Largactil: Drug Information

Generic name: Chlorpromazine hcl

Brand Name: Thorazine

Other names: Emetil, Megatil, Serectil, Sun Prazin

Drug Class: Phenothiazine, Antipsychotic

Uses of Largactil:

Largactil is an antipsychotic drug of low potency and is used to treat a host of emotional disorders and disturbances such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder and accompanying psychotic symptoms such as delusions, agitation, hallucinations, paranoia, mania, hypomania, anxiety and atypical psychosis. In addition to this, it is also used to treat chronic pain, nausea, vomiting and certain types of porphyria.

Dosage:

Largactil is available in the form of extended release capsules and oral concentrate. Take this medicine as directed by your doctor. Do not stop taking it abruptly without the consent of your doctor as it may worsen some of your present symptoms.

Warning and Precautions:

Largactil should not be taken if you are hypersensitive to it.

It should not be used concomitantly with other drugs that can cause sedation.

This medicine should not be given to patients diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, narrowangle glaucoma, cardiovascular disease and epilepsy.

This medicine should not be given to pregnant women as it may result in jaundice or movement disorders in the newborn baby.

Largactil can pass into the breast milk ad cause drowsiness and unusual muscle movements in the baby. Therefore, it is not recommended for nursing mothers.

Caution and close monitoring is required when giving this drug to the elderly as it may cause fainting, trembling of hands, muscular problems, confusion and memory impairment.

Interactions:

Intake of Largactil is known to accentuate the anticholinergic effects of antiparkinson medications and tricyclic antidepressants which may result in an anticholinergic crisis. If taken along with monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), it may result in an additive orthostatic hypertensive effect. Largactil is known to reverse the antihypertensive effect of guanethidine, methyldopa and clonidine. Do not take this medicine with sedatives, hypnotics, antihistamines, opiates and alcohol as it had the tendency to aggravate central nervous system depression.

Side effects of Largactil:

The most common side effects of the medication include tardive dyskinesia, involuntary movements, dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention, mydriasis, agitation, insomnia, depression, , convulsions, tachycardia, Postural hypotension, , ECG changes, allergic skin reaction, amenorrhea, gynaecomastia, weight gain, hyperglycemia and raised serum cholesterol.