A first-generation antipsychotic

Pericyazine

A first-generation (older) antipsychotic used for schizophrenia and severe agitation.

What is Pericyazine?

Pericyazine is a first-generation (typical) antipsychotic taken by mouth. It is used to help control symptoms of schizophrenia and severe agitation by blocking dopamine signalling in the brain. It is sedating and, like other older antipsychotics, can cause movement-related side effects.

Class: Antipsychotics

Education and reference only. This is a plain-language guide to Pericyazine — it deliberately contains no doses. Doses depend on the person, the brand and the reason for treatment, and belong with your prescriber. Always check the BNF, the product labelling (SmPC) and follow medical advice.

Written by Meds Global Health Clinical Team · Clinically reviewed by Dr Muhammad Suffyan, MB BS, Founder & Clinical Director · Last reviewed · How we review
Class: Antipsychotics →
Pericyazine (Antipsychotics) — Meds Global Health reference card with 2D molecular structure
Pericyazine — Antipsychotics. The image shows the active ingredient's 2D molecular structure.

What it is

Pericyazine is an older, first-generation antipsychotic from the phenothiazine group. It is taken by mouth and is used mainly to manage symptoms of schizophrenia and to calm severe agitation or aggression. As an older medicine it tends to be quite sedating, which can be useful when a calming effect is wanted.

How it works

Pericyazine mainly blocks dopamine receptors in the brain. In conditions such as schizophrenia, dopamine signalling is thought to be overactive in certain pathways, and reducing it can lessen symptoms such as hearing voices, paranoia and disordered thinking. It also blocks other receptors, which explains its sedating effect and its tendency to lower blood pressure.

Company & origin

Originated / developed by: Available as a generic medicine in the UK from several manufacturers..

Pericyazine (also spelled periciazine) is an older phenothiazine antipsychotic that has been used in the UK for many years.

What it treats

Conditions Pericyazine is used for

Schizophrenia & psychosisA serious mental illness where a person loses some contact with reality — treated with ant…

Practical use

How to take Pericyazine

General, dose-free guidance — always follow your prescriber's and the leaflet's specific instructions.

  • Take it by mouth, exactly as your prescriber directs, at the same times each day.
  • It is often taken in the evening or split through the day because it can make you drowsy.
  • Do not stop taking it suddenly, even if you feel well, as this can trigger withdrawal effects or a relapse.
  • If you miss a dose, take it when you remember unless it is nearly time for the next one; never double up.
  • Avoid alcohol, which adds to drowsiness, and be careful with driving until you know how it affects you.

Weighing it up

Advantages & disadvantages of Pericyazine

Advantages

  • Can be effective for symptoms of schizophrenia and for severe agitation.
  • The sedating effect can be helpful when calming is needed.
  • Long-established medicine with well-understood effects.

Disadvantages

  • More likely than newer antipsychotics to cause movement side effects such as stiffness, tremor and restlessness.
  • Often quite sedating, which can affect daytime alertness, work and driving.
  • Can raise the hormone prolactin and may affect heart rhythm, so monitoring is needed.

Practical use

Good to know

This is a sedating older antipsychotic, so drowsiness is common, especially at first. It should not be stopped suddenly, as this can cause withdrawal effects or a relapse of symptoms. Tell your team about any unusual muscle stiffness, restlessness or shakiness, as these movement effects are more likely with older antipsychotics. Seek urgent help (999 or A&E) if you develop a high temperature with severe muscle stiffness, confusion and a fast heartbeat — this can signal a rare but serious reaction called neuroleptic malignant syndrome.

Who should not take it / use with caution

  • People with a known allergy to pericyazine or other phenothiazines.
  • People who are very drowsy or have a reduced level of consciousness from any cause.
  • Used with caution in older people and in those with heart disease, Parkinson's disease, epilepsy, glaucoma or an enlarged prostate.

Monitoring

  • Regular review of symptoms, mood and side effects, especially movement effects.
  • Blood pressure, weight and, where appropriate, blood sugar and cholesterol.
  • An ECG (heart tracing) may be checked in some people.

Side effects

  • Drowsiness, especially when starting.
  • Movement effects (extrapyramidal symptoms): muscle stiffness, tremor, slowed movements and restlessness.
  • Dizziness on standing because of lower blood pressure (postural hypotension).
  • Dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation and weight gain.
  • Raised prolactin, which can cause breast tenderness, milk production or changes in periods.
  • Rarely, effects on heart rhythm (QT prolongation).

Key interactions

  • Other sedating medicines, strong painkillers and alcohol increase drowsiness.
  • Medicines that can affect heart rhythm may add to the risk of QT problems.
  • Blood-pressure-lowering medicines can increase dizziness on standing.
  • Tell your team about all your medicines, including those bought over the counter.

Available as: Tablets and an oral solution.

Answers

Pericyazine: frequently asked questions

Is pericyazine the same as a newer antipsychotic?

No. Pericyazine is a first-generation (older) antipsychotic. It works well for many people but is more likely than newer medicines to cause movement side effects and sedation.

Can I stop taking it once I feel better?

Do not stop suddenly. Stopping abruptly can cause withdrawal effects or bring symptoms back. Any change should be planned with your team, usually by reducing gradually.

Will it make me drowsy?

Often yes, particularly at first. This usually settles, but you should avoid driving or using machinery until you know how it affects you, and avoid alcohol.

What is neuroleptic malignant syndrome?

It is a rare but serious reaction to antipsychotics. Warning signs include a high temperature, severe muscle stiffness, confusion, a fast or irregular heartbeat and sweating. This is a medical emergency: stop the medicine and seek urgent help (call 999 or go to A&E) straight away.

Why do I need blood tests and heart checks?

Monitoring helps pick up changes in blood pressure, weight, hormone levels and heart rhythm so problems can be managed early. Keep your review appointments.

The wider class

About Antipsychotics

Pericyazine belongs to the antipsychotics class. For how the class as a whole works, its shared safety principles and monitoring, see the full guide.

AntipsychoticsDrugs for psychosis, bipolar disorder and other conditions — balanced against movement and metabolic side-effects. QuetiapineAn atypical antipsychotic used in schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; can cause sedation, …OlanzapineAn effective atypical antipsychotic for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, well known for…AripiprazoleAn atypical antipsychotic for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder that tends to be more wei…RisperidoneA widely used atypical antipsychotic for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, available as …HaloperidolA long-established first-generation antipsychotic used for schizophrenia, agitation and ot…LurasidoneA second-generation antipsychotic used for schizophrenia, often chosen for its relatively …PaliperidoneA second-generation antipsychotic for schizophrenia, available as daily tablets or as a lo…SulpirideAn antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia; it can raise prolactin and cause movement ef…AmisulprideA second-generation antipsychotic used for schizophrenia that can calm symptoms at higher …ChlorpromazineAn older 'first-generation' antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia and other conditions…FlupentixolAn antipsychotic for schizophrenia that can be taken as tablets or given as a long-acting …TrifluoperazineA first-generation antipsychotic used in schizophrenia and other psychosis, and at lower a…LevomepromazineA sedating antipsychotic used in psychosis but, in UK practice, most often in palliative c…ZuclopenthixolAn older antipsychotic for schizophrenia, available as tablets and as a long-acting depot …AsenapineA second-generation antipsychotic taken as a tablet that dissolves under the tongue, used …CariprazineA second-generation antipsychotic for schizophrenia with a long-lasting effect in the body…DroperidolA butyrophenone medicine used mainly to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting, especially …BenperidolAn antipsychotic occasionally used under specialist care to control deviant antisocial sex…LoxapineAn antipsychotic medicine; its inhaled form is used in hospital settings to calm sudden ag…PericiazineAn older phenothiazine antipsychotic, also used for severe anxiety or agitation, that is m…PimozideAn antipsychotic tablet used for schizophrenia and a specific delusional condition, which …PipotiazineA long-acting antipsychotic given by injection to maintain treatment for schizophrenia.…PromazineAn older antipsychotic used mainly for short-term agitation and restlessness, especially i…FluphenazineAn older antipsychotic used for schizophrenia, often as a long-acting depot injection that…PerphenazineA first-generation antipsychotic used for conditions such as schizophrenia, and also to tr…ZiprasidoneA second-generation antipsychotic used for schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, taken with …BrexpiprazoleA newer antipsychotic used for schizophrenia and as an add-on in depression that has not r…IloperidoneA second-generation antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia, with the dose built up slow…ThiothixeneA first-generation antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia, more commonly seen as a Unit…Aripiprazole lauroxilA long-acting depot injection of the antipsychotic aripiprazole, given every few weeks to …LumateperoneA newer once-daily antipsychotic used for schizophrenia and for bipolar depression.…MolindoneAn older first-generation antipsychotic used to treat schizophrenia, mainly available in t…PimavanserinA medicine used to treat the hallucinations and delusions (psychosis) that can occur in Pa…ClozapineThe most effective medicine for schizophrenia that has not responded to other treatments —…

Browse by body system

Mental healthConditions and medicines for mood, anxiety, psychosis, sleep and dependence — used alongsi…

Authoritative sources

  • BNF: Pericyazine.
  • NICE CKS: Antipsychotics.

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