zuclopenthixol decanoate

Zunorma Max (zuclopenthixol decanoate) is a long-acting depot formulation of the typical antipsychotic zuclopenthixol, originally developed by Lundbeck and marketed by The Centaur Company. It is indicated for the maintenance treatment of schizophrenia, chronic psychoses, and acute manic episodes. As a thioxanthene derivative, zuclopenthixol decanoate acts primarily as an antagonist at dopamine D1 and D2 receptors in the brain, thereby reducing excessive dopaminergic transmission associated with psychotic symptoms. It also exhibits high affinity for alpha-1 adrenergic and 5-HT2 receptors. Administered as a deep intramuscular injection, the decanoate ester is slowly released from the muscle depot and hydrolyzed into active zuclopenthixol, providing sustained therapeutic levels over several weeks.

Brand names

Zunorma Max

Other names

cis(Z)-clopenthixol decanoatecis-clopenthixol decanoatezuclopenthixol decanoatezuclopentixol decanoate