Prochlorperazine Description

Generic Name : PROCHLORPERAZINE

Pronunciation : (proe klor per' a zeen)

Trade Name(s) : Emidoxyn, Stemetil, Stemetil INJ

Why it is prescribed: Prochlorperazine is a tranquilizer used to treat emotional and mental conditions. It also controls nausea and vomiting caused by radiation therapy, cancer chemotherapy, surgery, and various conditions.

When it is to be taken: Prochlorperazine usually is taken three or four times a day. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor to explain any part that you do not understand. Prochlorperazine start to work in 30 to 40 minutes and goes on working for three to four hours.

How it should be taken: Prochlorperazine comes in the form of tablets, long-acting capsules, oral liquid, and rectal suppositories. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. Do not open extended-release capsules; swallow them whole. You may obtain a specially marked measuring spoon to be sure of an accurate dose of liquid. Do not allow the liquid to touch your skin; it can cause irritation. To insert a rectal suppository, follow these steps:
1. If the suppository feels soft, hold it under cold, running water for one minute. Then remove the wrapper.
2. Dip the tip of the suppository in water.
3. Lie down on your left side and raise your right knee to your chest.
4. Using your finger, insert the suppository into the rectum, about 1/2 to 1 inch in infants and children and 1 inch in adults.
5. Hold it in place for a few moments. You may stand up after about 15 minutes.
6. Wash your hands thoroughly and resume your normal activities.

Special Instruction :
1. Prochlorperazine can cause drowsiness. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
2. Although prochlorperazine is not habit-forming, do not stop taking it abruptly, especially if you have been taking it for a long time. Your doctor probably will want to decrease your dose gradually.
3. Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your dose may need to be adjusted occasionally, especially when you first take this drug. You also should have eye examinations periodically if you take prochlorperazine for a long time.
4. If you forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and make any remaining doses for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose at the time you are scheduled to take the next dose, take only the regularly scheduled one. Do not take a double dose.

Side Effects :
1. Drowsiness. This effect usually disappears after you have taken prochlorperazine for a few weeks.
2. Jaw, neck, and back muscle spasms; fine worm-like tongue movements; rhythmic face, mouth, or jaw movements; slow or difficult speech; difficulty swallowing; tremors; shuffling walk; drooling; inability to sit still; slow, jerky movements; sore throat; fever; skin rash; yellow skin; weakness. Contact your doctor.

Other Precautions :
1. Do not give this drug to children younger than 16 years of age with symptoms of Reye's Syndrome.
2. Do not give prochlorperazine more often or give more at each dose to a child than as directed. Children are more prone to side effects than adults.
3. Before you take prochlorperazine, tell your doctor if you ever had a bad reaction to insulin, shock therapy, or any other tranquilizer or if you are pregnant or breast-feeding. If you become pregnant, notify your doctor promptly.
4. Before you take prochlorperazine, tell your doctor if you have heart, liver, or kidney disease; glaucoma; an enlarged prostate; difficulty urinating; asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or lung disease; or a history of seizures.
5. Before taking prochlorperazine, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially lithium, seizure medication, sedatives, sleeping pills, narcotics, muscle relaxants, antihistamines, and medication for depression, Parkinson's disease, hay fever, allergies, or colds.
6. Before having surgery, including dental surgery, with a general anesthetic, tell the doctor that you take prochlorperazine.
7. Prochlorperazine can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Stay out of the sun when possible and wear protective clothing, a sunscreen preparation, and sunglasses. Avoid exposure to extremem heat or cold.
8. Prochlorperazine decreases your ability to regulate body temperature, resulting in overheating or severe chilling.
9. Do not swim in extremely cold water.
10. Alcohol adds to the drowsiness caused by prochlorperazine. Limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages.
11. Do not allow anyone else to take this medication.

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children.
2. Store it at room temperature.
3. A slight yellowish discoloration does not change the liquid's effectiveness, but do not use it if it is greatly discolored or if material settles to the bottom of the bottle.