Prochlorperazine Maleate
About Prochlorperazine Maleate
Prochlorperazine Maleate is a prescription medicine primarily used to treat severe nausea and vomiting. It is also highly effective in managing vertigo, which is a spinning sensation often linked to inner ear balance issues. Additionally, healthcare providers may sometimes prescribe it for the short-term control of severe anxiety.
For best results, take Prochlorperazine Maleate exactly as prescribed by your doctor, keeping your daily dosing schedule consistent. This oral medication can be taken with or without food, though taking it with a meal or milk can prevent stomach upset. Simple daily adjustments, such as drinking plenty of fluids and eating small, bland meals, can also support your recovery.
Mild side effects such as slight hand shakiness, a faster heartbeat, or mild stomach upset may occur and often improve as your body adjusts. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop severe chest pain, a very irregular heartbeat, difficulty breathing, or signs of a serious allergic reaction.
Tell your doctor before starting this medicine if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, an overactive thyroid, or allergies to any of its ingredients. This medicine may also interact with certain blood pressure medicines, and antidepressants.
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Prochlorperazine Maleate, because the combination can make you dangerously sleepy and dizzy. It is also important to tell your doctor if you smoke or take sleeping pills, as these can affect how the medicine works. If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or an older adult, talk to your doctor or pharmacist to make sure this treatment is safe for you.
Uses of Prochlorperazine Maleate
• Managing Nausea and Vomiting: Prochlorperazine Maleate is frequently used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting caused by conditions such as chemotherapy, surgery, or motion sickness. It effectively reduces these unpleasant sensations.
• Relieving Vertigo Symptoms: Prochlorperazine Maleate is particularly effective in managing vertigo, often linked to inner ear issues. It helps ease dizziness and spinning sensations associated with the condition.
• Treating Psychotic Disorders: Prochlorperazine Maleate is used in addressing certain psychotic disorders by influencing neurotransmitter balance in the brain. It aids in alleviating symptoms like agitation and confusion in patients with severe mental health conditions.
• Providing Anxiety Relief: Prochlorperazine Maleate can also be prescribed for managing anxiety, offering a calming effect, especially for those experiencing physical symptoms like nausea due to stress.
• Enhancing Combination Therapy: Prochlorperazine Maleate may be part of combination treatments for schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, amplifying the effectiveness of other therapies.
Medicinal Benefits
This medicine helps control nausea and vomiting, relieve vertigo, and calm the nervous system. Its benefits include:
- Helps control severe nausea and vomiting, allowing you to stay hydrated and nourished.
- Relieves dizziness, spinning sensations, and balance problems caused by vertigo.
- Helps improve stability and reduces the risk of falls associated with balance disorders.
- Provides short-term calming effects that may help reduce anxiety and physical tension.
- Helps improve comfort and supports a faster recovery from illness.
- Enables you to carry out daily activities more comfortably by reducing troublesome symptoms.
Directions for Use
- Prochlorperazine Maleate can be taken with or without food, as advised by your doctor.
- Follow your doctor's instructions on the dosage and timing of this medication to ensure safety.
- Place Prochlorperazine Maleate on your tongue and allow it to dissolve completely.
- Do not swallow as a whole, crush, chew, or break it.
- Make sure your hands are dry before handling Prochlorperazine Maleate.
Storage
Side Effects of Prochlorperazine Maleate
Common Side Effects (Usually mild):
- Drowsiness, sleepiness, or feeling tired
- Dry mouth
- Stuffy or dry nose
- Mild dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when standing up quickly
Serious Side Effects (Call a doctor right away):
- Unusual stiffness, muscle spasms, or uncontrollable shaking (tremors)
- Uncontrollable movements of the tongue, face, mouth, or jaw
- Sudden high fever, severe muscle stiffness, rapid breathing, and sweating
- Yellowing of the eyes or skin (signs of liver damage)
- Signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as skin rash, itching, hives, or swelling of the face, lips, or throat
Medicines Containing this Salt
View AllDrug Warnings
- Avoid driving or operating machinery: Do not drive, operate heavy machinery, or perform hazardous activities until you know how Prochlorperazine Maleate affects you, as it may cause significant drowsiness.
