Prochlorperazine : Therapeutic uses, Dosage & Side Effects
Prochlorperazine is a first-generation typical antipsychotic drug, used for the antiemetic treatment of nausea & vertigo and for positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
Dose : 5-25 mg
Route : Oral, buccal, rectal, IM, IV
Plasma Half-life : 4–8 hours, varies with the method of administration
Duration of action : N/A
Bioavailability : ?
Chemical formula : C20H24ClN3S
IUPAC name : 2-chloro-10-[3-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)propyl]-10H-phenothiazine
Trade name : Compazine, Stemzine, Buccastem, Stemetil, Phenotil
Therapeutic uses : Prochlorperazine has following usage :
- Indicated as anti-psychotic drug for treating psychoses particularly Schizophrenia. It is most effective in treating positive symptoms of schizophrenia.
- Effectively can be used as anti-emetic agent thus, useful in the prevention of nausea and vomiting, particularly treatment of drug-induced nausea. It is effective in morning sickness but not in motion sickness.
- Can be for the management of the manic and mixed symptoms associated with bipolar disorder.
- Can be used as tranquilizers to manage agitated and disruptive behavior secondary to other disorders.
- May relieve anxiety but should not be used for simple anxiety because of autonomic and extrapyramidal side effects.
- May be used for Organic brain syndromes on a short-term basis.
- Rare indications includes Alcoholic hallucinosis, Huntington’s disease and Gilles de Ia Tourette’s syndrome.
Side effects : Adverse effects of the Prochlorperazine can occur in practically all patients and are significant in about 80% ; Prochlorperazine may produce following side effects:
- CNS ailments like Sedation, drowsiness, lethargy, mental confusion, increased appetite, weight gain, aggravation of seizures
- CVS effects including Postural (orthostatic)hypotension, palpitation, inhibition of ejaculation
- Anticholinergic effects such as Dry mouth, blurring of vision, constipation, urinary hesitancy in elderly males
- Extrapyramidal disturbances (extrapyramidal symptoms EPS) such as Parkinsonism, Acute muscular dystonias, Akathisia, Malignant neuroleptic syndrome, Tardive dyskinesia
- Blue pigmentation of exposed skin,
- Corneal and lenticular opacities, retinal degeneration
- Cholestatic jaundice
- Skin rashes, urticaria, contact dermatitis, photosensitivity
Contraindications :
- It should be used cautiously in patients with seizure disorders (since it may lower the seizure threshold)or those with an increased risk for seizures, such as withdrawal from alcohol.
For detailed query or in case of uncertainty, Always consult your doctor or pharmacist.
