Drug Summary

  Drug name:  zuclopenthixol
  Chemical name:  Zuclopenthixol hydrochloride
  Formula:  C₂₂H₂₅ClN₂OS
  Weight:   400.965
  CAS no:  53772-83-1
  DrugBank link:  DB01624
  Description:  Zuclopenthixol, also known as Zuclopentixol or Zuclopenthixolum, is an antipsychotic agent. Zuclopenthixol is a thioxanthene-based neuroleptic with therapeutic actions similar to the phenothiazine antipsychotics. It is an antagonist at D1 and D2 dopamine receptors. Major brands of zuclopenthixol are Cisordinol, Acuphase, and Clopixol. This drug is a liquid. This compound belongs to the thioxanthenes. These are organic polycyclic compounds containing a thioxanthene moiety, which is an aromatic tricycle derived from xanthene by replacing the oxygen atom with a sulfur atom. Known drug targets of zuclopenthixol include 5-hydroxytryptamine receptor 2A, D(1B) dopamine receptor, D(2) dopamine receptor, D(1A) dopamine receptor, and alpha-1A adrenergic receptor. It is known that zuclopenthixol is metabolized by Cytochrome P450 2D6. Zuclopenthixol was approved for use in Canada in 2011, but is not approved for use in the United States.
  Indication:  Used in the management of acute psychoses such as mania or schizophrenia. However, the use of zuclopenthixol acetate in psychiatric emergencies as an alternative to standard treatments (haloperidol, clotiapine, etc.) should be cautioned, since well executed and documented trials of zuclopenthixol acetate for this use have yet to be conducted. Zuclopenthixol acetate is not intended for long-term use.