prochlorperazine maleate at a glance
Medicine class
Phenothiazine antiemetic and dopamine antagonist
Selected-product use
Nausea and vomiting accompanying previously diagnosed migraine in adults
Administration
Place the buccal tablet high under the upper lip and allow it to dissolve; do not chew or swallow it whole
Driving
Do not drive, cycle or operate machinery if it causes drowsiness, dizziness or blurred vision
What is prochlorperazine maleate used for?
The selected pharmacy products have a focused licence.
Relief of nausea and vomiting associated with migraine in adults whose migraine has previously been diagnosed by a doctor.
Other products may have different licensed indications; check the relevant product information.
How does prochlorperazine maleate work?
It blocks dopamine receptors in brain pathways that trigger nausea and vomiting. It controls migraine-related sickness but is not a painkiller for the headache.
prochlorperazine maleate preparations and strengths
Buccal tablet
Route: Buccal
Strengths: 3 mg
Tablet
Route: Oral
Strengths: 5 mg
How to take prochlorperazine maleate
Follow the pack leaflet or instructions from a pharmacist or prescriber.
Place the tablet high between the upper lip and gum and leave it to soften and dissolve.
Do not chew, swallow it whole or repeatedly move it with the tongue.
Buccal tablets are best placed after food so they have time to dissolve.
If dentures interfere, place the tablet comfortably between the lip and gum.
prochlorperazine maleate side effects
Common or expected effects
- Sleepiness or drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Blurred vision
- Headache
- Stuffy nose
- Dizziness or irritation where a buccal tablet sits
Get urgent medical advice
- Uncontrolled movements, marked shaking or muscle stiffness
- High temperature, confusion and rigid muscles
- Fast or irregular heartbeat, fainting or severe dizziness
- Unexplained fever, sore throat or infection
- Yellow skin or eyes
- Swelling of the face, mouth or throat or difficulty breathing
- Painful swollen leg, sudden chest pain or breathlessness
prochlorperazine maleate in pregnancy
Prochlorperazine can be used clinically for pregnancy sickness when appropriate. However, the selected self-care migraine products are contraindicated during pregnancy; do not self-treat with them and speak to a doctor, midwife or pharmacist about a suitable product.
prochlorperazine maleate while breastfeeding
Prochlorperazine may be used cautiously during breastfeeding when clinically appropriate, with the infant observed for unusual sleepiness, irritability, feeding difficulty or abnormal movements. Selected self-care product information advises against use while breastfeeding, so seek professional advice rather than self-treating.
prochlorperazine maleate interactions
Check other medicines with a pharmacist or prescriber because prochlorperazine can increase sedation, alter treatment effects, or raise cardiac and neurological risks.
Alcohol and sedating medicines
May increase drowsiness, impaired alertness and other central nervous system effects.
QT-prolonging medicines
Certain antiarrhythmics, antidepressants, macrolide antibiotics and antipsychotics may increase the risk of dangerous heart-rhythm disturbance.
Common questions about prochlorperazine maleate
Answers are fully visible for fast scanning and source review.
Does prochlorperazine maleate treat the migraine headache itself?
It treats nausea and vomiting associated with migraine; it is not a painkiller for the headache.
Can I swallow a buccal tablet?
Sources
These sources were used to prepare and review this medicine page.
Prepared and reviewed by the iatroX editorial team.