$Unique_ID{BRK02110}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{PROCHLORPERAZINE}
$Subject{Compazine (Smith Kline & French)
Compazine Spansules (Smith Kline & French)
prochlorperazine maleate (various manufacturers)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Compazine Spansule 10*0211001.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


PROCHLORPERAZINE
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BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers):
     Compazine (Smith Kline & French)
     Compazine Spansules (Smith Kline & French)
     prochlorperazine maleate (various manufacturers)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Phenothiazine tranquilizer and antiemetic
INGREDIENT:
     prochlorperazine
DOSAGE FORMS:
     Tablets (5 mg, 10 mg, and 25 mg)
     Sustained-release capsules (10 mg, 15 mg, and 30 mg)
     Suppositories (2.5 mg, 5 mg, and 25 mg)
     Oral syrup (5 mg per 5-ml spoonful)
STORAGE:
     The tablet and capsule forms of this medication should be stored at room
       temperature in tightly closed, light-resistant containers.  The oral
       syrup and suppository forms may be stored in the refrigerator in
       tightly closed, light-resistant containers.  If the oral syrup turns
       slightly yellow, the medicine is still effective and can be used.
       However, if it changes color markedly, or has particles floating in it,
       it should not be used; rather, it should be discarded down the sink.
       Prochlorperazine should never be frozen.

USES

     Prochlorperazine is prescribed to treat the symptoms of certain types of
mental illness, such as the emotional symptoms of psychosis, the manic phase
of manic-depressive illness, and severe behavioral problems in children.  This
medication is thought to relieve the symptoms of mental illness by blocking
certain chemicals involved with nerve transmission in the brain.
Prochlorperazine is also frequently used to treat nausea and vomiting (this
medication works at the vomiting center in the brain to relieve nausea and
vomiting).

TREATMENT

     To avoid stomach irritation, you can take the tablet or capsule form of
this medication with a meal or with a glass of water or milk (unless your
doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     Antacids and antidiarrheal medicines may decrease the absorption of this
medication from the gastrointestinal tract.  Therefore, at least one hour
should separate doses of one of these medicines and prochlorperazine.
     The sustained-release capsules should be swallowed whole; do not crush,
break, or open them.  Breaking the capsules releases the medication all at
once, destroying their sustained-release activity.
     Measure the oral syrup carefully with a specially designed 5-ml measuring
spoon.  An ordinary kitchen teaspoon is not accurate enough.
     To use the suppository form of this medication, remove the foil wrapper
(if the suppository is too soft to insert, refrigerate it for half an hour or
run cold water over it before removing the wrapper), and moisten the
suppository with water.  Lie on your left side with your right knee bent.
Push the suppository into the rectum, pointed end first.  Lie still for a few
minutes.  Try to avoid having a bowel movement for at least an hour (to give
the medication time to be absorbed).
     If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
possible, unless it is almost time for your next dose.  In that case, do not
take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular schedule.  Do not
double the dose (unless your doctor directs you to do so).
     The full effects of this medication for the control of emotional or
mental symptoms may not become apparent for two weeks after you start to take
it.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Blurred vision, constipation, decreased sweating, diarrhea, dizziness,
drooling, drowsiness, dry mouth, fatigue, jitteriness, menstrual
irregularities, nasal congestion, restlessness, vomiting, or weight gain.  As
your body adjusts to the medication, these side effects should disappear.
     Prochlorperazine can also cause discoloration of the urine to red, pink,
or red-brown.  This is a harmless effect.
     This medication can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight.  It is,
therefore, important to avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps.
Wear protective clothing and sunglasses, and use an effective sunscreen.
     If you are constipated, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     Chew sugarless gum or suck on ice chips or a piece of hard candy to
reduce mouth dryness.
     To avoid dizziness or light-headedness when you stand, contract and relax
the muscles of your legs for a few moments before rising.  Do this by pushing
one foot against the floor while raising the other foot slightly, alternating
feet so that you are "pumping" your legs in a pedaling motion.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
unusual bleeding or bruising; breast enlargement (in both sexes); chest pain;
convulsions; darkened skin; difficulty in swallowing or breathing; fainting;
fever; impotence; involuntary movements of the face, mouth, jaw, or tongue;
palpitations; rash; sleep disorders; sore throat; tremors; uncoordinated
movements; visual disturbances; or yellowing of the eyes or skin.

