compazine

For the best possible benefit, it is important to receive each scheduled dose of this medication as directed. If you miss a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist immediately to establish a new dosing schedule.

This medication is used by injection into a vein or by deep injection into a muscle (usually the buttock) by a health care professional. The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to therapy. Do not increase your dose or use this medication more often without your doctor's approval. Your condition will not improve any faster, and the risk of serious side effects may be increased. If you are taking this medication on a prescribed schedule, use it regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time(s) each day. Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens.

Drug interactions may change how your medications work or increase your risk for serious side effects. This document does not contain all possible drug interactions. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription/nonprescription drugs and herbal products) and share it with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicines without your doctor's approval. Some products that may interact with this drug include: alpha blockers (e.g., prazosin), anticholinergics (e.g., atropine, scopolamine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), dofetilide, certain drugs that increase dopamine activity (e.g., cabergoline, pergolide), certain drugs that may affect the heart rhythm (e.g., cisapride, halofantrine, sparfloxacin, pimozide), epinephrine for low blood pressure, guanethidine/guanadrel, metrizamide, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), sibutramine. Also report the use of drugs which might increase seizure risk when combined with prochlorperazine such as bupropion, isoniazid (INH), other phenothiazines (e.g., thioridazine), theophylline, tramadol, tricyclic antidepressants (e.g., amitriptyline) among others. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for details. Check the labels on all your medicines (e.g., cough-and-cold products) because they may contain drowsiness-causing ingredients. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products. This medication can affect the results of certain lab tests (e.g., phenylketonuria, certain pregnancy tests, certain urine tests such as amylase). Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

Laboratory and/or medical tests may be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include restlessness, muscle spasms, deep sleep/loss of consciousness, seizures, irregular heartbeat.

Before using prochlorperazine, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other phenothiazines (e.g., chlorpromazine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details. This medication should not be used to treat patients who are unconscious or taking large amounts of any drug that causes drowsiness and slow/shallow breathing (e.g., alcohol, barbiturates, narcotics). Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: blood disorders (e.g., bone marrow depression), ongoing breathing problems (e.g., asthma, emphysema), certain heart rhythm problems (e.g., prolonged QTc interval, irregular heartbeat), low blood pressure, glaucoma, liver problems (e.g., cirrhosis), Reye's syndrome, seizures, urination problems (e.g., trouble urinating due to enlarged prostate, urinary retention). This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy or cause blurred vision. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness or clear vision until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. To minimize dizziness and light-headedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position. This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Avoid prolonged sun exposure, tanning booths, and sunlamps. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. This medication may decrease your body's ability to adjust to either very hot or very cold temperatures. Due to the risk of fainting, avoid being alone if exposed to temperature extremes (e.g., swimming in cold water). In hot weather, fever and heatstroke may occur due to decreased sweating. Avoid strenuous work/exercise, drink plenty of fluids, and dress lightly while in hot weather. The elderly may be more sensitive to the effects of this drug, especially low blood pressure, constipation, urinary problems, and nerve/muscle problems. Children may be at greater risk for nerve/muscle side effects while using this drug. Therefore, this medication is not recommended for use in children who are in surgery or have a short-term illness (e.g., chickenpox, flu) or in children under 2 years old. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. Infants born to mothers who have used this medication during pregnancy may rarely have liver or nerve/muscle problems. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor. Based on information from related drugs, this medication may pass into breast milk. Therefore, breast-feeding while using this medication is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Not applicable. This medication is given in a hospital and will not be stored at home.

Constipation, drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or dry mouth may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly. To relieve dry mouth, suck on (sugarless) hard candy or ice chips, chew (sugarless) gum, drink water, or use a saliva substitute. Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects. Tell your doctor right away if you have any serious side effects, including: agitation/restlessness, face/muscle twitching, uncontrolled movements, drooling, trouble swallowing, difficulty talking, enlarged/tender breasts, unusual breast milk production, shaking (tremors), trouble urinating, dark urine, persistent nausea/vomiting, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), severe abdominal pain, unusual bleeding/bruising, weakness, yellowing eyes/skin. This drug may infrequently cause a very serious (rarely fatal) nervous system disorder (neuroleptic malignant syndrome). If you notice any of the following unlikely but very serious side effects, stop taking this medication and get medical help right away: severe muscle stiffness, mental/mood changes (e.g., confusion, extreme drowsiness), very high fever, seizures, irregular/fast heartbeat, increased sweating. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, get medical help right away. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing. This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.