Extrapyramidal and purgative effects of fluphenazine in turkeys

Fluphenazine is a typical antipsychotic medicine with extrapyramidal effects. It was tested for purgative and neurological effects in turkeys. The results showed that the drug induced purgation at a dose range of 5 to 200 mg/kg body weight causing highest frequency of fecal droppings (7) at 10 mg/kg in 7 min and lowest frequency of dropping (1) at 50 mg/kg. However, the number of fecal droppings was not linearly correlated with dose progression. Fluidity of the dropping increased with dose. This effect may be due to the stimulation or sedation of gastrointestinal tract.  At 5 mg/kg, the animals were calm, but at 15 mg/kg of fluphenazine, there was severe torticollis as the dose increased. In conclusion, fluphenazine has hormetic dose response of gastrointestinal stimulation and inhibition as well as central nervous system depression and stimulation, respectively. Key words: Fluphenazine, purgation, extrapyramidal effect, acetylcholine, sedation.