INTERACTIONS

     Prochlorperazine interacts with several other types of medications:
     1. It can cause extreme drowsiness when combined with alcohol or other
central nervous system depressants (drugs that slow the activity of the brain
and spinal cord), such as barbiturates, benzodiazepine tranquilizers, muscle
relaxants, narcotics, and pain medications, or with tricyclic antidepressants.
     2. Prochlorperazine can decrease the effectiveness of amphetamines,
guanethidine, anticonvulsants, and levodopa.
     3. The side effects of epinephrine, monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors,
propranolol, phenytoin, and tricyclic antidepressants may be increased by this
medication.  At least 14 days should separate the use of this drug and the use
of an MAO inhibitor.
     4. Lithium may increase the side effects, and decrease the effectiveness,
of this medication.
     5. Thiazide diuretics can enhance the blood-pressure-lowering side
effects of prochlorperazine.
     Before starting to take prochlorperazine, BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR
about any medications you are currently taking, especially any of those listed
above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
any medications, especially to prochlorperazine or other phenothiazine
tranquilizers (such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, mesoridazine,
perphenazine, promazine, thioridazine, trifluoperazine, and triflupromazine)
or to loxapine.
     * Tell your doctor if you have a history of alcoholism or if you now have
or have ever had any blood disease, bone marrow disease, brain disease, breast
cancer, blockage in the urinary or digestive tracts, drug-induced depression,
epilepsy, high or low blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, glaucoma, heart or
circulatory disease, liver disease, lung disease, Parkinson's disease, peptic
ulcers, or an enlarged prostate gland.
     * Tell your doctor about any recent exposure to a pesticide or an
insecticide.  Prochlorperazine may increase the side effects from the
exposure.
     * To prevent oversedation, avoid drinking alcoholic beverages while
taking this medication.
     * If this medication makes you dizzy or drowsy, do not take part in any
activity that requires alertness, such as driving a car or operating
potentially dangerous machinery.  Be careful on stairs, and avoid getting up
suddenly from a lying or sitting position.
     * Prior to having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be
sure to tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
     * Some of the side effects caused by this drug can be prevented by taking
an antiparkinsonism drug.  Discuss this with your doctor.
     * This medication can decrease sweating and heat release from the body.
You should, therefore, try not to get overheated (avoid exercising strenuously
in hot weather, and avoid taking hot baths, showers, and saunas).
     * Do not stop taking prochlorperazine suddenly if you have been taking it
for a prolonged period.  If the drug is stopped abruptly, you may experience
nausea, vomiting, stomach upset, headache, increased heart rate, insomnia,
tremors, or a worsening of your condition.  Your doctor may want to reduce the
dosage gradually.
     * If you are planning to have a myelogram, or any other procedure in
which dye will be injected into your spinal cord, tell your doctor that you
are taking this medication.
     * Avoid spilling the oral syrup form of this medication on your skin or
clothing; it may cause redness and irritation of the skin.
     * While taking this medication, do not take any over-the-counter
(nonprescription) medication for weight control or for cough, cold, allergy,
asthma, or sinus problems unless you first check with your doctor.  The
combination of these medications with prochlorperazine may cause high blood
pressure.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Small amounts of this
medication cross the placenta.  Although there are reports of safe use of this
drug during pregnancy, there are also reports of liver disease and tremors in
newborn infants whose mothers received this type of medication close to term.
Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of
this medication pass into breast milk and may cause unwanted effects in the
nursing infant.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
