(prochlorperazine maleate) tablets
Consumer Medicine Information
What is in this leaflet
This leaflet answers some common questions about Prochlorperazine GH.
It does not contain all the available information that is known about Prochlorperazine GH.
It does not take the place of talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
All medicines have risks and benefits. Your doctor has weighed the risks of you taking this medicine against the benefits they expect it will have for you.
If you have any concerns about taking this medicine, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
Keep this leaflet with the medicine. You may need to read it again.
What Prochlorperazine GH is used for
Prochlorperazine GH belongs to a group of medicines called phenothiazines. It helps to correct chemical imbalances in the brain, allowing it to function correctly. These chemicals may also affect the parts of the brain which control nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting.
Prochlorperazine GH is used to treat nausea, vomiting and dizziness due to various causes, including migraine (severe headache).
Your doctor may have prescribed Prochlorperazine GH for another reason.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why Prochlorperazine GH has been prescribed for you.
This medicine is available only with a doctor’s prescription.
Prochlorperazine GH is not recommended for use in children (under the age of 2 years or children under 10 kg in weight) because children may develop unusual face and body movements.
Before you take Prochlorperazine GH
When you must not take it
Do not take Prochlorperazine GH if you have an allergy to:
- prochlorperazine;
- the group of medicines called phenothiazines;
- any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
- always check the ingredients to make sure you can use this medicine
Symptoms of an allergic reaction to Prochlorperazine GH may include:
- shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty in breathing;
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body;
- rash, itching or hives on the skin.
You should not take Prochlorperazine GH if you have any of the following medical conditions:
- shock;
- disease of the blood with a low number of blood cells;
- yellowing of the skin and/or eye, also called jaundice.
Prochlorperazine GH must not be given to anyone who is unconscious or in a coma.
Do not take any medicines that cause drowsiness while you are taking Prochlorperazine GH.
Do not take Prochlorperazine GH after the expiry date (EXP) printed on the pack. If you take this medicine after the expiry date has passed, it may not work as well.
Do not take Prochlorperazine GH if the packaging is torn or shows signs of tampering.
If you are not sure whether you should start taking Prochlorperazine GH, talk to your doctor or pharmacist.
Before you start to take it
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergies to:
- any other medicines;
- any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant. Like most phenothiazine medicines, Prochlorperazine GH is not recommended for use during pregnancy. If there is a need to take Prochlorperazine GH during your pregnancy, your doctor will discuss with you the benefits and risks of using it.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed. It is recommended that you do not breastfeed while taking Prochlorperazine GH, as it is not known whether Prochlorperazine GH passes into breast milk.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have or have had any medical conditions, especially the following:
- pheochromocytoma, a rare tumour of the adrenal glands which sit near the kidneys;
- Parkinson’s disease, a disease of the brain affecting movement which causes trembling, rigid posture, slow movement and a shuffling, unbalanced walk;
- myasthenia gravis, a disease of the muscles causing drooping eyelids, double vision, difficulty in speaking and swallowing and sometimes muscle weakness in the arms or legs;
- kidney problems;
- heart and blood vessel problems, low blood pressure, blood clots;
- liver disease;
- prostate problems;
- epilepsy, seizures or fits;
- low blood calcium levels;
- decreased thyroid activity;
- glaucoma, a condition in which there is usually a build-up of fluid in the eye;
- neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS), a reaction to some medicines with a sudden increase in body temperature, extremely high blood pressure and severe convulsions;
- a reaction to some medicines with uncontrollable twitching or jerking movements of the arms and legs;
- dementia;
- diabetes;
- a low number of white blood cells.
Tell your doctor if you are about to have any surgery which requires a general anaesthetic.
If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start taking Prochlorperazine GH.
