This medication is used to treat severe nausea and
vomiting from certain causes (for example, after surgery or cancer
treatment). Prochlorperazine belongs to a class of drugs known as
phenothiazines.
This medication is not recommended for use in children
younger than 2 years or in children going through surgery.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food as
directed by your doctor, usually 3 to 4 times daily.
The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and
response to treatment. Children's dosage may also be based on weight. Do
not increase your dose or take this medication more often than
directed.
Tell your doctor if your condition lasts or gets
worse.
Drowsiness, dizziness, lightheadedness, blurred vision,
constipation, or dry mouth may occur. If any of these effects last or get
worse, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
To relieve dry mouth, suck on (sugarless) hard candy or
ice chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water, or use a saliva
substitute.
To reduce the risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get
up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.
Remember that this medication has been prescribed
because your doctor has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the
risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious
side effects.
Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side
effects, including:
- nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop
- mental/mood changes (such as agitation, restlessness)
- unusual/uncontrolled movements (such as fixed upward stare,
neck twisting, tongue movements, muscle spasms)
- shaking (tremor)
- difficulty urinating
- enlarged/tender breasts
- unusual breast milk production
- weakness
- easy bleeding/bruising
- signs of infection (such as sore throat that doesn't go away,
fever)
- severe stomach/abdominal pain
- yellowing eyes/skin
Get medical help right away if you have any very serious
side effects, including:
This medication may rarely cause a very serious
condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Get medical help
right away if you have any of the following symptoms:
- fever
- muscle stiffness/pain/tenderness/weakness
- severe tiredness
- severe confusion
- sweating
- fast/irregular heartbeat
- dark urine
- signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of
urine)
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare.
However, get medical help right away if you notice any symptoms of a
serious allergic reaction, including:
- rash
- itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat)
- severe dizziness
- trouble breathing
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If
you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or
pharmacist.
In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at
www.fda.gov/medwatch.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about
side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at
1-866-234-2345.
Before taking prochlorperazine, tell your doctor or
pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other phenothiazines (such as
chlorpromazine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may
contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other
problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or
pharmacist your medical history, especially of:
- breathing problems (such as asthma, chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease-COPD)
- blood/immune system disorders (such as bone marrow
depression)
- high pressure in the eye (glaucoma)
- heart disease (such as irregular heartbeat)
- liver disease
- kidney disease
- certain brain disorders (such as Reye's syndrome,
seizures)
- stomach/intestine problems (such as blockage)
- difficulty urinating (for example, due to enlarged
prostate)
- a certain adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma)
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or blur your
vision. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy.
Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness or clear
vision until you can do it safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages. Talk to your
doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist about
all the products you use (including prescription drugs, nonprescription
drugs, and herbal products).
This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun.
Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use
sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor
right away if you get sunburned or have skin
blisters/redness.
This medication may make you sweat less, making you more
likely to get heat stroke. Avoid doing things that may cause you to
overheat, such as hard work or exercise in hot weather, or using hot tubs.
When the weather is hot, drink a lot of fluids and dress lightly. If you
overheat, quickly look for a place to cool down and rest. Get medical help
right away if you have a fever that does not go away, mental/mood changes,
headache, or dizziness.
Children may be more sensitive to the side effects of
this drug, especially uncontrolled movements. They may be at greater risk
when they are sick (such as having viral infection,
dehydration).
Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects
of this drug, especially low blood pressure, constipation, urinary
problems, and nerve/muscle problems.
During pregnancy, this medication should be used only
when clearly needed. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
Babies born to mothers who have used this drug during the last 3 months of
pregnancy may rarely develop symptoms including muscle stiffness or
shakiness, drowsiness, feeding/breathing difficulties, or constant crying.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your newborn anytime during their
first month, tell the doctor right away.
It is unknown if prochlorperazine passes into breast
milk. However, similar drugs pass into breast milk. Consult your doctor
before breastfeeding.
Drug interactions may change how your medications work
or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not
contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you
use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and
share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the
dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval.
Some products that may interact with this drug
include:
- cabergoline
- dofetilide
- metoclopramide
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking other
products that cause drowsiness such as opioid pain or cough relievers (such
as codeine, hydrocodone), alcohol, marijuana (cannabis), drugs for sleep or
anxiety (such as alprazolam, lorazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants (such
as carisoprodol, cyclobenzaprine), or antihistamines (such as cetirizine,
diphenhydramine).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as allergy
or cough-and-cold products) because they may contain ingredients that cause
drowsiness. Ask your pharmacist about using those products
safely.
This medication may interfere with certain lab tests
(such as phenylketonuria, certain pregnancy tests), possibly causing false
test results. Make sure lab personnel and all your doctors know you use
this drug.
If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such
as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison
control center right away. US residents can call 1-800-222-1222. Canada
residents can call 1-844-764-7669. Symptoms of overdose may include:
mental/mood changes (such as restlessness, agitation), severe drowsiness,
seizures, irregular heartbeat.
Do not share this medication with others.
Lab and/or medical tests may be done while you are
taking this medication. Keep all medical and lab appointments. Consult your
doctor for more details.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If
it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next
dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch
up.
Store at room temperature away from light and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medications away from children and
pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them
into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when
it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste
disposal company.