Prochlorperazine Tablets 5mg

What are Prochlorperazine Tablets?

It is an anti-sickness medicine from the phenothiazine group. It helps relieve nausea and vomiting linked with migraine, vertigo (including Ménière's disease), and other causes. It can also help with dizziness (vertigo) by calming signals in the balance centre of the inner ear.

How to buy Prochlorperazine Tablets online

Use our UK online prescription service to purchase Prochlorperazine Tablets with collection, free or next-day delivery options. We are a GPhC-registered pharmacy. Any site offering this medicine without a prescription may be acting illegally and could supply counterfeit products. After you complete a short assessment, our independent prescriber checks suitability. If approved before 3pm, your order is usually dispatched the same day.

How it works

Prochlorperazine blocks dopamine receptors in the central nervous system. This helps reduce messages from the "vomiting centre" in the brain and can relieve sickness and spinning sensations linked to migraine or inner-ear problems.

How to take Prochlorperazine Tablets

Adults (typical dosing): ONE tablet two to three times a day. A GP may advise a different schedule for short-term relief during a migraine attack. Do not exceed 40mg in 24hours. Swallow with water; you can take it with or without food. If symptoms are not improving after a few days, or worsen, speak to a healthcare professional.

How long should I take Prochlorperazine for?

Prochlorperazine is designed for short-term use to treat sudden attacks of nausea, vomiting or vertigo. Most people only need it for a few days, or occasionally for migraine-related sickness. If your symptoms persist beyond 5 to 7 days, or you need it regularly, contact your GP for review. Long-term use is not recommended unless advised by a specialist, as it can increase the chance of side effects such as drowsiness or movement problems. Long term use can also lead to withdrawal symptoms when stopped suddenly.

How Prochlorperazine compares to other anti-sickness medicines

This medication works differently from other anti-sickness tablets such as Cyclizine or Buccastem M. It blocks dopamine receptors in the brain, while others act on histamine or serotonin pathways. Because of these differences, one medicine may work better than another depending on the cause of your nausea or dizziness.

Help with nausea

These tips can support your recovery alongside treatment:

1. Get fresh air and take small, regular sips of cold water
2. Try peppermint tea or ginger products
3. Eat small, light meals; avoid greasy or spicy food
4. Eat slowly and rest after vomiting until you can keep fluids down
5. Watch for signs of dehydration (dry mouth, fast pulse, sunken eyes)

Help with migraines

It can help with nausea and vomiting caused by migraines, but it does not treat the headache itself. To ease migraine pain, you can:

1. Take simple painkillers such as paracetamol or ibuprofen at the first sign of a headache (if suitable for you)
2. Rest in a quiet, dark room and close your eyes
3. