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Prochlorperazine for Nausea (Pt. Info.)
Other names: Stemetil®
- Prochlorperazine is a prescription drug that is used to stop or reduce nausea or vomiting caused by cancer chemotherapy. It can be given by injection, taken by mouth, or taken as a rectal suppository. Prochlorperazine may be used alone or with other antinausea medications.
- Take the prochlorperazine tablet with a glass of fluid (such as water or fruit juice). It may be taken with food or on an empty stomach.
- If tablets and rectal suppositories have been prescribed for you, use the suppositories if you are vomiting.
- Prochlorperazine tablets take 30-60 minutes to become fully effective.
- Prochlorperazine is usually taken every 4-6 hours. It is best to use prochlorperazine regularly for the first 1 to 3 days after chemotherapy. How long you use it will depend on your treatment and how you react to it.
- When you feel the nausea is no longer present, try cutting out one dose during the day. Continue to reduce the doses and stop completely if the nausea does not return. If you start to feel nauseated, take prochlorperazine regularly for the rest of the day.
- Store prochlorperazine at room temperature in the container it was dispensed in, out of the reach of children, away from heat, light and moisture.
- Other drugs that cause drowsiness may interact with prochlorperazine. Check with your doctor or pharmacist before you start taking any new drugs.
- The drinking of alcohol (in small amounts) will not affect the safety or usefulness of prochlorperazine. However, drowsiness caused by prochlorperazine may be increased, sometimes dramatically.
- Side effects are temporary and usually stop within a day of finishing prochlorperazine. Contact your doctor or pharmacist if you find the side effects troublesome. Often they can be reduced by adjusting your dose.
| SIDE EFFECTS |
MANAGEMENT |
| Drowsiness is common. It should decrease after a day or two of use. |
- Do not drive or operate machinery if you feel drowsy or less alert than usual.
- Avoid alcohol. It may make you more drowsy or dizzy.
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| Dizziness may happen if you stand or rise quickly. |
- Get out of bed slowly, dangle your feet over the edge of the bed for a minute or two before rising.
- Use guardrails on staircase.
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| You may feel restless or have muscle spasms (less common) particularly involving the face and neck muscles. |
- Take diphenhydramine (Benadryl®) 25 mg every 4 hours to control muscle spasms.
- If severe spasms occur (uncommon) stop taking prochlorperazine and go to the nearest Emergency Department to get diphenhydramine by injection.
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| Dry mouth may occur. |
- Suck on hard, sour candies or some ice chips.
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| Blurred vision may occur. |
- Try using artificial tears if you find your eyes are dry.
- Avoid using contact lenses while you are taking prochlorperazine.
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CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR IF ANY OF THE FOLLOWING CONTINUE OR BOTHER YOU:
- Uncontrolled nausea or vomiting.
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