Phenothiazine, abbreviated PTZ, is an organic compound that has the formula S(C6H4)2NH and is related to the thiazine-class of heterocyclic compounds. Derivatives of phenothiazine are highly bioactive and have widespread use and rich history. The derivatives chlorpromazine and promethazine revolutionized the fields of psychiatry and allergy treatment, respectively. An earlier derivative, methylene blue, was one of the first antimalarial drugs, and derivatives are under investigation as possible anti-infective drugs. Phenothiazine is a prototypical pharmaceutical lead structure in medicinal chemistry.
Fluphenazine, sold under the brand name Prolixin among others, is a high-potency typical antipsychotic medication. It is used in the treatment of chronic psychoses such as schizophrenia, and appears to be about equal in effectiveness to low-potency antipsychotics like chlorpromazine. It is given by mouth, injection into a muscle, or just under the skin. There is also a long acting injectable version that may last for up to four weeks. Fluphenazine decanoate, the depot injection form of fluphenazine, should not be used by people with severe depression.
Perphenazine is a typical antipsychotic drug. Chemically, it is classified as a piperazinyl phenothiazine. Originally marketed in the United States as Trilafon, it has been in clinical use for decades.
Thioridazine is a first generation antipsychotic drug belonging to the phenothiazine drug group and was previously widely used in the treatment of schizophrenia and psychosis. The branded product was withdrawn worldwide in 2005 because it caused severe cardiac arrhythmias. However, generic versions are still available in the US.
Prochlorperazine, formerly sold under the brand name Compazine among others, is a medication used to treat nausea, migraines, schizophrenia, psychosis and anxiety. It is a less preferred medication for anxiety. It may be taken by mouth, rectally, injection into a vein, or injection into a muscle.
Levomepromazine, also known as methotrimeprazine, is a phenothiazine neuroleptic drug. Brand names include Nozinan, Levoprome, Detenler, Hirnamin, Levotomin and Neurocil. It is a low-potency antipsychotic with strong analgesic, hypnotic and antiemetic properties that are primarily used in palliative care.
Tiotixene, or thiothixene, sold under the brand name Navane among others, is a typical antipsychotic of the thioxanthene class which is related to chlorprothixene and is used in the treatment of psychoses like schizophrenia and bipolar mania. It was introduced in the United States in 1967 by Pfizer.
Thiethylperazine (Torecan, Norzine) is an antiemetic of the phenothiazine class. It is an antagonist of dopamine receptors (DRD1, DRD2, DRD4) as well as of 5-HT2A, 5-HT2C receptors, mAChRs (1 through 5), α1 adrenergic receptor and H1 receptor.
Cyamemazine (Tercian), also known as cyamepromazine, is a typical antipsychotic drug of the phenothiazine class which was introduced by Theraplix in France in 1972 and later in Portugal as well.
Periciazine (INN), also known as pericyazine (BAN) or propericiazine, is a drug that belongs to the phenothiazine class of typical antipsychotics.
Perazine (Taxilan) is a moderate-potency typical antipsychotic of the phenothiazine class. It is quite similar to chlorpromazine, and acts as a dopamine antagonist. A 2014 systematic review compared it with other antipsychotic drugs:
Dacemazine (INN, also known as Ahistan and Histantine) is a phenothiazine derivative which acts as a histamine antagonist at the H1 subtype. First described in 1951, it was never marketed as a drug on its own, although a combination of dacemazine and di-tert-butylnaphthalenesulfonate was sold as an antispasmodic and antitussive under the trade name Codopectyl. It was also assessed as a possible anticancer drug.
Etymemazine is an antipsychotic, antihistamine and anticholinergic drug of the phenothiazine chemical class, structurally related to cyamemazine and methotrimeprazine.
Chlorproethazine, sold under the brand name Neuriplege, is a drug of the phenothiazine group described as a muscle relaxant or tranquilizer which is or has been marketed in Europe as a topical cream for the treatment of muscle pain. It has been associated with photoallergic contact dermatitis.
Dixyrazine, also known as dixypazin (oxalate), sold under the brand names Ansiolene, Esocalm, Esucos, Metronal, and Roscal, is a typical antipsychotic of the phenothiazine group described as a neuroleptic and antihistamine. It was first introduced in Germany in 1969. It is used as a neuroleptic, anxiolytic, and antihistamine in doses between 12.5 and 75 mg a day.
Thioproperazine, sold under the brand name Majeptil, is a typical antipsychotic of the phenothiazine group which is used as a tranquilizer, antiemetic, sedative, and in the treatment of schizophrenia and manic phase of bipolar disorder. Majeptil is available in 10 mg tablets.
Butaperazine is a typical antipsychotic of the phenothiazine class. It was approved in 1967, and possibly discontinued in the 1980s.
Pipotiazine (Piportil), also known as pipothiazine, is a typical antipsychotic of the phenothiazine class used in the United Kingdom and other countries for the treatment of schizophrenia. Its properties are similar to those of chlorpromazine. A 2004 systematic review investigated its efficacy for people with schizophrenia:
Pipamazine is a drug of the phenothiazine class formerly used as an antiemetic. It is chemically related to chlorpromazine, but has negligible antipsychotic activity and produces few extrapyramidal side effects.
Carfenazine (INN), or carphenazine (BAN), also known as carphenazine maleate (USAN), is an antipsychotic and tranquilizer of the phenothiazine group that was withdrawn from the market.
