Products
Levomepromazine is commercially available as film-coated tablets and oral solution (Nozinan). It has been approved in many countries since 1958.
Structure and properties
Levomepromazine (C19H24N2OS, Mr = 328.5 g/mol) is present in the drugs as levomepromazine hydrochloride or levomepromazine maleate. These are faint yellowish crystalline powders. Levomepromazine maleate is sparingly soluble in water and levomepromazine hydrochloride is readily soluble.
Effects
Levomepromazine (ATC N05AA02) has antipsychotic, adrenolytic, antihistamine, strong sedative, and antiemetic properties. The effects are due in part to antagonism at dopamine receptors. The half-life ranges from 15 to 30 hours.
Indications
For the treatment of psychiatric disorders:
- Psychomotor agitation states.
- Psychoses of the schizophrenic type.
- Chronic psychoses with hallucinations
- Manic excitation
- Aggressiveness in mental retardation
Dosage
According to the professional information. The dosage is determined individually insidiously. The peroral dosage forms are administered two to four times daily.
Contraindications
Numerous precautions must be observed during use. Full details can be found in the SmPC.
Adverse effects
The most common possible adverse effects include orthostatic hypotension, rapid pulse rate, ECG changes, cardiac arrhythmias, drowsiness, and dullness. Other common side effects include:
- Accommodative dysfunction, elevation of intraocular pressure.
- Urinary retention
- Dry mouth, constipation and other digestive disorders.
- Extrapyramidal disorders
Levomepromazine may prolong the QT interval and rarely cause life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias (torsade de pointes).
