Chlorpromazine

The Basics

What is Chlorpromazine?

Used to treat the symptoms of schizophrenia.

Brand names for Chlorpromazine

Thorazine

How Chlorpromazine is classified

Antipsychotic Agents, Phenothiazines

Chlorpromazine During Pregnancy

Chlorpromazine pregnancy category

Category N/ANote that the FDA has deprecated the use of pregnancy categories, so for some medications, this information isn’t available. We still think it’s useful to list historical info, however, given what a common proxy this has been in the past.

What we know about taking Chlorpromazine while pregnant

Safety for the use of Thorazine (chlorpromazine) during pregnancy has not been established. Therefore, it is not recommended that the drug be given to pregnant patients except when, in the judgment of the physician, it is essential. The potential benefits should clearly outweigh possible hazards. There are reported instances of prolonged jaundice, extrapyramidal signs, hyperreflexia or hyporeflexia in newborn infants whose mothers received phenothiazines. Reproductive studies in rodents have demonstrated potential for embryotoxicity, increased neonatal mortality and nursing transfer of the drug. Tests in the offspring of the drug-treated rodents demonstrate decreased performance. The possibility of permanent neurological damage cannot be excluded.

Taking Chlorpromazine While Breastfeeding

What are recommendations for lactation if you're taking Chlorpromazine?

Chlorpromazine is detectable in the milk of some mothers during therapy, but levels appear not to correlate well with the maternal dose or serum level. Some breastfed infants become drowsy during maternal chlorpromazine therapy. Very limited long-term follow-up data indicate no adverse developmental effects when the drug is used alone. However, using it in combination with haloperidol can negatively affect development. Monitor the infant for excessive drowsiness during breastfeeding and for developmental milestones, especially if other antipsychotics are used concurrently.

Maternal / infant drug levels

Chlorpromazine is detectable in the milk of some mothers during therapy, but levels appear not to correlate well with the maternal dose or serum level. Some breastfed infants become drowsy during maternal chlorpromazine therapy. Very limited long-term follow-up data indicate no adverse developmental effects when the drug is used alone. However, using it in combination with haloperidol can negatively affect development. Monitor the infant for excessive drowsiness during breastfeeding and for developmental milestones, especially if other antipsychotics are used concurrently.

Possible effects of Chlorpromazine on milk supply

Phenothiazines cause galactorrhea in 26 to 40% of female patients.[13][14] Hyperprolactinemia appears to be the cause of the galactorrhea.[15][16][17] The hyperprolactinemia is caused by the drug’s dopamine-blocking action in the tuberoinfundibular pathway.[18]

Chlorpromazine has been used to enhance milk production,[8][19] although this use has been supplanted by the use of less sedating drugs such as metoclopramide and domperidone.[20]

Possible alternatives to Chlorpromazine

Haloperidol, Olanzapine, Risperidone.