Is Chlorpromazine a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI)?

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Last updated: February 11, 2025View editorial policy

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From the Research

Definition of Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)

  • SSRIs are a class of drugs that are typically used as antidepressants in the treatment of major depressive disorder and anxiety disorders [@\5@]

Characteristics of Chlorpromazine

  • Chlorpromazine is an antipsychotic drug that is used in the treatment of schizophrenia [@\1@, @\3@]
  • It is not classified as a Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitor (SSRI) [@\5@]

Comparison with SSRIs

  • There is no evidence to suggest that chlorpromazine has the same mechanism of action as SSRIs [@\1@, @\3@, @\4@]
  • Chlorpromazine has been compared to other antipsychotic drugs in terms of efficacy, but not to SSRIs [@\4@]

Other Relevant Information

  • Chlorpheniramine, an antihistamine, has been found to have SSRI-like effects [@\2@]
  • However, chlorpromazine is a different drug from chlorpheniramine and does not have the same properties [@\1@, @\3@]

Professional Medical Disclaimer

This information is intended for healthcare professionals. Any medical decision-making should rely on clinical judgment and independently verified information. The content provided herein does not replace professional discretion and should be considered supplementary to established clinical guidelines. Healthcare providers should verify all information against primary literature and current practice standards before application in patient care. Dr.Oracle assumes no liability for clinical decisions based on this content.

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