Prochlorperazine Maleate: An Effective Antiemetic Drug

Prochlorperazine Maleate


Prochlorperazine maleate is an antipsychotic and antiemetic medication. It works by blocking receptors in the brain that dopamine activates. This action helps reduce nausea, vomiting, dizziness and other symptoms. Prochlorperazine maleate has been used widely as an antiemetic since the 1950s. Let's take a deeper look at this important drug.


What is Prochlorperazine Maleate?
Prochlorperazine maleate is the salt form of prochlorperazine. Chemically, it is classified as a phenothiazine. The generic name is prochlorperazine and the brand names include Compazine. Prochlorperazine Maleate comes in various formulations like tablets, suppositories and injections. It is usually prescribed to treat nausea, vomiting, dizziness and vertigo resulting from conditions like motion sickness, post-operative nausea, chemotherapy, etc.

Mechanism of Action
Prochlorperazine works by blocking dopamine receptors in the brain's chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ). The CTZ is located in the vasomotor area of the brain and plays a key role in vomiting reflex. When stimulated, it triggers vomiting. Prochlorperazine exerts its anti-nausea and antiemetic effects by blocking dopamine D2 receptors in the CTZ. In high doses, it can also block serotonin 5-HT2 and α-adrenergic receptors. This multi-receptor blockade mechanism makes prochlorperazine an effective antiemetic.

Uses of Prochlorperazine Maleate
Some common conditions where prochlorperazine maleate is prescribed as antiemetic include:

- Motion sickness: It is commonly used to prevent and treat nausea, vomiting and dizziness due to motion sickness caused by travel via air, sea or land transportation.

- Post-operative nausea and vomiting (PONV): Prochlorperazine injections are administered to prevent post-surgical nausea and vomiting in the recovery room.

- Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV): As a component of antiemetic treatment regimens, it helps control nausea, retching and vomiting caused by highly emetogenic chemotherapy drugs.

- Migraines: Some migraine sufferers find relief from their vertigo, nausea and migraine symptoms with prochlorperazine maleate usage.

- Mental health conditions: At higher doses, it is used as an antipsychotic to treat schizophrenia and other psychoses by virtue of its D2 receptor blockade action in the brain.

Dosage and Administration
Prochlorperazine is available in various formulations like tablets, suppositories, buccal tablets, and injections.

- Oral tablets: The usual adult dosage is 5-10 mg taken three times daily, 30 minutes before meals.

- Rectal suppositories: The dosage is 5-10 mg inserted rectally for motion sickness or other conditions requiring fast relief.

- Injections (IM/IV): For post-op or other acute nausea, the dosage ranges from 5-15 mg administered deep IM or slowly IV over 2-5 minutes.

- Buccal tablets: Newer formulations like buccal/oral dispersible tablets dissolve fast in the mouth for quick absorption and relief in doses of 5-10 mg.

The dosage varies based on the age, severity of symptoms, route of administration and patient's response. It should be taken as prescribed by the doctor.

Side Effects and Precautions
Like other antipsychotics, prochlorperazine maleate too has potential side effects if not taken as directed:

- Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, dry mouth and constipation.

- Extrapyramidal effects like akathisia, dystonia and Parkinsonism may occur due to dopamine D2 receptor blockade in the brain.

- Use should be cautioned in patients with severe cardiovascular diseases. It can cause hypotension.

- Other potential but rare side effects include rash, allergic reactions and blood dyscrasias.

- Overdose may cause severe dystonia, respiratory depression, hyperpyrexia, and even death.

Thus prochlorperazine should be used judiciously with medical supervision in patients having pre-existing conditions or on other medicines. Children and elderly patients require an even more cautious approach.

prochlorperazine maleate is an important and widely used antiemetic that has proven effective for over 60 years now in controlling symptoms like nausea, vomiting, vertigo and dizziness resulting from conditions like motion sickness, post-surgery, chemotherapy and even migraines. Though having some safety and side effect concerns, prochlorperazine maleate continues to be prescribed commonly by doctors owing to its multi-receptor blockade mechanism and availability in different dosage forms catering to various clinical needs of patients. With proper dosage and monitoring, it provides relief from debilitating symptoms for millions worldwide.

 

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About Author:

Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)

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