Triflupromazine – Effect, Application & Risks
Triflupromazine
Triflupromazine belongs to the class of antipsychotics . As such, the drug is used to treat psychiatric disorders. However, it can also be used in other medical disciplines. In the Federal Republic of Germany, triflupromazine has not been allowed to be used or prescribed since 2003 due to changes in drug law, as there is no approval.
What is triflupromazine?
Triflupromazine is a drug with neuroleptic and antiemetic effects. Drugs or substances that have psychotropic effects, i.e. have a sedating, antipsychotic or antiautistic effect, are considered neuroleptic. Such preparations are known as neuroleptics and are used in psychiatry to treat various mental illnesses with medication. For this reason, the active ingredient triflupromazine is also classified as a psychotropic drug or neuroleptic and is referred to as such.
A drug is antiemetic if it prevents vomiting . Because of its antimetic properties, triflupromazine is also indicated outside of psychiatry. In 2003, however, the active ingredient lost its approval in the Federal Republic of Germany, where it was sold under the trade name Psyquil®.
In chemistry and pharmacology, triflupromazine is described by the empirical formula C 18 – H 19 – F 3 – N 2 – S. In its basic form, the active ingredient has a moral mass of 352.42 g/mol. The hydrochloride form, which is also frequently used, has a moral mass of 388.88 g/mol.
Pharmacological action
The mechanism of action of triflupromazine relies on its property as an antagonist of the D1 and D2 receptors . The drug thus causes an inhibition of the substances that bind to the free receptors.
In addition, a moderately strong affinity for other receptors has been recognized in numerous cases in the literature. Taking triflupromazine therefore also affects other receptors. These include D2, 5-HT2, Alpha1 and H1 receptors. A weak affinity was demonstrated for M1 receptors.
It is also known that triflupromazine can act as an inhibitor of acid sphringomyelinase. Use as a FIASMA (functional inhibitor of acidic sphingomyelinase) is therefore conceivable.
Medical Application & Use
Triflupromazine has both neuroleptic and antitimetic properties. Nevertheless, the main field of application of the active ingredient is psychiatry. Accordingly, there is an indication for severe psychoses or hallucinations (especially those that occur in connection with schizophrenia ) and acute psychomotor states of excitement.
Outside of psychiatry, there is also an indication for the treatment of severe vomiting, acute nausea and dizziness .
The active substance is administered orally in all cases in the form of film-coated tablets. These can be taken independently by the patient. However, the active ingredient is subject to pharmacy and prescription requirements in all countries for which approval exists.
Risks & side effects
Triflupromazine can lead to undesirable side effects , so taking it is not risk-free. The treatment should be stopped completely or not at all if an intolerance ( allergy ) to the drug is known. In these cases there is a contraindication.
The most common side effects of triflupromazine include the development of cardiac arrhythmia , hypotension , development of rigidity, akinesia and tremor . Tremor is an involuntary, strictly rhythmic disturbance of movement caused by continuous contraction of different muscle groups. Rigidity is when the body hardens or freezes. The term is the opposite of flexibility. Akinesis, on the other hand, describes a pathogenic immobility of the skeletal or cardiac muscles .
It has also been shown that triflupromazine affects liver values. Patients suffering from acute liver damage should only be treated with the active ingredient if no milder means are available.
Interactions with centrally acting substances such as alcohol are also conceivable. Regarding antihypertensive drugs , an unforeseen increase in the effect is possible. However, the effectiveness of dopamine agonists such as amantadine , levodopa or bromocriptine can be greatly reduced by taking triflupromazine. This also applies to the antihypertensive effect of guanethidine . The attending doctor must therefore always be informed about all preparations.
Due to the risk of a massive drop in blood pressure , special caution is also required before performing an operation. Medical monitoring of the patient may be necessary. The amount of anesthetic to be administered should be reduced appropriately.
Hello! I am Lisa Newlon, and I am a medical writer and researcher with over 10 years of experience in the healthcare industry. I have a Master’s degree in Medicine, and my deep understanding of medical terminology, practices, and procedures has made me a trusted source of information in the medical world.