Comparative Pharmacology
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CHLORPROMAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE versus MELLARIL.
Peer-Reviewed Evidence
Head-to-head clinical analysis: CHLORPROMAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE versus MELLARIL.
CHLORPROMAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE vs MELLARIL
Comparing the clinical profiles, pharmacokinetic behaviors, and safety indices of these two therapeutic agents.
Antagonizes dopamine D2 receptors in the mesolimbic pathway; also blocks alpha-adrenergic, histamine H1, muscarinic, and serotonin receptors.
Thioridazine is a phenothiazine antipsychotic that blocks postsynaptic mesolimbic dopaminergic D1 and D2 receptors, and also blocks alpha-adrenergic receptors, histamine H1 receptors, and muscarinic M1 receptors.
25-100 mg orally or intramuscularly every 4-6 hours; maximum 2 g/day orally or 1 g/day intramuscularly.
Typical adult dose: 10-25 mg orally 3 times daily. Maximum dose: 200 mg/day.
None Documented
None Documented
Terminal elimination half-life 30 ± 14 hours (range 20–70 hours); clinical context: requires multiple daily dosing in acute agitation, but long-acting IM formulations (not chlorpromazine) available; half-life increases with age and hepatic impairment.
Terminal elimination half-life 21-24 hours; steady-state achieved within 5-7 days
Primarily hepatic metabolism; renal excretion accounts for ~20% as unchanged drug and metabolites, with ~6% unchanged; biliary/fecal excretion ~80%, mainly as metabolites.
Primarily renal (70-80% as metabolites, <1% unchanged); biliary/fecal (20-30%)
Category C
Category C
Antipsychotic
Antipsychotic