Chlorpromazine (CPZ) is a potent tranquillizer and is employed as such as an adjuvant in the treatment of psychiatric disorders. Because of its anti-emetic action it is used to alleviate the nausea and vomiting associated with a variety of disease processes. The potentiating effects of CPZ on the hypnotics, sedatives, analgetics, and anaesthetics have led to its use in combination with these agents (Grollman, 1960). CPZ is known to cause, occasionally, toxic reactions as hepatitis with jaundice, hypoplastic anaemia, agranulocytosis, ataxia, and dermatitis (Bernhard et al, 1955; Cares et al, 1957; Hall et al, 1956). Malformations of the offspring resulting from the use of CPZ during human pregnancy have, however, not been reported.
Numerous experiments have shown the growth-retarding effect of CPZ at various developmental stages in mammals, chickens, and other organisms (Decourt, 1953; Chambon, 1955, 1956; Maki, 1958), yet the absence of malformations is generally stressed.