Pharmacological study of [2-chloro-11-(2-dimethylaminoethoxy) dibenzo[b,f]thiepine] (zotepine), a new neuroleptic drug.

2-Chloro-11-(2-dimethyl-aminoethoxy)dibenzo [b,f]thiepine (zotepine) is a new neuroleptic drug with a chemical structure different from known neuroleptics. The psychopharmacological effects of zotepine in mice, rats and dogs were studied and compared with those of commercially available neuroleptics. Haloperidol and perphenazine were the most active and thioridazine was the least active in hibiting apomorphine-induced gnawing and circling movement, methamphetamine-induced gnawing and circling movement, conditioned avoidance response, motor activity, dopamine-induced pancreatic secretion and apomorphine-induced vomiting. These drugs also had the same order of potency in inducing catalepsy and increasing dopamine turnover and prolactin release. Chlorpromazine, propericiazine and thiothixene were intermediate in potency. Zotepine equalled chlorpromazine in most activities, however, it was clearly less active than chlorpromazine in potentiation of barbiturate sleep and cardiovascular effect.