Taking other medicines
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines and Prochlorperazine GH may interfere with each other. These include:
- some medicines used to control depression or mood swings or mental illness such as lithium;
- medicines metabolised by CYP2D6 enzymes such as amitriptyline;
- alcohol;
- desferrioxamine, a drug used in iron overdose;
- medicines used for cancer such as procarbazine;
- some medicines used to control epilepsy such as phenobarbital and carbamazepine;
- antibiotics used to treat infections;
- medicines used to treat Parkinson’s disease such as levodopa;
- medicines used for the treatment of diabetes;
- anticholinergic medicines which are used to relieve stomach cramps, spasms and travel sickness;
- atropine, a medicine which may be used in some eye drops or cough and cold preparations;
- some oral medicines used to prevent your blood from clotting;
- medicines used to treat high blood pressure or heart problems such as clonidine, guanethidine and propranolol;
- medicines used to treat fluid build-up in your body;
- medicines used to treat a fast or irregular heart beat eg. amiodarone, quinidine, disopyramide;
- medicines that can slow your heart beat eg. diltiazem, verapamil;
- medicines that can reduce potassium levels in the blood eg. diuretics, laxatives;
- other medicines that can affect your heart rate eg, methadone, pentamidine; antacids containing magnesium, aluminium and calcium salts, oxides and hydroxides;
- adrenaline used for severe allergic reactions;
- amphetamine.
These medicines may be affected by Prochlorperazine GH or may affect how well it works.
You may need different amounts of your medicine or you may need to take different medicines.
Your doctor will advise you.
Your doctor and pharmacist may have more information on medicines to be careful with or avoid while taking Prochlorperazine GH.
How to take Prochlorperazine GH
Follow all directions given to you by your doctor and pharmacist carefully. They may differ from the information contained in this leaflet.
If you do not understand the instructions on the pack, ask your doctor or pharmacist for help.
How much to take
Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how much Prochlorperazine GH you will need to take each day. This depends on your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.
Adult’s dose:
The usual recommended dose for nausea and vomiting is 1 or 2 tablets three to four times daily.
The usual recommended dose for dizziness is 1 or 2 tablets three to four times daily.
Children’s dose:
The recommended dose for nausea, vomiting and dizziness is 1 tablet two to three times a day.
How to take it
Swallow Prochlorperazine GH tablets whole with a full glass of water. Do not chew the tablets.
When to take it
It does not matter if you take Prochlorperazine GH before or after food.
If you are not sure what to do, ask your doctor or pharmacist.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.
How long to take it
Continue taking Prochlorperazine GH for as long as your doctor tells you.
If you take too much (overdose)
Do not try to vomit.
Immediately telephone your doctor or pharmacist or the Poisons Information Centre (13 11 26) or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital if you think that you, or anyone else, has taken too much Prochlorperazine GH. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. You may need urgent medical attention.
Symptoms of overdose may include the following:
- coma;
- restlessness, shaking, muscle twitching, muscle weakness, spasm;
- confusion;
- excitement or agitation;
- low blood pressure;
- irregular or fast heart beat;
- decrease in body temperature;
- small or large pupils in the eye;
- difficulty in swallowing or breathing;
- blue skin;
- feeling of tiredness, drowsiness, or lack of energy;
- difficulty in speaking;
- convulsion.
Your doctor or pharmacist has information on how to recognise and treat an overdose. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns.
While you are taking it
Things you must do
Tell your doctor immediately if you notice any uncontrolled movements of the tongue, face, mouth or jaw, such as puffing of the cheeks, puckering of the mouth or chewing movements. These are symptoms of a very rare condition called tardive dyskinesia, which may develop in people taking phenothiazine medicines, including Prochlorperazine GH.
The condition is more likely to occur during long term treatment with Prochlorperazine GH, especially in elderly women. In very rare cases, this may be permanent.
Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking Prochlorperazine GH.
If you are about to be started on any new medicines, tell your doctor, dentist or pharmacist that you are taking Prochlorperazine GH.
If you plan to have surgery that needs a general anaesthetic, tell you doctor or dentist that you are taking Prochlorperazine GH.
If you become pregnant while taking Prochlorperazine GH, tell your doctor immediately.
Things you must not do
Do not give Prochlorperazine GH to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not take Prochlorperazine GH to treat any other complaints unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you to.
Do not stop taking Prochlorperazine GH, or lower the dosage, even if you are feeling better, without checking with your doctor. If you stop taking Prochlorperazine GH suddenly, your condition may worsen or your chance of getting an unwanted side effect may increase. To prevent this, your doctor may gradually reduce the amount of Prochlorperazine GH you take each day before stopping completely.
