R. V. Van Ommen, C. Brown
Jan 22, 1955
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Influential Citations
46
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Journal
Journal of the American Medical Association
Abstract
Chlorpromazine (Thorazine) (10-[γ-dimethylaminopropyl]-2-chlorophenothiazine hydrochloride) has become an extremely popular and widely used drug in all fields of medicine and surgery. The remarkable antiemetic effect of the drug has been observed experimentally 1 and clinically. 2 It is of great usefulness in controlling severe and otherwise intractable nausea and vomiting associated with disease, drugs, and radiation. It is particularly valuable in the control of nausea and vomiting, relief of pain, and alleviation of anxiety and apprehension in patients having terminal cancer. Chlorpromazine also appears to be a useful therapeutic agent in some mental and emotional disturbances. 3 EFFECTS Pharmacologically the drug primarily has a depressant effect on the central nervous system and secondarily has a milder antispasmodic, antihistaminic, and adrenalytic activity. It potentiates the effects of certain other drugs, particularly hypnotics, sedatives, narcotics, and anesthetics. The lesser side-effects noted with chlorpromazine therapy include drowsiness, postural hypotension, tachycardia, dryness of the mouth,