Tag: Drug misnomer

Discovered in 1950, chlorpromazine was the first antipsychotic medication, revolutionizing psychiatric care by treating conditions like schizophrenia. The question, “What does purple Man do?” in the context of pharmacology is not a reference to a specific person but a fascinating misnomer tied to this historical and vividly-colored medication. It all relates to the unique properties and side effects of chlorpromazine and its class, the phenothiazines.

While there is no specific medication officially named an 'alu pill', search data indicates the term often refers to over-the-counter antacids containing aluminum hydroxide, such as those sold under the brand names Alu-Cap or Alu-Tab. This article clarifies the likely origin of this misnomer and details the pharmaceutical products it most likely represents.