chlorprothixene

Chlorprothixene is a typical antipsychotic drug of the thioxanthene (tricyclic) class. It was first introduced in 1959 and remains in use, particularly in Europe and parts of Asia. Chlorprothixene acts primarily as an antagonist at multiple neurotransmitter receptors, including dopamine receptor D1, dopamine receptor D2, dopamine receptor D3; serotonin 5-HT2A receptor; histamine H1 receptor; muscarinic acetylcholine receptor; and alpha1 adrenergic receptor. Its primary mechanism involves blocking postsynaptic mesolimbic dopaminergic receptors in the brain, which contributes to its antipsychotic effects[1][3][6]. The drug also has sedative, anxiolytic, antiemetic, and moderate anticholinergic properties. Chlorprothixene is mainly indicated for the treatment of psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and acute mania but is also used off-label for anxiety states (including pre- and postoperative anxiety), insomnia, severe nausea/emesis (in hospitalized patients), agitation due to SSRI use or withdrawal from alcohol/opioids[5][6]. It has a lower risk of extrapyramidal side effects compared to some other first-generation antipsychotics but can cause metabolic disturbances due to its receptor profile[7].

Brand names

Truxal

Other names

chlorprothixenechlorprothixinechlorprotixenchlorprotixenechlorprotixinechlothixenalpha-chlorprothixene