title: Photochemistry and in vitro phototoxicity studies of levomepromazine (methotrimeprazine), a phototoxic neuroleptic drug.
abstract: The neuroleptic drug levomepromazine (1, previously known as methotrimeprazine) is photolabile under UV-A and UV-B light in aerobic conditions. Irradiation of a methanol solution of this drug produces one photoproduct, resulting from the oxidation of 1 to its sulfoxide parent. It is demonstrated that photodegradation occurs via type II mechanism involving irreversible trapping of self-photogenerated singlet molecular oxygen. 1 shows a photohemolytic effect on human erythrocytes and photoinducers lipid peroxidation.
authors.affiliation: Laboratorio de Fotoquímica, Centro de Química, Instituto Venezolano de Investigaciones Científicas I.V.I.C., Caracas, Venezuela. fvargas@ivic.ivic.ve
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Vargas
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Carbonell
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Camacho
mesh_terms: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity*; D017484:Dermatitis, Phototoxic / Q000473:pathology*; D004583:Electrons; D004912:Erythrocytes / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D006461:Hemolysis / Q000187:drug effects / Q000528:radiation effects; D006639:Histidine / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D019787:Linoleic Acid / Q000737:chemistry; D015227:Lipid Peroxidation / Q000187:drug effects; D008728:Methotrimeprazine / Q000737:chemistry* / Q000633:toxicity*; D009580:Nitroblue Tetrazolium; D016877:Oxidants / Q000737:chemistry; D010100:Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry; D010777:Photochemistry; D010782:Photolysis; D012709:Serum Albumin / Q000737:chemistry; D026082:Singlet Oxygen / Q000737:chemistry; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays
chemical_list: D014150:Antipsychotic Agents; D007202:Indicators and Reagents; D016877:Oxidants; D012709:Serum Albumin; D026082:Singlet Oxygen; D009580:Nitroblue Tetrazolium; D006639:Histidine; D008728:Methotrimeprazine; D019787:Linoleic Acid; D010100:Oxygen