Thiethylperazine: Effects, Uses & Risks

Thiethylperazine is a medicinal agent that belongs to the phenothiazines. Thiethylperazine is an antiemetic, making it suitable for the drug treatment of vomiting, nausea, and dizzy spells. In addition, thiethylperazine is also used as an antipsychotic. Thiethylperazine has an antagonistic effect on the receptors of the neurological neurotransmitter dopamine.

What is thiethylperazine?

Synonymous names for the active ingredient thiethylperazine are thiethylperazine dihydrogen maleate and thiethylperazinum. The active ingredient is currently no longer available on the pharmaceutical market in numerous countries, for example in Switzerland. In principle, thiethylperazine is used primarily in the form of suppositories, dragées and injection solutions. It is available under the trade name Torecan from Novartis. Thiethylperazine is present at room temperature in the form of a crystalline powder. The color of the substance ranges from pure white to a light yellow. The substance thiethylperazine is virtually insoluble in water, but dissolves relatively easily in ethanol. Under the influence of light, thiethylperazine shows a reddish coloration. The drug thiethylperazine is an antiemetic and is thus suitable for the treatment of nausea and vomiting as well as attacks of dizziness. The triggers of the complaints play a subordinate role, since thiethylperazine relieves the symptoms regardless of their cause. In addition, the active ingredient can be used as an antipsychotic, since drugs from the phenothiazine category are well suited for the treatment of psychotic symptoms. In this context, physicians primarily take advantage of the fact that thiethylperazine has an antagonistic effect on the dopamine receptors. Patients take the drug one to three times a day in the form of dragées. The most common adverse side effects of thiethylperazine consist of drowsiness, a dry feeling in the mouth, and drowsiness. Pharmaceutical manufacturers use the substance thiethylperazine maleate in the production of the drugs. In the chemical structural formula, the substance has a piperazine side chain.

Pharmacological effects on the body and organs

Thiethylperazine acts as a typical antiemetic on human organism. In addition, thiethylperazine exerts an antipsychotic effect. The mechanisms of action of thiethylperazine arise from the antagonism that the substance exerts on the receptors of the neurotransmitter dopamine. In addition, thiethylperazine affects the receptors of other neurological transmitters. The half-life of the drug thiethylperazine after ingestion is approximately twelve hours. Basically, the drug thiethylperazine intensifies the effects of various other substances, which must be urgently considered before taking it. For example, thiethylperazine increases the effects of beta-blockers, sleep-inducing drugs, alcohol and antihypertensives. The frequency of taking thiethylperazine depends primarily on the dosage form and the patient’s age. For example, adults usually receive the drug thiethylperazine in a dose of ten milligrams and take one to three dragées a day. Rectal administration of thiethylperazine in suppository form is also possible. The duration of treatment is based on the patient’s particular medical condition and averages between two and four weeks for thiethylperazine.

Medical use and use for treatment and prevention.

Thiethylperazine is used as both an antiemetic and an antipsychotic. Physicians prescribe the active ingredient thiethylperazine in the form of suppositories or dragées, depending on the symptoms and underlying disease. It is also possible to administer the drug by injection. At present, however, thiethylperazine has largely disappeared from the market, for which low demand in particular is responsible. As an antiemetic, thiethylperazine is particularly suitable for relieving vomiting and nausea after chemotherapy and radiotherapy of malignant neoplasms. Thiethylperazine is also used after surgery. Treatment usually extends over a period of two to four weeks. In principle, the enclosed specialist information should be observed when dosing and taking the active substance.

Risks and side effects

Before and during the intake of drugs containing thiethylperazine, the potential side effects as well as interactions and contraindications must be taken into account.Possible undesirable side effects include dizzy spells, headache, tachycardia and seizures. In addition, patients sometimes suffer from increased sensitivity to light, extrapyramidal abnormalities, peripheral edema, and dry mouth after taking thiethylperazine. Numerous people also report an increased need for sleep during therapy with thiethylperazine. In some cases, orthostatic hypotension, renal and hepatic disorders, and cholestatic hepatitis also develop. Some individuals suffer allergies or develop agranulocytosis after taking thiethylperazine. In rare cases, patients develop malignant neuroleptic syndrome as a result of thiethylperazine administration. To avoid complications, various contraindications exist that temporarily contraindicate the administration of thiethylperazine. Hypersensitivity to thiethylperazine, for example, is in principle an argument against taking the drug. Problems with the kidneys and liver, depression of the central nervous system, and heart disease also speak against the administration of thiethylperazine. In addition, therapy with thiethylperazine is not possible in the case of prostate enlargement and Parkinson’s disease, as otherwise serious complications may arise. Taking the drug during pregnancy is also generally ruled out. In addition, thiethylperazine is not suitable for breastfeeding women and children under 15 years of age. Interactions occur primarily with drugs that have a central depressant effect.