In the pharmaceutical industry, Chlorpromazine Hydrochloride 25 mg is the prototypical first-generation (typical) antipsychotic of the phenothiazine class. As a pharmacist, I characterize Chlorpromazine as a “low-potency” antipsychotic that is highly versatile due to its multi-receptor blocking profile, making it useful far beyond psychiatry.
Primary Clinical Uses
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Psychotic Disorders: Management of schizophrenia and the manic phase of bipolar disorder, particularly for controlling agitation and aggressive behavior.
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Severe Nausea and Vomiting: Used as a potent antiemetic, especially for intractable nausea caused by advanced illness or certain medications.
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Intractable Hiccups: It is one of the few medications specifically indicated for the treatment of hiccups that have persisted for days or weeks.
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Acute Intermittent Porphyria: Used as part of the clinical management of this rare metabolic disorder.
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Pre-operative Sedation: Occasionally used to reduce anxiety and induce sedation before surgery.
Mechanism of Action
Chlorpromazine is a “dirty drug” in pharmacological terms—meaning it acts on a wide variety of receptors, which explains its diverse clinical effects:
Dopamine Antagonism: It blocks receptors in the mesolimbic and medullary chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ). By inhibiting dopamine overactivity, it reduces “positive” symptoms of psychosis and provides antiemetic effects.
H1-Receptor Blockade: Its action on histamine receptors leads to significant sedation, useful for acute agitation.
Alpha-Adrenergic Blockade: This can lead to cardiovascular effects like orthostatic hypotension.
Muscarinic Blockade: Its anticholinergic effects can cause dry mouth and blurred vision.
The Manufacturer’s Perspective: Formulation & Export
From a manufacturing and global trade standpoint, Chlorpromazine 25 mg is a specialized CNS (Central Nervous System) product:
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Photosensitivity Management: Chlorpromazine API is highly sensitive to light. As a WHO-GMP manufacturer, we utilize amber-colored glass bottles or opaque blister packaging to ensure chemical stability.
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Dose Uniformity: Because 25 mg is a relatively low dose for this molecule, we utilize validated wet granulation and blending processes to ensure absolute content uniformity across every batch.
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Global Export Stability: It remains a staple for psychiatric hospitals and government tenders in the CIS, Africa, and Southeast Asia. We provide the CTD/eCTD Dossiers and stability data required for international registration.
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Regulatory Standards: We ensure all batches comply with BP/USP/IP monographs, specifically monitoring for degradation products like Chlorpromazine Sulfoxide.