Prochlorperazine is an anti-sickness medicine. It can be used to stop you being sick or feeling sick. It can help with nausea and vomiting caused by different conditions such as migraines, Meniere’s disease, travel sickness, and morning sickness. Prochlorperazine can also be taken for vertigo.
The active ingredient is prochlorperazine maleate. It’s thought to improve nausea because it blocks the action of a chemical, dopamine, in the brain. This helps prevent the feeling of nausea and vomiting by blocking the activity of dopamine receptors in the area of the brain that initiates nausea.
The dose of prochlorperazine is different depending on the condition being treated. For nausea and vomiting, the usual dose is one or two 5mg tablets two or three times a day.
Prochlorperazine starts to work in around 30 to 60 minutes. It's best not to drink alcohol while taking prochlorperazine. It can increase the chance of side effects, such as feeling sleepy.
If you have missed your dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the usual time. Never take 2 doses at the same time. Taking too much prochlorperazine can be dangerous.
Always use this medication exactly as your clinician has told you. Check with our clinical team or your GP or pharmacist if you are not sure.
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Just because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
Some common side effects include:
● dry mouth
● constipation
● dizziness
● blurred vision
● drowsiness
Other uncommon side effects include:
● fatigue
● insomnia
● low blood pressure
● fainting
● increased sensitivity to sunlight
● increased blood sugar level
● jaundice
● impotence and other erectile problems
● muscle tremors
● abnormal movements of the tongue or face
There is also a possibility of rare but serious side effects. This includes a severe allergic reaction that can cause swelling of the face, lips and tongue and lead to breathing problems. Other serious problems include blood problems like leukopenia and a side effect called neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
If you are concerned about these effects, or if the product affects you in any other way, stop using it and talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Prochlorperazine tablets are unsuitable for you if:
● You may be allergic to prochlorperazine maleate or any of the tablets’ inactive ingredients
● You have problems with the blood, liver or prostate gland
● You suffer from glaucoma, epilepsy, or Parkinson’s disease.
Before taking prochlorperazine tablets, consult your doctor if:
● You are at high risk for a blood clot or stroke
● You have a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis
● You have HIV or AIDS.
There's no evidence that prochlorperazine will harm your baby, but for safety it's best to take it for the shortest possible time.
Prochlorperazine passes into breast milk in small amounts. Talk to your doctor, as other medicines might be better while you're breastfeeding.
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to this medication. These include:
● Hives
● Dizziness
● Fast or pounding heartbeats
● Wheezing
● Difficult breathing
● Swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
It is important that you let us know which prescription, over-the-counter medicines and recreational drugs you are currently taking. You must also tell us about any other medical conditions that you currently have (or had in the past). This will help us ensure the prescribed medication is safe and appropriate for you to take.
For full information on warnings, medication interactions and contraindications, refer to the Patient Information Leaflet. Please read all packaging and the Patient Information Leaflet before taking any new medicine and inform our clinical team or your GP of medicines you are taking or intend to take.
