Phenothiazine

Phenothiazine is a pesticide and industrial chemical used in pharmaceutical manufacturing. It is sometimes used an an antihelminthic. It was introduced by DuPont as an insecticide in 1935.

It is now most commonly used as an intermediate chemical in the manufacture of various psychiatric drugs.

Phenothiazine-derivative drugs
The word "phenothiazines" is used to describe the largest of the 5 main classes of antipsychotic drugs. Although these drugs are generally effective, there are often serious side-effects including tardive dyskinesia and sedation (especially in the early stages of treatment).

There are three groups of phenothiazines, differing by their chemical structure and their pharmacological effects.