Korean J Geriatr Gerontol.  2016 Jun;17(1):39-41. 10.15656/kjcg.2016.17.1.39.

Chlorpromazine-induced Parkinsonism and Polyclonal Gammopathy

• Kim YB
• Lee SH
• Kim JS

• KMID: 2566496
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.15656/kjcg.2016.17.1.39

Abstract

We report a 61-year-old woman who developed motor and non-motor symptoms of Parkinsonism and polyclonal gammopathy in response to long-term treatment of chlorpromazine. The temporal relationship between chlorpromazine discontinuation and the disappearance of motor symptoms of Parkinsonism and polyclonal gammopathy suggests a causal link. The action mechanism of chlorpromazine is related to its ability as a dopamine antagonist as well as anti-serotonergic, anti-cholinergic, anti-adrenergic and antihistaminergic properties, and the exposure of this drug can be associated with various side effects such as Parkinsonism, constipation and orthostatic hypotension. Chlorpromazine can also induce abnormalities in immune system. This report alerts neurologists and geriatricians that care for patients with Parkinsonism and depression.

Keyword

Chlorpromazine; Drug-induced Parkinsonism; Polyclonal gammopathy