Prochlorperazine is used to treat nausea, vomiting, and vertigo (dizziness with sensations of spinning).
This medicine is also used to help manage mental disorders such as schizophrenia (long-term mental disorder that causes changes in thoughts, feelings, and behaviour) and mania (a state of very high level of activity or energy, mood or behaviour).
Prochlorperazine may also be used together with other medicines to treat anxiety for a short period of time.
Take Prochlorperazine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type of your condition and your response to the medication.
If you are being treated for mental disorders, Prochlorperazine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
If you are taking Prochlorperazine on a regular basis, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Alert your doctor if you have bone marrow depression (a condition in which the blood cells are low) as Prochlorperazine may not be suitable for you.
Do not give this medicine to individuals who are unconscious or in a coma (a state of loss of consciousness for a long period of time).
Prochlorperazine may not be suitable for you if you are drinking large amounts of alcohol or taking medicines that can cause drowsiness or affect your concentration.
Do not give this medicine to children below 2 years old or weighing less than 9 kg unless instructed to do so by the doctor.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- heart problem or disease e.g. prolonged QT interval (heart rhythm disorder)
- low potassium level in the blood
- paralytic ileus (bowel obstruction caused by slow movement or paralysis of the intestines)
- underactive thyroid gland
- Parkinson's disease (a disorder that affects the movement of a person, causing symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and impaired balance or walking)
- myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness disorder)
- phaeochromocytoma (a rare tumour of the adrenal gland causing high blood pressure)
- eye problem or condition e.g. glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
- current or history of epilepsy (fits or seizures)
- history of stroke
- history of low white blood cell count
- diabetes
- prostate enlargement
- inability to completely empty the bladder when urinating
- Reye's syndrome (a rare condition that causes swelling in the brain and liver)
- kidney disease
- liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Prochlorperazine to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. complete blood count, liver function, cholesterol, blood sugar or electrolyte levels, eye examination) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Regular monitoring of signs and symptoms of abnormal involuntary movements, changes in menstruation and sexual function, and vision changes may also be needed.
What lifestyle changes should I make?
Prochlorperazine may affect the ability of your body to adjust to temperature changes in the environment. Avoid exposure to very cold or very hot environments. Avoid strenuous exercise and activities like going to the sauna. Drink more water to prevent dehydration.
Prochlorperazine may cause drowsiness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.
This medicine may cause your blood pressure to fall suddenly when you get up from a sitting or lying down position and you may feel giddy. To minimise this problem, stand up slowly.
This medicine may also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Apply sunscreen when going outdoors and avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV lamps.
Other side effects include any of the following: constipation, dry mouth, blurred vision, dry eye, dizziness, stuffy nose, and difficulty sleeping.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- fast or abnormal heartbeat, chest pain or pressure
- muscle stiffness or cramps, fever, severe headache, confusion, changes in thinking, excessive sweating
- frequent sore throat, mouth sores, fever, chills or sweating
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- twitching, trouble controlling body movements, trouble speaking or swallowing, changes in balance
- changes in eyesight
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Do not take Prochlorperazine if you are taking large amounts of any medicines that can cause drowsiness or affect your concentration.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines for mood disorder e.g. lithium
- medicines used to treat Parkinson's disease e.g. levodopa
- medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. quinidine, disopyramide, amiodarone, sotalol
- medicines for high blood pressure e.g. guanethidine, clonidine
- medicines for cancer
- medicines to treat depression e.g. amitriptyline
- certain antibiotics e.g. erythromycin
- antacids (medicines that neutralise stomach acids)
- carbamazepine (medicine for fits or seizures)
- deferoxamine (medicine used to remove excess iron in the blood)
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Prochlorperazine.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from light.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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