[Rational utilization of the major tranquilizers].

The author examined a group of drug-free patients who during the subsequent period of I month received chlorpromazine. These patients were studied for the chlorpromazine content in the blood, pupilzise, handwriting test, EEG and mental state. The level of chlorpromasine was maximal in the first 2 weeks and then declined. Changes in the peripheral autonomic measures correlated with those in the plasma levels and with an increased liver hydrozylation. Changes in the central measures were inconsistent. A 3-week treatment with phenobarbitone and antiparkinsonic drugs accelerated the metabolism of chlorpromazine. An increased metabolism of chlorpromazine in the intestine and liver may be the cause of the patients' resistanec to chlorpromazine therapy.