- Avoid alcohol: Do not drink alcohol while taking this medicine, as it can increase drowsiness, dizziness, and other sedative effects.
- Protect your skin from sunlight: This medicine may increase your sensitivity to sunlight. Use sunscreen, wear protective clothing, and avoid prolonged sun exposure.
- Inform your healthcare providers: Tell your doctor, dentist, or surgeon that you are taking Prochlorperazine Maleate before any medical or dental procedure.
- Watch for unusual muscle movements: Contact your doctor immediately if you notice involuntary muscle movements, twitching, or spasms, especially around the mouth, face, or eyes.
- Long-term use: Using this medicine for prolonged periods may increase the risk of tardive dyskinesia, a condition causing involuntary muscle movements. Report any unusual facial, tongue, or body movements to your doctor promptly.
- Do not stop suddenly: If you have been taking this medicine regularly for an extended period, do not stop it without medical advice. Your doctor will tell you whether your treatment should be reduced gradually.
Drug Interactions
- Sedatives, sleeping pills, and opioids: Taking these with Prochlorperazine Maleate can severely increase drowsiness, slow your breathing, and lower your reaction times.
- Parkinson's medications: This medicine can block the action of drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease, making your movement symptoms worse.
- Blood pressure medications: Combining these can cause your blood pressure to drop too low, especially when standing up.
- Lithium: Taking lithium with this medicine may increase the risk of nervous system side effects, including confusion, tremors, muscle stiffness, or neurotoxicity. Close medical supervision may be required.
- Medicines that prolong the QT interval: Certain medicines used for heart rhythm disorders, some antibiotics, antidepressants, or antipsychotics may increase the risk of abnormal heart rhythms when taken together with prochlorperazine. Tell your doctor about all medicines you are taking.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeAvoid alcohol consumption as it may worsen the side effects of Prochlorperazine Maleate, leading to serious breathing difficulties.
Pregnancy
unsafeThe safety of Prochlorperazine Maleate during pregnancy has not been demonstrated. As a result, Prochlorperazine Maleate is not indicated for use in pregnant women unless severe nausea and vomiting are so severe and intractable that the physician believes medication intervention is necessary and the potential benefits outweigh the risks. There have been reports of extended jaundice, extrapyramidal symptoms, hyperreflexia, and hyporeflexia in newborn infants whose mothers used phenothiazines.
Breast Feeding
unsafeProchlorperazine Maleate may pass into breastmilk and may harm your infant. Hence, it is recommended to use if you are a breastfeeding woman.
Driving
cautionProchlorperazine Maleate may cause sleepiness. Therefore, avoid driving or operating machinery if you feel sleepy after taking this medicine.
Liver
consult your doctorIf you have liver problems, consult your doctor before taking Prochlorperazine Maleate.
Kidney
consult your doctorIf you have kidney problems, consult your doctor before taking Prochlorperazine Maleate.
Children
cautionProchlorperazine Maleate is not recommended for children under one year and those weighing less than 10 kg. In children above one year, your doctor will decide the dose based on the child’s weight.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Eat small, frequent meals: Instead of eating three large meals, eat five or six small, bland meals (such as toast, crackers, or rice) to avoid overloading your stomach and triggering nausea.
- Stay hydrated slowly: Sip small amounts of water, clear broths, or electrolyte drinks throughout the day. Avoid gulping large amounts of fluid at once, which can worsen nausea.
- Change positions slowly: To prevent sudden drops in blood pressure and dizziness, sit up slowly from a lying position, and stand up gradually.
- Minimize sensory triggers: During vertigo or nausea episodes, rest in a quiet, dark room. Avoid sudden head movements, bright screens, and strong smells.
Special Advise
- Avoid exposure to direct sunlight and use sunscreen as Prochlorperazine Maleate may cause sensitivity to sunlight.
