Trifluoperazine

Course Summary

Trifluoperazine is a phenothiazine and well-known typical antipsychotic drug used to treat patients diagnosed with generalized non-psychotic anxiety and schizophrenia and the prevention of relapse. It has been used successfully for many years as an adjunct for manic, impulsive, and aggressive behaviors, such as with autistic individuals. There are drug side effects that occur with typical antipsychotic drugs, especially those affecting the extrapyramidal motor system. The extrapyramidal reactions in people taking phenothiazines is believed to be due to blockade of central dopaminergic receptors affecting motor function, and generally occur at higher doses. The extrapyramidal reactions caused by phenothiazines have been predominantly described as dystonic reactions, motor restlessness and parkinsonian type symptoms. While the drug’s common use has declined in the United States, trifluoperazine is still a preferred agent in some jurisdictions because of its low cost and efficacy when used in combination with other psychotropic medication.