Mellaril belongs to a group of medications called typical (or first-generation)
antipsychotic medications. In particular, it is part of a group of medications called phenothiazines. It is not entirely known precisely how Mellaril works. However, it is known that Mellaril blocks or lessens the effects of dopamine, a chemical in the brain. Dopamine may be elevated in people with
schizophrenia.
Mellaril can be used to treat schizophrenia in children who have not responded well to other treatments. Be sure to talk with your healthcare provider about the benefits and risks of using Mellaril in children.
On occasion, your healthcare provider may recommend Mellaril for treating something other than the condition discussed above. This is called an "
off-label" use. Some examples of off-label Mellaril uses include treatment of the following conditions: