MASSACHUSETTS GENERAL HOSPITAL

Department of Pharmacy

Department of Nursing

Critical Care

Generic Name: Chlorpromazine
Trade Name: Thorazine
Action: Phenothiazine Antiemetic

Antipsychotic

Indications: Psychosis

Intractable hiccups

Nausea and Vomiting

Administration Guidelines:
Usual Dose and Route: Psychosis: 25 - 50 mg IV slow intravenous infusion at a rate not to exceed 1 mg / minute every 1 to 4 hours as needed and titrated to patient response. Dilute each dose to a concentration less than or equal to 1 mg/ml using 0.9 % nacl only.

Nausea and Vomiting: 12.5 - 25mg IV q4

Hiccups: 10 - 25 mg IV slow intravenous infusion at a rate not to exceed 1 mg/minute three to four times daily. Dilute each dose to a concentration less than or equal to 1 mg/ml using 0.9 % NaCl only.

Special Considerations: - Hematologic parameters including CBC, WBC, platelets, and hematocrit should be monitored closely during extended therapy.

- Caution: will potentiate actions and side effects of narcotics and other cns depressants

Precautions and Side Effects: - Hypotension

- Respiratory depression

- Anticholinergic side effects:

* flushed skin, dry mouth

* mydriasis, blurred vision, delirium

- Extrapyramidal symptoms such as hyperreflexia, parkinson-like symptoms, motor restlessness

- Urinary retention

- Constipation

- Agranulocytosis, leukopenia

 

 

 

 

 

 

revised 09/03