Prochlorperazine
Description
Prochlorperazine is an antipsychotic medicine that is used to relieve nausea and vomiting and that also controls the symptoms of schizophrenia. This medicine should be started at low doses and the dose should be increased gradually. Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly without informing the doctor since this may cause withdrawal symptoms.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Prochlorperazine
- Low white blood cell count
- Drowsiness
- Tremors
- Constipation
- Dry mouth
- Decreased body movements
- Irregular heartbeat
- Anxiety
- Weakness
- Skin rash
Uses of Prochlorperazine
What is it prescribed for?
- Schizophrenia
- Nausea and vomiting
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of this medicine can be observed in 10 to 20 minutes after an intramuscular dose, 30 to 40 minutes after an intravenous and an oral dose, and 60 minutes after a rectal dose.
- Duration of effectThe effect of this medicine lasts for an average duration of 3 to 4 hours after an oral dose and an intramuscular dose, 3 to 12 hours after a rectal dose, and 10 to 12 hours after an extended release tablet.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended with this medicine due to an increase in the risk of dizziness, seizures, and irregular heartbeats. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating machinery while receiving this medicine.
- Is it habit forming?No habit forming tendency has been reported.
- Usage in pregnancy?This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women except in very serious cases where potential benefits outweigh the risks. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before receiving this medicine.
Allergy
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with a known allergy to Prochlorperazine or other medicines of the class phenothiazines.
Severe central nervous system depression
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with severe central nervous system depression due to an increased risk of serious adverse effects.
Pediatric patients
This medicine is not recommended for use in children less than 2 years of age and weight less than 9 kg.
Pediatric patients
This medicine is not recommended to control nausea and vomiting in pediatric patients who are undergoing surgery.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnant women except in very serious cases where potential benefits outweigh the risks. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before taking this medicine.
Breast-feeding
This medicine is not recommended for use in breastfeeding women unless absolutely necessary. Discuss all the risks and benefits with your doctor before receiving this medicine.
General warnings
Tardive dyskinesia
Prochlorperazine may cause involuntary movements of tongue, lips, and face. Inform the doctor on priority if symptoms like these appear. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative should be done based on the clinical condition.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome
Prochlorperazine should be discontinued immediately if the patient develops Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome characterized by an increase in the body temperature, muscle rigidity, altered consciousness.
Blood cells count
Prochlorperazine may reduce the blood cell count, especially WBCs (neutrophils). Any symptoms of fever or weakness during the treatment should be reported to the doctor on priority. Appropriate dose adjustments or replacement with a suitable alternative should be done based on the clinical condition.
Missed Dose
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up for the missed dose.
Overdose
Seek emergency medical treatment or contact the doctor in case of an overdose.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
Concurrent use of ethanol and phenothiazines may result in additive CNS depression and psychomotor impairment
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended with this medicine due to an increase in the risk of dizziness, seizures, and irregular heartbeats. It is advised that you do not perform any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating machinery while receiving this medicine.
Interaction with Medicine
Tramadol
Quinidine
Antidiabetic medicines
Antihypertensives
Disease interactions
Dementia
This medicine is not recommended for use in patients with dementia-related psychosis since it increases the risk of life-threatening conditions like heart failure and infectious diseases like pneumonia. An alternate medicine should be considered based on the clinical condition.
Cardiovascular disease
This medicine is known to lower the blood pressure and may cause dizziness after the first dose of injection. It should be used with caution in patients with a history of heart diseases or active heart disease. Close monitoring of blood pressure and heart function is necessary while receiving this medicine.
Parkinson's disease
This medicine may cause pseudo-parkinsonian symptoms such as slow body movements, tremors, pill-rolling motion, postural abnormalities, and gait abnormalities. Hence, this medicine should be used with caution in patients with Parkinson's disease. Report any worsening of your condition to the doctor on priority.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Prochlorperazine as advised by the doctor. Do not consume larger amounts than prescribed. Inform the doctor if you experience any undesirable effects. Do not stop taking the medicine without consulting your doctor since abrupt stopping of the medicine may cause withdrawal symptoms.
Miscelleneous
How it works
It works by binding to the receptors and blocking the release of chemical substances that cause psychotic symptoms and nausea and vomiting.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Phenothiazine antipsychotics
Schedule
Schedule H
Prochlorperazine - DrugBank [Internet]. Drugbank.ca. 2017 [cited 18 July 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. 2017 [cited 18 July 2017]. Available from:
Prochlorperazine: MedlinePlus Drug Information [Internet]. Medlineplus.gov. 2017 [cited 18 July 2017]. Available from:
DailyMed - Prochlorperazine maleate tablet [Internet]. Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 18 July 2017]. Available from:
Prescribing medicines in pregnancy database [Internet]. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA). 2017 [cited 18 July 2017]. Available from:
[Internet]. Toxnet.nlm.nih.gov. 2017 [cited 18 July 2017]. Available from:
Information on this page was last updated on 8 Jan 2018
Disclaimer
We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Practo only provides reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Practo does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided above. If you have any doubts about your medication then we strongly recommend that you consult with your doctor, nurse or healthcare provider. See detailed T&C here.