Compare chlorpromazine vs. Clozaril
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Stabilizes your mood.
Thorazine (chlorpromazine) has more side effects than other medicines like it. It is most useful during psychotic episodes because it slows you down quickly.
Helps control your thoughts and actions.
Clozaril (clozapine) treats schizophrenia when other drugs haven't worked, but you'll have to get regular blood work done because it can have very serious side effects.
Upsides
- Acts fast to slow you down during a psychotic episode.
- Can also be used for nausea or migraines.
- Safe for use in children as young as 6 months.
- Comes in a sugar-coated pill for easy administration.
- Studies show that Clozaril (clozapine) effectively treats schizophrenia when other medications have failed. Clozaril (clozapine) also reduces risk of suicidal behavior.
- Has the lowest risk of causing movement problems when compared to other antipsychotic medicines.
- Clozaril (clozapine) is available as a normal tablet and as a mint-flavored tablet that dissolves on the tongue without water.
- Safer than other similar medicines during pregnancy.
- Available as a generic, which is cheaper.
Downsides
- Has more side effects than other medicines like it.
- Can affect how your other medicines work.
- Makes you more sensitive to the sun.
- Can make you dizzy or lightheaded, especially when injected.
- Cannot be stopped right away.
- You need to get blood work done every time you get a prescription filled for Clozaril (clozapine). Once it is ready at the pharmacy, you need to pick it up within 7 days.
- You can only get Clozaril (clozapine) at certain pharmacies that are registered to provide it.
- You need to limit the amount of alcohol you drink while taking Clozaril (clozapine).
- Clozaril (clozapine) can cause high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and weight gain.
- May not be optimal for someone with a history of seizures.
Used for
- Acute intermittent porphyria
- Preoperative anxiety
- Bipolar disorder
- Hiccups
- Nausea and vomiting
- Severe behavioral problems
- Schizophrenia
- Tetanus
- Schizophrenia
- Suicidal behavior in schizophrenia
- Psychosis in Parkinson's disease
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Injection
- Pill
- Dissolving tablet
- Liquid
Price
Lowest price
$37.14
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$799.18
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Side effects
The Thorazine (chlorpromazine) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
31possible side effects
- Drowsiness/sedation39%
- Salivation31%
- Fast heartbeat25%
- Dizziness/vertigo19%
- Constipation14%
- Low blood pressure9%
- Headache7%
- Tremor6%
- Fainting6%
- Sweating6%
- Dry mouth6%
- Nausea5%
- Vision problems5%
- Fever5%
- Disturbed sleep/nightmares4%
- Restlessness4%
- Loss of muscle movement4%
- Agitation4%
- High blood pressure4%
- Stomach discomfort/heartburn4%
- Weight gain4%
- Seizures (convulsions)3%
- Rigidity3%
- Confusion3%
- Nausea/vomiting3%
- Low white blood cells3%
- Fatigue2%
- Trouble sleeping2%
- Diarrhea2%
- Problems urinating2%
- Rash2%
Risks and risk factors
- Increased risk of death
- People over 65 with dementia and psychosis
- Difficulty controlling movements
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
- Taking antipsychotic medications
- Breathing problems
- Asthma
- COPD
- Acute respiratory infections
- Heat stroke and dehydration
- Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH)
- Urinary retention
- Decreased movement in the intestines
- Low white blood cells
- Low blood pressure, slow heartbeat, and fainting
- Dehydration
- Taking blood pressure medications
- Heart failure
- Seizures
- Seizure disorder
- Alcohol abuse
- Heart problems
- History of heart problems
- Increased risk of death in elderly with dementia
- Over 65 with dementia
- High blood sugar, high cholesterol, and weight gain