Prochlorperazine is a tablet used for a range of conditions that cause nausea and dizziness. It’s used off-label for morning sickness, or nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
You’ve probably heard the term morning sickness, but nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is common throughout the day. Nausea and vomiting is very normal in the early stages of pregnancy. But if it’s severe, it continues throughout your pregnancy or you can’t eat and drink as much as you need to, it’s time to seek some help.
Prochlorperazine blocks the pathways in your brain that can lead to nausea and vomiting, allowing you to live and eat normally again. So, you can focus on having a happy and healthy pregnancy.
How does Prochlorperazine work?
Prochlorperazine is a type of medication called a phenothiazine. It works to stop nausea and vomiting by working on the receptors in the brain called D2 receptors. It stops too much dopamine from being active in the brain, which can cause nausea.
Dopamine is one of the hormones that helps regulate the part of the brain known as the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) or vomiting centre. If you have too much dopamine, it triggers the vomiting centre, which causes the symptoms of nausea and vomiting. So by limiting the effects of the D2 receptors, Prochlorperazine gets rid of sickness at its root.
What doses of Prochlorperazine are there?
Prochlorperazine comes in 5mg tablets. The dosage for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy is usually around 5-10mg, but your clinician will help you figure out the right dose for you. They may advise you to start on a lower dose and increase it if that fails to control your nausea.
You’ll usually take Prochlorperazine up to three times a day during pregnancy. Try and space out your doses, leaving a gap of at least two hours. When you’re pregnant, it’s always best to take the lowest possible dose of any medications for the shortest possible time, to limit potential effects on the baby.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
ProchlorperazineProchlorperazine
How to take Prochlorperazine
Always follow your clinician’s advice on how to take Prochlorperazine. If you have any questions, you can log into your account and message us.
Swallow the tablets whole without crushing or chewing them. If you’re struggling with swallowing due to nausea, Prochlorperazine is also available as a syrup or buccal tablet
Have a glass of water with your tablets
Try to take a note of when you’ve taken Prochlorperazine, so you don’t take the tablets too often
You can take Prochlorperazine with or without food
How long does it take Prochlorperazine to work?
Prochlorperazine usually starts having an effect around 30-60 minutes after you take it. So it should provide some relief from your sickness pretty quickly. Prochlorperazine usually takes around a week to reach stable levels in your system.
If you’ve been using Prochlorperazine for a few days and seen no improvement in your nausea, go back to your clinician. If your nausea gets worse or you experience symptoms of severe dehydration, get medical attention right away.
What do I do if I make a mistake while taking Prochlorperazine?
If you take too much Prochlorperazine, get medical attention right away. Take the packaging of the medication with you so they can see what you’ve taken and how much. You may feel dizzy or sleepy. Don’t drive if you feel drowsy, get a taxi or ask someone to drive you instead.
If you forget to take Prochlorperazine at your usual time, just skip that dose and wait for your next one. Don’t take a double dose to make up for missing a dose. Try not to leave the tablets in contact with your skin for too long, because they can cause redness and irritation. Prochlorperazine can make you extra sensitive to the sun, so make sure to wear suncream and cover your skin in direct sunlight.
When we present you with stats, data, opinion or a consensus, we’ll tell you where this came from. And we’ll only present data as clinically reliable if it’s come from a reputable source, such as a state or government-funded health body, a peer-reviewed medical journal, or a recognised analytics or data body. Read more in our editorial policy.
ProchlorperazineProchlorperazine
ProchlorperazineProchlorperazine
FAQ: Prochlorperazine
Have something specific you want to know? Search our info below, or ask our experts a question if you can’t find what you’re looking for.
How is Prochlorperazine different from other treatments for morning sickness?
Answer:
There are a few other tablets you can take for nausea and vomiting during pregnancy. The only treatment that’s officially licensed for use during pregnancy is Xonvea tablets, which have only been on the market since 2018. Xonvea contains a mix of the antihistamine doxylamine and vitamin B6, both of which have been shown to help with nausea and vomiting during pregnancy.
There’s also Cyclizine, an antihistamine often used for morning sickness. It works differently to Prochlorperazine as it works on histamine receptors rather than dopamine receptors, but they both treat sickness. Like Prochlorperazine, Metoclopramide also works by binding to and acting on the D2 receptors in the brain. But they’re different types of drugs with different active ingredients, so they might affect you a little differently.
How effective is Prochlorperazine?
Answer:
Prochlorperazine has been shown to work for morning sickness. We know it’s a powerful treatment for nausea, so in pregnancy it’s not much different. A study of 174 women in the first trimester of pregnancy found a significant decrease in vomiting when they were treated with Prochlorperazine.
There are some self-care tips for morning sickness that can help make Prochlorperazine even more effective. Try eating several small meals instead of a few big ones. Peppermint tea or any form of ginger can help soothe your stomach and ease nausea.
Do I need a prescription for Prochlorperazine?
Answer:
Prochlorperazine is only available on prescription. When used for morning sickness, it’s also an off-label treatment, so a clinician will have to make sure it’s definitely safe for you to use. If you talk to us about your health, we can help you find the right morning sickness treatment.
If Prochlorperazine tablets suit you best, one of our clinicians can approve your prescription and have your treatment sent straight to your home.
Why should I buy Prochlorperazine online with Treated?
Answer:
Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy can make it hard to eat and live normally. At Treated, we can help you get your freedom back. You don’t even have to leave your home to get specialised care and the treatment you need.
Just talk to our clinicians about your health and we’ll help you find the perfect solution for you. We’ll then deliver it right to you. You can pick a subscription option for delivery, so you never run out of your medication.
Disclaimer: The information provided on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. If you have any questions or concerns about your health, please talk to a doctor.
