Injection lesions following intramuscular administration of chlorpromazine in rabbits
Bree, M.M.; Cohen, B.J.; Abrams, G.D.
Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association 159(11): 1598-1602
1971
ISSN/ISBN: 0003-1488 PMID: 5154568 Document Number: 35204
Rabbits were injected i/m with 100 mg/kg chlorpromazine either in the left or the left and right anterior or posterior thigh muscles. Though all of them recovered from the tranquillizing effect of the drug within 36 hours and were active, alert, and gained a little weight, they developed lameness, swelling, muscular atrophy and paralysis of the injected limb. Histologically, the lesions included severe myositis, coagulative necrosis, neural and perineural inflammation, vascular thrombosis, popliteal lymphadenitis, focal necrosis and gangrene of the skin, and periostitis. The damage was more extensive in the posterior than in the anterior thigh muscles. I/m use of the drug is contraindicated in rabbits required for long-term experiments.