Things to be careful of
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how Prochlorperazine GH affects you.
As with other medicines, Prochlorperazine GH may cause dizziness, light-headedness, tiredness, drowsiness in some people.
Make sure you know how you react to Prochlorperazine GH before you drive a car, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or lightheaded. If this occurs do not drive.
If you drink alcohol, dizziness or light-headedness may be worse.
If Prochlorperazine GH makes you feel lightheaded, dizzy or faint, be careful when getting up from a sitting or lying position. Getting up slowly may help.
Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking Prochlorperazine GH.
Combining Prochlorperazine GH and alcohol can make you more sleepy, dizzy or lightheaded.
Your doctor may suggest you avoid alcohol while you are being treated with Prochlorperazine GH.
It is advised to avoid exposure to direct sunlight during treatment. If outdoors, wear protective clothing and use at least a 15+ sunscreen. Prochlorperazine GH may cause your skin to be much more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally. Exposure to sunlight may cause a skin rash, itching, redness or severe sunburn. If your skin does appear to be burning, tell your doctor.
Make sure you keep cool in hot weather and keep warm in cool weather. Prochlorperazine GH may affect the way your body reacts to temperature changes.
Side effects
Tell your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Prochlorperazine GH.
Prochlorperazine GH helps most people with nausea, vomiting and dizziness, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people.
All medicines can have side effects.
Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects. If you are over 65 years of age you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist to answer any questions you may have.
If you get any side effects, do not stop taking Prochlorperazine GH without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
- constipation;
- dry mouth;
- drowsiness;
- restlessness;
- trembling, rigid posture, mask-like face, slow movements and a shuffling unbalanced walk;
- uncontrollable twitching jerking or writhing movements;
- blurred vision;
- low blood pressure.
The following side effects are less common:
- changes in heart beats;
- swelling of the hands, ankles or feet;
- skin rash;
- for females: unusual secretion of breast milk, irregular or stopping of periods;
- for males: breast enlargement, difficulty in ejaculating, getting or maintaining an erection, or persistent painful erection;
- severe pain in the stomach with bloating, cramps and vomiting;
- difficulty passing urine;
- yellowing of the skin and/or eyes;
- headache;
- insomnia;
- seizures;
- agitation;
- dizziness;
- difficulty in breathing;
- brownish deposits in the eye;
- stuffy nose.
If any of the following happen, tell your doctor or pharmacist immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:
- unusual muscle tone or spasms causing distortion of the body in children;
- shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty in breathing;
- swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body;
- rash, itching or hives on the skin;
- sudden increase in body temperature, extremely high blood pressure and severe convulsions.
These are very serious side effects.
You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Do not be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them.
After taking Prochlorperazine GH
Storage
Keep Prochlorperazine GH tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Protect from light.
Keep your Prochlorperazine GH in the pack until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets out of the pack, they may not keep well.
Do not store Prochlorperazine GH or any other medicine in the bathroom or near a sink.
Do not leave it in the car on hot days or on window sills. Heat and dampness can destroy some medicines.
Keep it where children cannot reach it. A locked cupboard at least one and- a-half metres above the ground is a good place to store medicines.
Disposal
If your doctor or pharmacist tells you to stop taking Prochlorperazine GH, or the medicine has passed its expiry date, ask your pharmacist what to do with any that are left over.
Product description
What it looks like
Prochlorperazine GH tablets are white/off white, circular. Uncoated tablets, and marked with “5” on one side.
Prochlorperazine GH are available in packs of 25 tablets.
Ingredients
Active Ingredient
Each tablet contains prochlorperazine maleate 5 mg.
Inactive Ingredients
- lactose monohydrate;
- maize starch;
- purified water;
- colloidal anhydrous silica;
- magnesium stearate.
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.
Australian Registration Numbers
Prochlorperazine GH: AUST R 172126
Sponsor OR Distributor
Generic Health Pty Ltd
Suite 2, Level 2
19-23 Prospect Street
Box Hill, VIC, 3128
Australia
E-mail: ghinfo@generichealth.com.au
Telephone: +61 3 9809 7900
Website: www.generichealth.com.au
This leaflet was prepared in October 2021.
Published by MIMS January 2022