fenotiazínicos

Fenotiazínicos is a class of organic compounds characterized by a tricyclic structure composed of two benzene rings fused to a thiazine ring. The core structure is 10H-phenothiazine. This structural framework serves as the basis for a wide range of pharmacologically active substances, most notably antipsychotic medications, but also antihistamines and antiemetics.

The development of phenothiazines began in the early 1950s, leading to the discovery of chlorpromazine, the first antipsychotic drug. This marked a significant advancement in the treatment of severe mental illnesses like schizophrenia, offering a way to manage symptoms that were previously untreatable. Subsequent research led to the development of numerous other phenothiazine derivatives, each with variations in their chemical structure that influence their therapeutic effects and side effect profiles.

Phenothiazine medications primarily exert their effects by blocking dopamine D2 receptors in the brain, although they also interact with other neurotransmitter systems such as serotonin, histamine, and acetylcholine receptors. This broad receptor activity contributes to their therapeutic efficacy but also to a range of side effects, including extrapyramidal symptoms, sedation, and anticholinergic effects. Despite the development of newer classes of antipsychotics, phenothiazines remain important in clinical practice due to their effectiveness and affordability.