Sometimes, no matter how much medicine we take, the nausea and vomiting we experience will not subside, right? Or there are times when we vomit repeatedly and our body feels very uncomfortable. In such a situation, a doctor may decide to give you an injection. Most of the time, it may be a medicine called Prochlorperazine. Some people know this by the brand name Compazine. So today, let's talk about this medicine, because it is very important for you to know about it.
What is this medicine called Prochlorperazine?
Simply put, Prochlorperazine is a medication that is mainly used to control conditions like vomiting and nausea . There is a part of our brain that sends signals to make us vomit. What this medication does is stop those signals. It's like muting the sound on the TV.
But it has another use. Sometimes this drug is also used to treat schizophrenia, a mental illness. It works by balancing the levels of a chemical in the brain called dopamine. This dopamine is what helps control our mood, behavior, and thoughts.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
It is essential for your doctor to know your medical history before prescribing this medicine. This is very important , as this medicine may interact with some medical conditions. So, if you have any of the following, do not hide it from your doctor.
- A condition like intestinal obstruction .
- If you have a brain tumor.
- A memory-related disease like dementia.
- Diabetes .
- Difficulty swallowing.
- If you are a frequent drinker.
- Glaucoma (high pressure in the eye).
- Difficulty controlling muscles.
- If you have recently had a head injury.
- A history of heart disease or irregular heartbeat.
- Liver diseases.
- Conditions that cause a decrease in white blood cells, red blood cells, or platelets in the blood.
- If you have low blood pressure .
- Lung or breathing diseases (e.g. asthma).
- Parkinson's disease.
- Prostate diseases.
- Seizures or convulsions.
- Difficulty urinating.
- If you have an allergy to this Prochlorperazine medicine or any other medicine, food, or dye.
- If you are pregnant or trying to get pregnant.
- If you are a mother who is breastfeeding .
Don't be afraid to tell me you have something like this. The doctor is asking for these details for your safety.
How to use the medicine and what to do if it increases?
This is not a medicine you can take home. A doctor or nurse will inject it into a muscle or vein in a hospital or clinic. So you don't need to worry about that.
This medicine is also given to children over 2 years of age in some special cases, but with great caution and under medical supervision.
What do you do if the dose is too high?
This is given in a hospital setting, so the chances of this happening are low. However, if you think you have taken too much of this medicine, inform the hospital staff immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . It is best to go to a hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) as soon as possible.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
It is very important to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking. Some medications can react with Prochlorperazine and cause dangerous conditions.
| Do not take Prochlorperazine with this medicine. | |
|---|---|
| Cisapride | Dofetilide |
| Dronedarone | Metoclopramide |
| Pimozide | Saquinavir |
| Thioridazine | |
| Be especially careful when taking Prochlorperazine with this medicine. | |
|---|---|
| Alcohol | Allergy, cough and cold medicines |
| Medicines for stomach aches like Atropine, Dicyclomine, Hyoscyamine | Medications for depression, anxiety, or sleep |
| Medicines for bladder problems (e.g. Oxybutynin) | Medicines for motion sickness (e.g. Scopolamine) |
| Epinephrine, Propranolol, and blood pressure medications | General anesthetics |
| Medications such as Levodopa for Parkinson's disease | Lithium |
| Antiepileptic drugs (e.g. Phenobarbital, Phenytoin) | Painkillers (especially opioids) |
| Blood thinners such as Warfarin | Medicines given to relax muscles during surgery |
Things to keep in mind while taking the medicine
- Drowsiness and alertness: This medication may make you feel drowsy and dizzy . So, do not do anything that requires alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, until you know how it affects you.
- Body temperature: This medicine may make it difficult for your body to regulate its temperature. It may reduce your tolerance to extreme cold and extreme heat. So , dress well on cold days . Also, avoid being in the sun on hot days , and drink plenty of water.
- Blood sugar levels: If you have diabetes, this medicine may increase your blood sugar levels. Therefore, it is important to check your blood sugar levels regularly.
- Be careful in the sun: This medication may make your skin sensitive to the sun. Therefore, if you are going to be in the sun, wear clothing that covers your skin and use sunscreen.
- Dry mouth: Dry mouth is common. This can be controlled by chewing sugar-free gum and drinking plenty of water.
What are the possible side effects?
| Type of side effect | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| Side effects that should be reported to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) | This is a dangerous condition. High fever, muscle stiffness, excessive sweating, rapid or irregular heartbeat, and confusion. |
| Extrapyramidal Symptoms (EPS) | Uncontrolled body movements, muscle stiffness or tremors, loss of balance, restlessness. |
| High prolactin levels | Breast discharge, breast enlargement, irregular menstrual cycle. |
| Signs of infection | Fever, chills, cough, sore throat. |
| Low blood pressure | Dizziness, fainting, blurred vision. |
| Things that are usually common, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Constipation | Dizziness |
| Drowsiness | Dry mouth |
| Pain and redness at the injection site | |
Take-Home Message
- Prochlorperazine is an injection given in a hospital, mainly for vomiting, but it is also used for other conditions.
- Before taking this medicine, it is imperative to inform your doctor about all medical conditions you have and all medications you are taking.
- You may feel drowsy and dizzy after taking the medicine. Therefore, avoid activities that require alertness, especially driving.
- If you experience dangerous side effects such as high fever, muscle stiffness, or confusion, seek medical advice immediately.
- If you have any questions about this medication, never be afraid to ask your doctor.
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