RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 ACTH-HYPERSECRETION INDUCED BY PHENOTHIAZINE TRANQUILIZERS JF Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics JO J Pharmacol Exp Ther FD American Society for Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics SP 185 OP 190 VO 139 IS 2 A1 Smith, Robert L. A1 Maickel, Roger P. A1 Brodie, Bernard B. YR 1963 UL http://jpet.aspetjournals.org/content/139/2/185.abstract AB Sedative doses of chlorpromazine and other phenothiazine tranquilizing agents evoke a persistent hypersecretion of ACTH as measured by decreased levels of adrenal ascorbic acid, elevated levels of plasma corticosterone and increased liver TPO activity. Large, repeated doses of chlorpromazine can reduce the ACTH content of the pituitary to a level of about 30% of normal thus preventing response to stressful stimuli. Chlorpromazine, in smaller doses, does not prevent the adrenocortical response to stressful stimuli; it does produce maximal responses which cannot be further increased by a stimulus or by exogenous ACTH.