CHLORPROMAZINE AND PROTRIPTYLINE PHOTOTOXICITY: PHOTOSENSITIZED, OXYGEN INDEPENDENT RED CELL HEMOLYSIS

Abstract—Red blood cell lysis photosensitized by chlorpromazine and protriptyline was investigated. Oxygen independent sensitized photohemolysis was observed with both compounds. When chlorpromazine and protriptyline were irradiated in the absence of red cells, both formed photoproducts which lysed red cells. These results indicate that chlorpromazine and protriptyline represent a new mechanistic class of phototoxic compounds which photosensitize membrane disruption by oxygen independent processes.