title: Immunologic and coagulation disorders in chlorpromazine-treated patients.
abstract: The prevalence of immunologic and coagulation disorders in 75 schizophrenic patients treated with chlorpromazine or other antipsychotic drugs was evaluated. Four groups were studied: Group A, chlorpromazine treatment for more than 2 1/2 years; Group B, chlorpromazine and other antipsychotic drug treatment for more than 2 1/2 years; Group C, chlorpromazine treatment for less than 2 1/2 years; Group D, no chlorpromazine, but other antipsychotic drug treatment. Significant elevation of serum IgM and prolongation of partial thromboplastin time were noted in patients who had long-term chlorpromazine treatment. The latter was caused by a circulating inhibitor resembling that seen with systemic lupus erythematosus. There was a significant correlation between the IgM level versus chlorpromazine dose or duration of treatment and the partial thromboplastin time versus chlorpromazine dose or duration of treatment. In Groups A and B, 63% had a positive antinuclear antibody test (greater than or equal to 1:80), 40% had antibodies to native DNA, and 58% had antibodies to nucleoprotein. These antibodies were negative in the other groups. The percentages of T lymphocytes were below normal in 13 of 41 patients treated with chlopromazine. Twenty of 42 patients in Groups A and B, and none of 28 in Groups C and D had splenomegaly. This study indicates that most patients on long-term chlorpromazine treatment develop one or more immunologic abnormalities.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear / Q000032:analysis; D001402:B-Lymphocytes; D001778:Blood Coagulation Disorders / Q000139:chemically induced*; D001780:Blood Coagulation Tests; D002746:Chlorpromazine / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D006801:Humans; D006942:Hypergammaglobulinemia / Q000139:chemically induced; D007154:Immune System Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D007075:Immunoglobulin M / Q000032:analysis; D007958:Leukocyte Count; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000188:drug therapy; D013163:Splenomegaly / Q000139:chemically induced; D013601:T-Lymphocytes; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000974:Antibodies, Antinuclear; D007075:Immunoglobulin M; D002746:Chlorpromazine