What does it do?

Prochlorperazine is used to treat and prevent nausea, vomiting and dizziness. It is also sometimes used for other conditions.

Before you start

• Tell your doctor if you have liver, heart, bowel, prostate or bladder problems.
• Tell your doctor if you have Parkinson’s disease (or any other movement disorder), angle-closure glaucoma, if you have ever had a seizure, or experienced strange body movements with another medicine.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.

How should you take it?

Take prochlorperazine as directed.
Take prochlorperazine tablets with a glass of water.
Remove the wrapper before inserting the suppositories into the rectum.

What if you forget a dose?

Should an occasional dose be missed it need not be taken later.

Can you take other medicines?

Some medicines available without a prescription may react with prochlorperazine including:

• some antihistamines or anti-nausea medicines such as promethazine (e.g. Phenergan®), hyoscine (e.g. Scopoderm®), meclozine (e.g. Sea-legs®)
• other medicines that may cause drowsiness (e.g. pain-killers, anti-nausea and cough/cold medicines – ask your pharmacist)
• antacids (e.g. Mylanta®) - do not take these within two hours of taking prochlorperazine.

Tell your pharmacist or doctor about all medicines or treatments that you may be taking, including vitamins, herbal products (e.g. sleeping aids) or recreational drugs.

What side effects might you notice?

Side Effects	Recommended action
Face or neck muscle spasm, unusual eye movements Feeling restless, strange or uncontrolled movements, tremor, stiffness Fast or irregular heartbeat	Tell your doctor immediately
Confusion Skin rash	Tell your doctor
Dry mouth, blurred vision, constipation or trouble peeing (anticholinergic effects) Dizziness, drowsiness Anal irritation with suppository use	Tell your doctor if troublesome

If you notice any other effects, discuss them with your doctor or pharmacist.

Other information:

• Prochlorperazine can impair your ability to do tasks such as driving or using machines. Alcohol makes this worse. Discuss your risk with your health professional. (search NZTA - Are you safe to drive?)
• Protect yourself from too much sunlight while being treated with prochlorperazine. Always cover up and apply a thick layer of broad spectrum sunscreen (at least SPF 30) when outside. Do not use sunbeds.