How does it work?

This medicine contains the active ingredient prochlorperazine maleate, which is a type of medicine called a phenothiazine. Prochlorperazine is used in psychiatry in higher doses than are contained in this medicine. However, the lower dose contained in this medicine is used to treat nausea and vomiting associated with migraine. Prochlorperazine works in nausea and vomiting by blocking dopamine receptors that are found in an area of the brain known as the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ). The CTZ is involved in the vomiting reflex. When it is stimulated, it sends messages to another area of the brain, known as the vomiting centre, which in turn sends messages to the gut, causing vomiting. By blocking dopamine receptors in the CTZ, prochlorperazine prevents this area of the brain being stimulated by the messages that would normally cause it to trigger the vomiting reflex. This therefore reduces the sensation of nausea and prevents vomiting.

What is it used for?

Nausea and vomiting associated with migraine

Warning!

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

Do not exceed the stated dose.

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.

This medicine should only be used if migraine has previously been diagnosed by a doctor.

The tablet should be placed high up along the top gum, under the upper lip, and left to dissolve. Do not chew or swallow the tablet.

Use with caution in

Decreased fluid volume in the body due to, eg diuretic therapy, low salt diet, kidney dialysis, diarrhoea, vomiting

Elderly people

Not to be used in

Abnormalities in the numbers of blood cells in the blood (blood dyscrasias)

Breastfeeding

Children or adolescents under 18 years of age

Closed angle glaucoma

Decreased liver function

Enlarged prostate gland

Epilepsy

Parkinson's disease

Pregnancy

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 in pregnancy. 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.

Dry mouth

Difficulty in sleeping (insomnia)

Drowsiness

Agitation

Blood disorders

Yellowing of the skin and eyes (jaundice)

Dizziness

High temperature combined with falling levels of consciousness, paleness, sweating and a fast heart beat (neuroleptic malignant syndrome). Requires stopping the medicine and immediate medical treatment.

Mild skin reactions

Irritation of the gum and mouth

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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