- Your doctor may advise regular tests such as blood tests and ECG whilst on treatment with Prochlorperazine Maleate.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Nausea & Vomiting: Nausea is an uneasy feeling in which the person feels an urge to vomit, whereas vomiting is an uncontrollable reflex that expels the contents of the stomach through the mouth. Nausea and vomiting may occur separately or together. The common causes include motion sickness, emotional stress, indigestion, food poisoning, high fever or overeating.
Schizophrenia: It is a condition in which the person may see, hear or feel things that are not there, believe things that are not true, or feel unusually suspicious or confused. Symptoms include hallucinations, delusions, thought disorders, movement disorders, disorganised thinking, loss of interest, lack of emotions, etc.
Vertigo: Vertigo is a sudden external or internal spinning sensation that causes dizziness. It creates a false sense that you or your surroundings are moving or spinning. Vertigo is not the same as light-headedness, but it might feel similar to motion sickness. Vertigo occurs due to problems in the brain or inner ear. Vertigo symptoms include increased sweating, nausea, vomiting, headache, loss of balance, and the feeling that things are spinning or moving.
FAQs
Prochlorperazine Maleate belongs to a class of medications called phenothiazines, used to treat nausea, vomiting, and dizziness due to various causes. It is also indicated in the treatment of schizophrenia, mania, vertigo, inner ear problems such as Meniere's Syndrome or labyrinthitis, and short-term anxiety, in addition to other medicines.
Prochlorperazine Maleate works by blocking the effect of a natural chemical in the brain (dopamine).
Prochlorperazine Maleate may cause sensitivity to sunlight. Therefore, avoiding exposure to direct sunlight and using sunscreen whilst on treatment with Prochlorperazine Maleate is recommended.
Do not let the tablets touch your skin for longer than necessary, as this may cause skin redness and contact sensitisation (swelling and itching).
Yes, Prochlorperazine Maleate can expire. The product label contains the manufacturing and expiration dates.
No, it is not an OTC medication. It is a prescribed medication which should be taken only if prescribed by the doctor.
Yes, it is. However, it should be used in the dose and duration prescribed by your doctor to treat your condition. Do not take more than prescribed or prolong the use. Always follow the directions of the physician.
You can take it based on your medical condition and response to the treatment, but only if your doctor advises it.
It is not usually addictive. However, if you stop taking it suddenly after taking it for a long time, it can cause withdrawal symptoms.
Prochlorperazine Maleate contains Prochlorperazine maleate, which belongs to a class of drugs known as phenothiazines.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember, unless it's almost time for your next dose. In this case, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the regular time. Never take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Avoid alcohol consumption as it may worsen the side effects of Prochlorperazine Maleate, leading to serious breathing difficulties.
No serious side effects reported as of now. If you experience any side effects that persist, please stop taking the medication and consult your doctor immediately.
Common side effects of Prochlorperazine Maleate may include drowsiness, dizziness, headache, dry mouth, and hypotension. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention and typically resolve on their own over time. However, if the side effects persist or worsen, please consult your doctor.
Prochlorperazine Maleate is not recommended for children below one year and those weighing below 10kgs. In children above one year, your doctor will decide the dose based on the child’s weight.
Yes, you can take Prochlorperazine Maleate with or without food. However, if you find that it causes stomach irritation or mild nausea upon swallowing, taking it with a meal or a glass of milk can help. Talk to your doctor if you experience persistent stomach discomfort.
Yes, drowsiness is one of the most common side effects of this medicine. You should avoid driving, cycling, or operating machinery until you are certain of how this medicine affects your alertness. Talk to your doctor if you feel excessively sleepy.
This medicine is generally not recommended during pregnancy, particularly during the third trimester, unless your doctor decides that the benefit clearly outweighs the potential risks to the baby. If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, talk to your doctor.
The onset of action varies depending on the formulation used and individual patient factors. Oral tablets often begin working within about 30 to 60 minutes, although some people may notice improvement sooner or later. Continue taking the medicine exactly as prescribed and contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.
Dry mouth is a common but manageable side effect. You can relieve this by sipping water frequently, chewing sugar-free gum, or sucking on sugar-free hard candies. If dry mouth is severe or does not go away, talk to your doctor.
Author Details
