Marketed as
Clopixol in Australia, Zuclopenthixol Dihidrochloride is part of the drug class
Antipsychotics. It is
comonly used to treat
acute and
chronic schizophrenia, other
psychoses and the manic phase of
manic depression.
It's function is basically the opposite of
Dexamphetamine. Like Dexamphetamine, it targets the patient's Central
nervous
system and is most commonly administered in tablet form.
The following clinical information is taken from an Australian drug database for
Clinicians.
Composition
Active
Clopixol Acuphase: zuclopenthixol acetate. Clopixol Depot: zuclopenthixol decanoate. Clopixol tablets:
zuclopenthixol dihydrochloride.
Inactive
Clopixol Accuphase, Clopixol Depot: fractionated coconut oil. Clopixol tablets: potato starch, lactose, microcrystalline
cellulose, povidone/ vinylacetate copolymer, glycerol, talc, hydogenated castor oil and magnesium stearate, with a
coating of hypromellose and macrogol coloured with titanium dioxide and ferric oxide.
Pharmacology
Mechanism of action
The antipsychotic effect of neuroleptics is related to their dopamine receptor blocking activity. The thioxanthenes have
high affinity for both the adenylate cyclase coupled dopamine D1-receptors and for the dopamine D2-receptors; in the
phenothiazine group the affinity for D1-receptors is much lower than for D2-receptors, whereas butyrophenones,
diphenylbutylpiperidines and benzamides only have affinity for D2-receptors.
In the traditional tests for antipsychotic effect, e.g. antagonism of stereotypic behaviour induced by dopamine agonists,
the mentioned chemical groups of neuroleptics exhibit equal but dose dependent activity. However the antistereotypic effect
of butyrophenones, diphenylbutylpiperidines and benzamides is strongly counteracted by the anticholinergic drug scopolamine,
that of the phenothiazines less so, while the antistereotypic effect of the thioxanthenes, e.g. zuclopenthixol, is not
influenced (or is only very slightly influenced) by concomitant treatment with anticholinergics. Like most other
neuroleptics, zuclopenthixol increases the serum prolactin level.
A clear relationship between serum levels and clinical effects of zuclopenthixol has not been established. However data from
open trials of zuclopenthixol in the treatment of mania and acute paranoid psychosis indicate that the minimum effective
serum levels are 5 nanogram/mL (12.5 nanomol/L) in patients with acute mania of moderate severity, 3 to 4 nanogram/mL (7.5
to 10 nanomol/L) in moderately psychotic patients (brief psychiatric rating scale (BPRS) 26 to 30 points), and 6 to 8
nanogram/L (15 to 20 nanomol/L) in severely psychotic patients (BPRS 31 to 38 points). Clopixol tablets when given within
the dosage recommendation provide adequate zuclopenthixol serum levels for effective control of psychoses.
Chronic administration of zuclopenthixol (30 mg/kg/day for two years) in rats resulted in small but significant increases in
the incidence of thyroid parafollicular carcinomas and, in females, of mammary adenocarcinomas and of pancreatic islet cell
adenomas and carcinomas. An increase in the incidence of mammary adenocarcinomas is a common finding for D2-antagonists,
which increase prolactin secretion, when administered to rats. An increase in the incidence of pancreatic islet cell
tumours has been observed for some other D2-antagonists. The physiological differences between rats and humans with
regard to prolactin make the clinical significance of these findings unclear.
Pharmacokinetics
As for other neuroleptics, zuclopenthixol is distributed with highest concentrations of drug and metabolites in the liver,
lungs, intestines and kidneys and lower concentrations in the heart, spleen, brain and blood. The apparent
volume of distribution is 20 L/kg and protein binding approximately 98% at concentrations above the therapeutic range.
The metabolism of zuclopenthixol is mainly by means of sulfoxidation, side chain N-dealkylation and glucuronic acid
conjugation. The metabolites are devoid of psychopharmacological activity. Excretion is mainly via the faecal route and
to a smaller degree (about 10%) via the urine. Only about 0.1% of the dose is excreted unchanged in the urine, so the drug
load on the kidneys is negligible. The systemic clearance is approximately 0.9 L/minute.
The kinetics appear to be linear, since highly significant correlations exist between dose and serum level, and between
dose and area under the serum concentration curve, respectively.
Warnings
Initiation of therapy
Severe adverse reactions requiring immediate medical attention may occur and are difficult to predict. Therefore, the
evaluation of tolerance and response and establishment of adequate maintenance therapy require careful stabilisation of each
patient under continuous close medical observation and supervision.
Sedative effects
Since sedation may occur, ambulatory patients receiving Clopixol should be cautioned against activities such as driving a
car or operating machinery. Clopixol may enhance the sedative effects of alcohol and other CNS depressant drugs.
Dyskinesia. The possibility of the development of irreversible dyskinesia should be borne in mind when patients are on
prolonged therapy with Clopixol.
Antiemetic effect
The antiemetic effect observed with zuclopenthixol in animal studies may also occur in humans. Therefore the drug may mask
signs of toxicity due to overdosage of other drugs, or it may mask symptoms of diseases such as brain tumour or intestinal
obstruction.
Photosensitivity reactions
Photosensitivity reactions, pigmentary retinopathy and lenticular and corneal deposits have been reported with related
drugs. Lens opacity has been reported rarely with zuclopenthixol.
Anaphylactoid reactions
The possibility of anaphylactoid reactions occurring in some patients should be borne in mind.
Neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
A potentially fatal syndrome called neuroleptic malignant syndrome has been reported on occasion with antipsychotic drugs.
The syndrome is characterised by muscular rigidity, fever, hyperthermia, altered consciousness and autonomic instability
(e.g. tachycardia, labile blood pressure, profuse sweating, dyspnoea). The management of neuroleptic malignant syndrome
should include immediate discontinuation of antipsychotic drugs, intensive monitoring of symptoms and treatment of
any associated medical problems.
Overdosage
Symptoms
Overdosage is characterised by somnolence, coma, extrapyramidal symptoms, convulsions, cramps, decreased blood pressure,
shock and hampered regulation of temperature (hyperthermia or hypothermia).
Treatment
There is no specific antidote for zuclopenthixol. Treatment should be symptomatic and supportive.
Gastric lavage should be carried out immediately after oral ingestion and activated charcoal may be administered. Measures
aimed at supporting the respiratory and cardiovascular systems should be instituted. A patent airway should be maintained.
If severe hypotension occurs, an intravenous vasopressor drug should be administered immediately. Adrenaline and
noradrenaline should not be used, as a further lowering of blood pressure may result. Antiparkinsonian medication should be
administered only if extrapyramidal symptoms develop. Zuclopenthixol should be withdrawn until the patient shows signs of
relapse and should then be reintroduced at a lower dose.
Source: Source: MIMS Pharmeceutical Database 01/02/2003