Phenothiazine

Definition

Phenothiazines were the first type of antipsychotic medication introduced to the marketplace. This class of medications includes chlorpromazine (Thorazine), perphenazine (Trilafon), and fluphenazine (Prolixin) to name a few. These medications block dopamine receptors in particular brain areas. The blockade of these dopamine receptors is presumed to be the mechanism of action that reduces the hallucinations and delusions of schizophrenia. The success of these medications in reducing these so-called positive symptoms of schizophrenia had a major impact on mental health care worldwide. For example, the reduction of these disabling symptoms made it possible for individuals with chronic schizophrenia to leave institutions and be treated in outpatient settings.

Despite the major advance of the traditional antipsychotic medications, they are associated with adverse effects. Of particular importance are the neurologic adverse effects such as tremor, dyskinesia (abnormal movements),...