In vitro effect of trifluoperazine on human lymphocytes.

Trifluoperazine, a phenothiazine group of tranquilizer was studied for its chromosome damaging effect in human lymphocyte cultures. The cells were treated with 10, 15 and 20 micrograms/culture of trifluoperazine for 24, 48 and 72 hours. A high incidence of chromatid breaks and gaps was observed after 48 and 72 hours treatment. The study revealed that the drug acts mostly on the late S and G2 phase of the cell cycle.