CLINICAL EVALUATION OF TWO PHENOTHIAZINE COMPOUNDS PROMAZINE AND MEPAZINE

Abstract

We found promazine and mepazine to be of value in the treatment of psychotic patients with acute and chronic symptomatology. In the acute patients both promazine and mepazine yielded social recoveries as well as lesser degrees of improvement. One patient in 15 remained unchanged with promazine as did 2 in 10 with mepazine. Of the chronic patients 50% of those on mepazine revealed various grades of improvement, while 71% exhibited similar improvements with promazine. The best type of marked improvement was shown in 3 patients (6%) with mepazine, 7 (l3%) with promazine, and 9 (24%) with chlorpromazine. Side-reactions with mepazine were constipation, dizzines, dry mouth, and dermatitis. In some instances the use of promazine was associated with constipation, dry mouth, dizziness, and Parkinsonian tremor. Two patients exhibited grand mal seizures. In general, for the chronic patients, the dosage employed with promazine was greater than that used with mepazine.