Prochlorperazine (Prochlorperazine)
Overview of Prochlorperazine
Prochlorperazine is a piperazine phenothiazine, is an oral and parenteral antiemetic and antipsychotic agent. Prochlorperazine is most closely related to chlorpromazine. Prochlorperazine is mainly used for the management of nausea and vomiting but it shares many of the actions and adverse effects of the antipsychotics. It was approved by the FDA in 1956. an antiemetic drug and used to prevent nausea and vomiting. it blocks postsynaptic dopamine receptors in the mesolimbic system and increases dopamine turnover by blockade of the D2 receptor. The decrease in dopamine neurotransmission has been found to correlate with the antipsychotic effects. Dopamine blockade in the chemoreceptor trigger zone accounts for the antiemetic effects. It possesses moderate anticholinergic and alpha-adrenergic receptor blocking effects. Blockade of alpha-I adrenergic receptors produces sedation; muscle relaxation; and cardiovascular effects such as hypotension, reflex tachycardia, and minor changes in ECG patterns.
Indication of Prochlorperazine
Prochlorperazine is primarily indicated in conditions like Acute pulmonary oedema, Diagnostic procedures, Labyrinthine disorders, Mania, Menieres disease, Muscle spasm of varied aeitology, Nausea and vomiting, Nausea and vomiting (acute attacks), Nausea and vomiting (due to migraine), Nausea and vomiting (prevention), Nausea, vomiting (acute attacks), Psychosis, Schizophrenia and other psychoses, Severe nausea and vomiting (prevention), Severe nausea, vomiting (acute attacks), Severe nausea, vomiting (prevention), Vertigo.
Contraindication of Prochlorperazine
Prochlorperazine is contraindicated in conditions like CNS depression.
Side Effects of Prochlorperazine
The severe or irreversible adverse effects of Prochlorperazine, which give rise to further complications include Extrapyramidal symptoms.,Prochlorperazine produces potentially life-threatening effects which include Bone marrow suppression, Aplastic Anemia. which are responsible for the discontinuation of Prochlorperazine therapy.,The signs and symptoms that are produced after the acute overdosage of Prochlorperazine include Drowsiness, Unconsciousness, Respiratory depression, Fever, Orthostatic hypotension, Syncope, Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, Reflex tachycardia.,The symptomatic adverse reactions produced by Prochlorperazine are more or less tolerable and if they become severe, they can be treated symptomatically, these include Constipation, Dry mouth, Blurred vision, Urinary retensionX, Impotence, Hypotension, Gynecomastia, Galactorrhea, Ejaculatory failure, Amenorrhea, Glaucoma.
Precautions of Prochlorperazine
Prochlorperazine should be used with caution in patients exposed to extreme heat or phosphorus insecticides, patients in state of alcohol withdrawal, patients with history of peptic ulcer, allergic reactions, with renal (kidney) impairment, prostatic hypertropy. Photosensitization may occur, caution patients against exposure to sunlight or UV light. Discontinue use atleast 48 hr before myelography.