Prochlorperazine: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What drug is Prochlorperazine?

What is prochlorperazine for?

Prochlorperazine is a drug used to treat nausea and vomiting from a certain cause (for example, after surgery or cancer treatment). Prochlorperazine belongs to a class of drugs known as phenothiazines.

This medicine is not recommended for use in children younger than 2 years of age or in children going through surgery.

How to use rectal prochlorperazine

Open and insert one rectal suppository as directed by your doctor, usually 2 times a day. Remain lying down for a few minutes after using this medicine, and avoid having a bowel movement for an hour or more to allow the medicine to be absorbed. Suppositories are used rectally only.

Dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to treatment. In children, dosage is also based on body weight. Do not increase your dose or use this medication more often than directed.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists or gets worse.

How is prochlorperazine used?

Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may change your dose from time to time to ensure that you get the best results.

If you are taking Prochlorperazine for a long time, you may need frequent medical tests.

If you have to have an x-ray or CT scan of your spine using a dye injected into a vein, you may need to temporarily stop using Prochlorperazine. Make sure your doctor knows when to use this drug.

Do not stop using Prochlorperazine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms. Ask your doctor how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when you stop using Prochlorperazine.

How is prochlorperazine stored?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines out of reach of children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Prochlorperazine dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of prochlorperazine for adults?

Adult Dose for Nausea / Vomiting
Severe nausea and vomiting:
Tablets: 5 to 10 mg 3 to 4 times a day.

Capsules: 15 mg at each relapse or 10 mg capsules every 12 hours. Daily oral doses above 40 mg should be used only in resistant cases.

Rectal: 25 mg twice daily.

IM: 5 to 10 mg. If necessary, repeat every 3 to 4 hours. The total IM dose should not exceed 40 mg / day.

Infusion: 2 1/2 to 10 mg by slow injection or infusion at a rate not exceeding 5 mg / minute.

A single dose of the drug should not exceed 10 mg. The total infusion dose should not exceed 40 mg / day.

Adult surgery (for severe nausea and vomiting):
IM: 5 to 10 mg injection 1 to 2 hours before induction of anesthesia (repeat once every 30 minutes, if necessary), or to control acute symptoms during and after surgery (repeat once if necessary).

Infusion: 5 to 10 mg as a slow infusion injection or infusion 15 to 30 minutes before induction of anesthesia, or to control acute symptoms during or after surgery. Repeat one more time if necessary. A single dose of the drug should not exceed 10 mg. The level of use should not exceed 5 mg / minute.

Adult Dose for Anxiety
Non-psychotic anxiety:
Tablets: 5 mg 3 to 4 times a day.

Capsules: 15 mg at each relapse or 10 mg every 12 hours.

Do not use at doses greater than 20 mg / day or for longer than 12 weeks.

Adult Dose for Psychosis
Mild psychotic disorders:
5 to 10 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day.

Moderate to severe psychotic disorders:
Oral: 10 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day. Increase the dose every 2 to 3 days until symptoms are controlled or side effects become worse. Some patients get enough 50 to 75 mg / day. In more severe disorders, the optimum dose is usually 100 to 150 mg / day.

IM: For immediate control of severe adults, inject a starting dose of 10 to 20 mg into the buttocks. Many patients experience the effects after the first injection. If necessary, repeat the initial dose every 2 to 4 hours (or, in resistant cases, every hour) to keep the patient under control. Doses greater than 3 or 4 are rarely needed. After control is achieved, change the drug for the patient to the oral form and the same or higher dose. If the patient is in rare cases, parenteral therapy will be needed for a long time, give this drug 10 to 20 mg every 4 to 6 hours.

What is the dose of prochlorperazine for children?

Children appear to be more susceptible to developing extrapyramidal reactions, even at moderate doses. Therefore, for children use the lowest effective dose.

In what dosage is prochlorperazine available?

Tablets: 5mg 10 mg
Capsules: 10 mg 15 mg
Vial (Small Bottle): 2 mL (5 mg / mL) 10 mL (5 mg / mL)
Suppositories: 2.5 mg 5 mg 25 mg
Syrup: 5 mg / 5 mL

Prochlorperazine side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to prochlorperazine?

