TheraRadar
Data updated: Jun 28, 2026

TRIFLUOPERAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE · IVAX PHARMS

CNS Approved 1959-04-16

Trifluoperazine hydrochloride is indicated for the management of schizophrenia and the short-term treatment of generalized non-psychotic anxiety. It is not considered a first-line therapy for anxiety because it carries risks, such as persistent and potentially irreversible tardive dyskinesia, that are not associated with common alternatives like benzodiazepines. When prescribed for non-psychotic anxiety, clinical use is restricted to a maximum dosage of 6 mg per day and a duration of no more than 12 weeks. It has not been demonstrated as effective for managing behavioral complications in patients with mental retardation.

Source: FDA Label

How TRIFLUOPERAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE Works

Trifluoperazine is a piperazine phenothiazine derivative that acts as a potent antagonist at postsynaptic dopamine D2 receptors, primarily within the mesolimbic and mesocortical pathways of the brain. By inhibiting dopaminergic neurotransmission, it diminishes psychotic symptoms. It also exhibits alpha-adrenergic blocking effects and weak anticholinergic activity. Its exact mechanism in relieving anxiety is not fully established but is thought to be related to its central dopamine receptor antagonism.

Source: FDA Label
7
Indications
--
Phase 3 Trials
67
Years on Market

Details

Status
Discontinued
First Approved
1959-04-16
Routes
ORAL
Dosage Forms
TABLET, CONCENTRATE

TRIFLUOPERAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE Approval History

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Original
New Indication
New Form
Label Update
307 FDA actions from 1981 to 2025
Jan 2025 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Jan 2025 SUPPL
Label · Labeling
Jan 2025 SUPPL
Label · Labeling

What TRIFLUOPERAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE Treats

2 indications

TRIFLUOPERAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE is approved for 2 conditions since its original approval in 1981. These indications span multiple therapeutic areas including oncology, immunology, and more.

Source: FDA Label

TRIFLUOPERAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE Boxed Warning

WARNING Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Analyses of seventeen placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1.6 to 1.7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients. Over the course of a typical 10-week contro...

TRIFLUOPERAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE Competitive Set

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Filters applied: drops same-active-ingredient (505(b)(2) reformulations), route-mismatch (topical vs systemic), and cross-therapeutic-area matches in same-indication rings.

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Key Completed Trials

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Trial Timeline

Full development history with FDA approval milestones

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Understanding FDA Approval Types
Count Type What it means
- ORIG Original approval - drug first enters market
- SUPPL - Efficacy New indication (new disease/condition approved)
- SUPPL - Labeling Label text changes (warnings, dosing updates)
- SUPPL - Manufacturing Production changes (new facility)
- SUPPL - Chemistry Formulation changes (new dosage strength)

Green lines in the timeline show ORIG and Efficacy approvals - the clinically meaningful milestones.

TRIFLUOPERAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE FDA Label Details

Indications & Usage

For the management of schizophrenia. Trifluoperazine HCl is effective for the short-term treatment of generalized non-psychotic anxiety. However, trifluoperazine HCl is not the first drug to be used in therapy for most patients with non-psychotic anxiety because certain risks associated with its use are not shared by common alternative treatments (i.e., benzodiazepines). When used in the treatment of non-psychotic anxiety, trifluoperazine HCl should not be administered at doses of more than 6 mg per day or for longer than 12 weeks because the use of trifluoperazine HCl at higher doses or for l...

⚠️ BOXED WARNING

WARNING Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Analyses of seventeen placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients takin...

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Data Sources

Data sourced from official FDA and NIH databases. Click links to verify on original sources.