Amenorrhea and elevated level of serum cholesterol produced by a trifluoromethylated phenothiazine (SKF 5354-A).

Abstract

ABSTRACT The administration of 1 Gm. per day of a trifluorinated phenothiazine (SKF 5354-A) resulted in amenorrhea in 6 of 7 female patients, without a rise in urinary gonadotropin excretion. The drug also produced a rise in the serum cholesterol level. There was a slight depression of 24-hour thyroidal I131 uptake, but not sufficient to account for the increase in serum cholesterol concentration. THE effects of several phrenotropic agents, particularly chlorpromazine (CPZ), on adrenal, thyroidal and gonadal function have been reported by several investigators (1–18) although the precise mechanisms involved have not been clearly elucidated. Most authors favor inhibiton of pituitary function by the hypothalamus, whereas Reiss (6) takes the view that CPZ inhibits the target glands directly, resulting first in stimulation and then in exhaustion of the pituitary. Suzuki et al. (5) offer evidence that CPZ exerts both a central and peripheral depressant effect on the endocrine system. Since more information wil...