chronic pain	30 mg daily initial, increasing to 60 or 90 mg (max. 120 mg)

If chlorprothixene is to be withdrawn, it should not be stopped abruptly, but the dose should be decreased steadily.

Additional remarks

Chlorprothixene may be particularly useful in the clinical setting, when the patient is under strict control. Blood pressure (at least daily), EKG and standard laboratory (blood cell counts, liver and kidney tests) should be monitored/assessed in close intervals during therapy as good clinical practice dictates.

Important interactions

Chlorprothixene may increase the plasma-level of concomitantly given lithium. In order to avoid lithium intoxication, lithium plasma levels should be monitored closely.

If chlorprothixene is given concomitantly with opioids, the opioid dose should be reduced (by approx. 50%), because chlorprothixene amplifies the therapeutic actions and side effects of opioids considerably.

Avoid the concomitant use of chlorprothixene and tramadol (Ultram®). Massive seizures may be encountered with this combination.

Consider additive sedative effects and confusional states to emerge, if chlorprothixene is given with benzodiazepines or barbiturates. Choose particular low doses of these drugs.

Exert particular caution in combining chlorprothixene with other anticholinergic drugs (tricyclic antidepressants and antiparkinsonian agents): Particularly the elderly may develop delirium, high fever, severe obstipation, even ileus and glaucoma.

Trade names

Chlorprothixene is marketed under the brand names Taractan® and Truxal®.

See also

• Typical antipsychotic
• Thioxanthene

References

• PubChem Substance Summary: Chlorprothixene National Center for Biotechnology Information.
• Psychopharmakotherapie in Klinik und Praxis (German), Schattauer Verlag, 1998. ISBN 3-7945-1842-X
• Truxal Prescribing Information (PDF) Lundbeck Norge.