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Prochlorperazine and call your doctor if you have serious side effects such as:

• twitching or uncontrollable movement of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs
• tremor (uncontrollable shaking), saliva, difficulty swallowing, problems with balance or walking
• feeling restless, nervous, and confused
• high fever, muscle stiffness, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven heartbeat, fast breathing
• feeling like you might pass out
• seizures
• weakened night vision, tunnel vision, watery eyes, increased sensitivity to light
• nausea and stomach pain, skin rash, and jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
• pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, fever, sore throat, flu symptoms
• urinating less than usual or not at all
• joint pain or swelling with fever, swollen glands, muscle pain, chest pain, vomiting, unusual experiences or behaviors, and even skin tone
• slowed heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, breathing slows down (breathing may stop).

Milder side effects include:

• dizziness, drowsiness, restlessness
• sleep problems (insomnia), strange dreams
• dry mouth, stuffy nose
• blurred vision
• constipation
• swollen or oozing breasts
• missed menstrual periods
• weight gain, swelling in the hands or feet
• impotence, problems having an orgasm
• mild itching or skin rash or
• headache.

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Prochlorperazine Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using prochlorperazine?

Several medical conditions can interact with Prochlorperazine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially the following:

• if you are taking any over-the-counter or non-prescription medications, herbal preparations, or dietary supplements
• if you have an allergy to drugs, food, or other substances
• if you have experienced serious side effects (for example, blood problems, yellowing of the skin or eyes) while using other phenothiazines (for example, thioridazine)
• if you have a history of heart problems (for example, angina, mitral valve problems), blood problems (for example, anemia), diabetes, liver problems (for example, cirrhosis), high or low blood pressure, kidney problems, malignant neuroleptic syndrome (NMS), tardive dyskinesia (TD), bone marrow problems (for example, low white blood cell count), enlarged prostate gland, seizures, difficulty urinating, mental or mood problems (for example, depression), or an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma)
• if you have asthma, a lung infection, or other lung or breathing problems (for example, emphysema) or increased pressure in your eyes or glaucoma, or if you are at risk for glaucoma
• if you have Alzheimer's disease, dementia, Parkinson's disease, or Reye's syndrome
• if you have high blood prolactin levels or a history of certain types of cancer (for example, breast, pancreas, pituitary, brain), or if you are at risk for breast cancer
• if you are in poor health or are regularly exposed to extreme heat or certain insecticides (organophosphate insecticides)
• if you have a history of alcohol abuse, drink alcohol, or are on alcohol withdrawal
• if you will have or recently had a myelogram (x-ray of the spinal cord)
• if you are taking medications that can increase your risk of certain types of irregular heartbeats (prolonged QT interval). Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure if you have drugs that can increase the risk of causing irregular heartbeats.

Is prochlorperazine safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There is not yet sufficient information about the safety of using this medicine during pregnancy and breastfeeding. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication.

Prochlorperazine Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with prochlorperazine?

Several drugs can interact with Prochlorperazine. Tell your doctor if you are taking other medications, especially any of the following:

Many prescription and nonprescription drugs (for example, are used for allergies, blood clotting problems, cancer, infections, inflammation, aches and pains, heart problems, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, irregular heartbeat, mental or mood problems, nausea or vomiting, Parkinson's disease, convulsions, stomach or bowel problems, overactive bladder), multivitamin products, and herbal or dietary supplements (for example, herbal teas, coenzyme Q10, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, St. John's wort) may interact with Prochlorperazine. Ask your doctor if you are not sure if you have drugs that can interact with Prochlorperazine

Can food or alcohol interact with prochlorperazine?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with prochlorperazine?

Any other health conditions you have can affect the use of this drug. Always tell your doctor if you have other health problems.

Prochlorperazine overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Overdose symptoms may include:

• restless
• difficulty sleeping or sleeping
• blank facial expression
• drooling
• uncontrollable shaking from several parts of the body
• shuffling around
• drowsiness
• coma (loss of consciousness for a period of time)
• seizures
• irregular heartbeat
• fever
• dry mouth
• constipation

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.