Levomepromazine, also known as methotrimeprazine, is a phenothiazine derivative primarily used as an antipsychotic and sedative agent. It was developed in the 1950s during the early era of antipsychotic drug research, alongside other phenothiazines, and gained recognition for its broad pharmacological profile, which includes sedative, antiemetic, and analgesic properties. Unlike some other antipsychotics, levomepromazine is particularly valued in palliative care for managing agitation, nausea, and severe pain, especially in terminally ill patients. Its versatility stems from its effects on multiple neurotransmitter systems, including dopamine, serotonin, and histamine receptors. Over the decades, levomepromazine has maintained a unique role in both psychiatry and palliative medicine, illustrating the evolution of psychotropic medications from strictly antipsychotic agents to multi-purpose therapeutic tools.
