Buccastem M (prochlorperazine)

How does it work?

Buccastem M tablets contain the active ingredient prochlorperazine, which is a type of medicine called a phenothiazine. Prochlorperazine has two quite different uses. In higher doses it is used in the treatment of psychiatric illnesses. In lower doses it is used in the management of nausea and vomiting.

The Buccastem M brand of prochlorperazine can be bought from pharmacies. It contains a low dose of prochlorperazine to treat nausea and vomiting associated with migraine. The prochlorperazine works by blocking dopamine receptors in an area of the brain that controls nausea and vomiting.

Vomiting is controlled by an area of the brain called the vomiting centre. The vomiting centre is responsible for causing feelings of sickness (nausea) and for the vomiting reflex. It is activated when it receives nerve messages from another area of the brain called the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) and when it receives nerve messages from the gut.

Prochlorperazine controls nausea and vomiting by blocking dopamine receptors found in the CTZ. This stops the CTZ from sending the messages to the vomiting centre that would otherwise cause nausea and vomiting.

Buccastem M tablets should not be swallowed like normal tablets. Instead they should be be placed high up along the top gum, under the upper lip on either side of your mouth. If you wear dentures, the tablet may be placed in any comfortable position between your lip and gum. The tablet will soften and stick to your gum, taking between one and two hours to dissolve completely. The medicine is absorbed into your bloodstream through the rich supply of blood vessels in this area. You shouldn't move the tablet about the mouth with your tongue as this will cause it to dissolve more quickly.

What is it used for?

Nausea and vomiting associated with migraine in adults over 18 years of age.

Warning!

You should only take this medicine if you know you have a migraine because it has been previously diagnosed by a doctor.

This medicine may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Alcohol should be avoided.

Do not exceed the recommended dose of this medicine, which will be stated in the product packaging or information leaflet supplied with the medicine.

Do not take this medicine for longer than two days. If your symptoms persist after this time consult a doctor.

This medicine can occasionally cause your blood pressure to drop when you move from a lying down or sitting position to sitting or standing, especially when you first start taking the medicine. This may make you feel dizzy or unsteady. To avoid this try getting up slowly. If you do feel dizzy, sit or lie down until the symptoms pass.

Use with caution in

Elderly people

Dehydration, eg due to severe diarrhoea or vomiting, or treatment with diuretic medicines.

Not to be used in

Children or adolescents under 18 years of age

Decreased liver function

Disturbance in the normal number of blood cells in the blood

Epilepsy

Parkinson's disease

Enlarged prostate gland

Closed angle glaucoma

Pregnancy

Breastfeeding.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine should not be used by women who are pregnant. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

This medicine may pass into breast milk. It should not be used by breastfeeding mothers. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Drowsiness

Dizziness

Dry mouth

Difficulty sleeping (insomnia)

Agitation

A drop in blood pressure that occurs when going from lying down to sitting or standing, which results in dizziness and lightheadedness (postural hypotension)

Irritation to the gum or mouth

Skin rashes

Abnormal movements of the hands, legs, face, neck and tongue, eg tremor, twitching, rigidity

Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

Decrease in the numbers of a type of white blood cell (neutrophil) in the blood (neutropenia)

High blood prolactin (milk producing hormone) level (hyperprolactinaemia). Rarely this may lead to symptoms such as breast enlargement or production of milk.

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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