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Prochlorperazine
Systematic (IUPAC) name
2-chloro-10-[3-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)propyl]- 10H-phenothiazine
Identifiers
CAS number	58-38-8
ATC code	N05AB04
PubChem	4917
DrugBank	APRD00624
ChemSpider	4748
Chemical data
Formula	C20H24ClN3S
Mol. mass	373.943 g/mol
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	not exactly known, but substantial
Protein binding	9199%
Metabolism	Mainly hepatic (CYP2D6 and/or CYP3A4)
Half life	48 hours, differs with the mode of application
Excretion	Biliary, (colored) inactive metabolites in urine
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	C (Au, U.S.)
Legal status	OTC/POM (UK)
Routes	Oral, buccal, rectal, IM
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Prochlorperazine (marketed under the names Compazine, Stemzine, Buccastem, Stemetil and Phenotil) is a drug that belongs to the phenothiazine class of antipsychotic agents that are used for the treatment of nausea and vertigo. It is also a highly-potent typical antipsychotic, 10 to 20 times more potent than chlorpromazine.

Indications

Prochlorperazine is a phenothiazine drug. Most drugs in this category are used as anti-psychotics (neuroleptics).^[1] Neuroleptic means "nerve seizing," and describes the semi-paralyzing effect these drugs have on the brain and nervous system. Stemetil is no longer being manufactured for sale in Canada.

It is now relatively seldom used for the treatment of psychosis and the manic phase of bipolar disorder. It has a prominent antiemetic/antivertiginoic activity and is most often used for the (short-time) treatment of nausea and vomiting and vertigo as follows:

1. To alleviate the symptoms of vertigo^[2]
2. As an antiemetic, particularly for nausea and vomiting caused by cancer treatment, radiation and in the pre- and postoperative setting^[3]
3. In the UK, prochlorperazine maleate is available as Buccastem M in buccal form as an over-the-counter treatment for migraine.^[4] In this indication it blocks the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) in the brain, which is responsible for causing severe nausea and vomiting. Its OTC use is strictly restricted to a maximum of 2 days, because of the potentially severe side effects of prochlorperazine, which mandate supervision by a health care provider.
4. In the UK prochlorperazine maleate has been prescribed to alleviate the symptoms of labyrinthitis, which include not only nausea and vertigo, but spatial and temporal 'jerking' and distortion^[5]

Formulations and pharmacokinetics

Prochlorperazine is available as an oral liquid, tablets, and suppositories, as well as in an injectable form.

Following intramuscular injection the antiemetic action is evident within 5 to 10 minutes and lasts for 3 to 4 hours. Rapid action is also noted after buccal treatment. With oral dosing the start of action is delayed but the duration somewhat longer (approximately 6 hours).

There is an inhaled form of prochlorperazine under development by Alexza Pharmaceuticals, currently in Phase II clinical trials.^[6]

Side effects

Many individuals are inherently allergic to this medicine. Prochlorperazine can cause tardive dyskinesia, a condition involving unusual, uncontrollable body or face movements (including abnormal movements of the tongue). The condition can become permanent even if prochlorperazine is stopped. Prochlorperazine can also cause a life-threatening condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Some symptoms of NMS include: A high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, irregular pulse or blood pressure, a fast heart rate (tachycardia), sweating, irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias). This medicine is a direct blood reactant and can cause severe circulatory damage when used as an i.v. push drug in emergency rooms.

References

External links

• Prochlorperazine medlineplus.org article
• AZ-001 (Staccato(TM) prochlorperazine) Press release pertaining to phase IIb clinical trial of inhaled prochlorperazine for migraine headache