Like all medicines, prochlorperazine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.
Common side effects
Side effects of prochlorperazine are usually mild and go away by themselves. There are things you can do to help cope with them:
Feeling sleepy or drowsy
Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery. It's best not to drink alcohol, as it'll make you feel more tired.
This should wear off as your body gets used to the medicine. Talk to your doctor if it continues, as they may be able to suggest a different medicine.
Blurred vision
Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery while this is happening. If it lasts for more than a day or 2, speak to your doctor.
Dry mouth
Try chewing sugar-free gum or sucking sugar-free sweets.
Headaches
Rest and drink plenty of fluids. You can take an everyday painkiller like paracetamol or ibuprofen.
Talk to your doctor if the headaches are severe or do not go away.
Stuffy nose
Try a menthol decongestant or talk to your pharmacist if this bothers you.
Speak to a doctor or pharmacist if the advice on how to cope does not help and a side effect is still bothering you or does not go away.
Serious side effects
Serious side effects are rare and happen in less than 1 in 10,000 people.
Call your doctor or call 111 straight away if:
- you have muscle stiffness or shaking, or uncontrollable face or tongue movements
- you have a sudden high temperature or an infection
- you get sore breasts – this can happen in both men and women
- the whites of your eyes turn yellow, or your skin turns yellow although this may be less obvious on black or brown skin – these can be signs of liver problems
- you have a fast or irregular heartbeat (your heart feels like it's pounding)
Serious allergic reaction
In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) to prochlorperazine.
Immediate action required: Call 999 now if:
- your lips, mouth, throat or tongue suddenly become swollen
- you're breathing very fast or struggling to breathe (you may become very wheezy or feel like you're choking or gasping for air)
- your throat feels tight or you're struggling to swallow
- your skin, tongue or lips turn blue, grey or pale (if you have black or brown skin, this may be easier to see on the palms of your hands or soles of your feet)
- you suddenly become very confused, drowsy or dizzy
- someone faints and cannot be woken up
- a child is limp, floppy or not responding like they normally do (their head may fall to the side, backwards or forwards, or they may find it difficult to lift their head or focus on your face)
You or the person who's unwell may also have a rash that's swollen, raised, itchy, blistered or peeling.
These can be signs of a serious allergic reaction and may need immediate treatment in hospital.
Do not drive yourself to A&E.
The person you speak to at 999 will give you advice about what to do.
Other side effects
These are not all the side effects of prochlorperazine. For a full list, see the leaflet inside your medicine packet.
Reporting side effects
You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme.
Visit the Yellow Card website for more information about reporting side effects.