Phenothiazine-Induced Hyperglycemia: Relation to CNS and Adrenal Effects 1

Summary The ability of 4 phenothiazines to induce hyperglycemia, to decrease motor activity in mice, and to release catecholamines from isolated bovine adrenals, were not well correlated. Fluphenazine produced the greatest CNS depression with a minimal hyperglycemia. Chlorpromazine produced the greatest hyperglycemia but was not the best releasing agent in isolated adrenals. It appears that the hyperglycemic action of the phenothiazines may be minimized without sacrificing CNS activity by selecting the appropriate derivative. Variation in extra-adrenal effects on blood sugar may explain the lack of correlation between production of hyperglycemia and adrenal catecholamine release by the phenothiazines studied.