Pronunciation: pro-klor-PURR-uh-zeen
Generic Name: Prochlorperazine
Brand Name: Generic only. No brands available.
Prochlorperazine is an antipsychotic. It may increase the risk of death when used to treat mental problems caused by dementia in elderly patients. Most of the deaths were linked to heart problems or infection. Prochlorperazine is not approved to treat mental problems caused by dementia. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.
Prochlorperazine is used for:
Controlling severe nausea and vomiting and treating schizophrenia. It is also used for the short-term treatment of certain types of anxiety. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Prochlorperazine is a phenothiazine. It is not known exactly how it works.
Do NOT use Prochlorperazine if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Prochlorperazine or to other phenothiazines (eg, thioridazine)
- you have severe drowsiness
- you have recently taken large amounts of alcohol or medicines that may cause drowsiness, such as barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital) or narcotic pain medicines (eg, codeine)
- you are taking astemizole, cabergoline, cisapride, dofetilide, metoclopramide, pergolide, terfenadine, or tramadol
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
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Before using Prochlorperazine:
Some medical conditions may interact with Prochlorperazine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have developed severe side effects (eg, blood problems, yellowing of the skin or eyes) while taking another phenothiazine (eg, thioridazine)
- if you have a history of heart problems (eg, angina, mitral valve problems), blood problems (eg, anemia), diabetes, liver problems (eg, cirrhosis), high or low blood pressure, kidney problems, neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), tardive dyskinesia (TD), bone marrow problems (eg, low white blood cell count), an enlarged prostate gland, seizures, trouble urinating, mental or mood problems (eg, depression), or an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma)
- if you have asthma, a lung infection, or other lung or breathing problems (eg, emphysema); or increased pressure in the eyes or glaucoma, or if you are at risk for glaucoma
- if you have Alzheimer disease, dementia, Parkinson disease, or Reye syndrome
- if you have had high blood prolactin levels or a history of certain types of cancer (eg, breast, pancreas, pituitary, brain), or if you are at risk of breast cancer
- if you are in poor health or are regularly exposed to extreme heat or certain insecticides (organophosphorus insecticides)
- if you have a history of alcohol abuse, drink alcohol, or are in alcohol withdrawal
- if you will be having or have recently had a myelogram (x-ray of the spinal cord)
- if you take any medicine that may increase the risk of a certain type of irregular heartbeat (prolonged QT interval). Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are unsure if any of your medicines may increase the risk of this type of irregular heartbeat
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Prochlorperazine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Many prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, 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 disease, seizures, stomach or bowel problems, overactive bladder), multivitamin products, and herbal or dietary supplements (eg, herbal teas, coenzyme Q10, garlic, ginseng, gingko, St. John's wort) may interact with Prochlorperazine. Ask your doctor if you are unsure if any of your medicines may interact with Prochlorperazine
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Prochlorperazine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Prochlorperazine:
Use Prochlorperazine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Prochlorperazine by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
- If you miss a dose of Prochlorperazine and you are taking it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Prochlorperazine.
Important safety information:
- Prochlorperazine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, or blurred vision. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Prochlorperazine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Prochlorperazine may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
- Do NOT take more than the recommended dose without checking with your doctor.
- Do not drink alcohol while you are taking Prochlorperazine.
- Check with your doctor before you use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are taking Prochlorperazine; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
- Do not become overheated in hot weather or while you are being active; heatstroke may occur.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Prochlorperazine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Prochlorperazine may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Prochlorperazine. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
- Prochlorperazine may lower the ability of your body to fight infection. Avoid contact with people who have colds or infections. Tell your doctor if you notice signs of infection like fever, sore throat, rash, or chills.
- Some patients who take Prochlorperazine may develop muscle movements that they cannot control. This is more likely to happen in elderly patients, especially women. The chance that this will happen or that it will become permanent is greater in those who take Prochlorperazine in higher doses or for a long time. Muscle problems may also occur after short-term treatment with low doses. Tell your doctor at once if you have muscle problems with your arms; legs; or your tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (eg, tongue sticking out, puffing of cheeks, mouth puckering, chewing movements) while taking Prochlorperazine.
- NMS is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Prochlorperazine. Symptoms may include fever; stiff muscles; confusion; abnormal thinking; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.
- Prochlorperazine may increase the amount of a certain hormone (prolactin) in your blood. Symptoms may include enlarged breasts, missed menstrual period, decreased sexual ability, or nipple discharge. Contact your doctor right away if you experience any of these symptoms.
- Diabetes patients - Prochlorperazine may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
- Prochlorperazine may cause the results of some pregnancy tests to be wrong. Check with your doctor if you have questions or concerns about your pregnancy test results.
- Prochlorperazine may interfere with certain lab tests, including phenylketonuria (PKU) tests. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Prochlorperazine.
- Lab tests, including liver and kidney function tests, complete blood cell counts, and eye exams, may be performed while you take Prochlorperazine. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
- Use Prochlorperazine with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially confusion; constipation; dizziness or light-headedness, especially upon standing; drowsiness; fainting; trouble urinating; and uncontrolled muscle movements.
- Prochlorperazine should not be used in CHILDREN who are having surgery, who are younger than 2 years old, or who weigh less than 20 pounds; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of taking Prochlorperazine while you are pregnant. Taking Prochlorperazine during the third trimester may result in uncontrolled muscle movements or withdrawal symptoms in the newborn. Discuss any questions or concern with your doctor. Prochlorperazine is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you take Prochlorperazine, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Prochlorperazine:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Agitation; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; enlarged pupils; jitteriness; nausea; stuffy nose.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest or throat; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness; wheezing); chest pain; confusion; decreased coordination; drooling; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; mask-like face; muscle spasms of the face, neck, or back; muscle weakness; new or worsening mental or mood problems; numbness of an arm or leg; prolonged or painful erection; restlessness; seizures; severe or persistent constipation; severe or persistent dizziness, drowsiness, or headache; shuffling walk; sleeplessness; stiff or rigid muscles; sudden shortness of breath or vomiting; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; symptoms of infection (eg, fever, chills, persistent sore throat); symptoms of liver problems (eg, yellowing of the skin or eyes; dark urine; pale stools; severe or persistent nausea, stomach pain, or loss of appetite); tremor; trouble urinating; twisting or twitching movements; uncontrolled muscle movements (eg, twitching of the face or tongue; loss of balance; uncontrolled movements of arms or legs; trouble speaking, breathing, or swallowing); unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual eye movements or inability to move eyes; unusual or excessive sweating; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusually pale skin; vision changes (eg, blurred vision).
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Prochlorperazine side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include agitation; coma; confusion; difficulty breathing; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; loss of consciousness; muscle spasms or uncontrolled muscle movements; restlessness; seizures; severe constipation or stomach pain; severe drowsiness or dizziness; tremors; trouble urinating.
Proper storage of Prochlorperazine:
Store Prochlorperazine at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Prochlorperazine out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Prochlorperazine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Prochlorperazine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Prochlorperazine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Prochlorperazine resources
- Prochlorperazine Side Effects (in more detail)
- Prochlorperazine Dosage
- Prochlorperazine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Prochlorperazine Drug Interactions
- Prochlorperazine Support Group
- 13 Reviews for Prochlorperazine - Add your own review/rating
Compare Prochlorperazine with other medications
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