Trifluoperazine is a neuroleptic drug. Due to its chemical and pharmacological properties, it is classified as a member of the phenothiazine class of drugs. In Germany, Austria and Switzerland, however, trifluoperazine is less common. It is not on the regular drug market here.
What is trifluoperazine?
Trifluoperazine belongs to a class of drugs called neuroleptics. The drug is used in human medicine for the treatment of numerous mental disorders. In this context, treatment is carried out by a psychiatrist. Trifluoperazine is hardly used in German-speaking countries. The only preparation to date that contains trifluoperazine as the main active ingredient is Jatroneural. However, this is not available on the regular pharmaceutical market in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. From a chemical point of view, trifluoperazine is a piperazine-substituted derivative of phenothiazine. The effects are described in the literature as antiemetic. This means that the drug can suppress nausea and emesis, which is typical for representatives of its drug class. In addition to psychiatric use, it is therefore also conceivable to take the drug for the treatment of nausea. In this case, however, the dosage will have to be adjusted accordingly. In addition to the antiemetic effect, there are also sedative and antiadrenergic effects. Antiadrenergic is used to describe processes whose action is directed against the action of adrenaline.
Pharmacologic effects on the body and organs
Trifluoperazine is chemically a derivative of phenothiazine. Therefore, the mechanism of action of the neuroleptic is essentially similar to that of phenothiazine. However, exact details remain unclear. The central thiazine ring of trifluoperazine contains both nitrogen and sulfur. In addition, a benzene ring is present. Due to its open side chain at R2, the drug belongs to the chlorpromazine types with rather mild antipsychotic effects. Trifluoperazine can therefore be described as a low-potency or medium-potency neuroleptic. According to the findings of a study by the Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, trifluoperazine is able to bind to the protein calmodulin. This can prevent the blockage of channels, which could make its use in cancer treatment possible. However, this mode of use has not yet found its way into everyday treatment.
Medical application and use for treatment and prevention.
The antipsychotic effects of trifluoperazine are described as mild to moderate. However, the drug Jatroneural is among the strong-acting neuroleptics. An indication exists at low dosage according to current treatment guidelines for states of agitation, anxiety, and tension. Furthermore, trifluoperazine is used for the treatment of sleep disorders, psychoses, depression and schizophrenia. In these cases, the dose administered should be high. Regular intake is also particularly important. Due to the antiemetic effects of trifluoperazine, it is also conceivable to take it to prevent nausea. For this purpose, the dosage should be kept particularly low. Trifluoperazine is usually taken orally in the form of film-coated tablets, regardless of the specific indication. In exceptional cases, administration by injection is also possible.
Risks and side effects
Taking trifluoperazine may cause undesirable side effects. However, this is not mandatory. However, the safety of application is guaranteed. It is imperative to refrain from taking the drug if an allergy to phenothiazines is known. Otherwise, incalculable risks arise. The most common side effects of trifluoperazine include agitation, tardive or tardive dyskinesia, a general feeling of restlessness or malaise, impoverishment of feelings, drive disorders, or similar psychological changes. In addition, there is a risk of dependence. Organic side effects include damage to the kidneys or liver. Therefore, in people with damage to these organs, use is usually contraindicated. After an overdose of trifluoperazine, the following symptoms may also occur: Coma, convulsions, tremors, hallucinations, visual disturbances, or psychomotor agitation. In addition, the occurrence of anticholinergic effects is in the range of possible in case of overdose.
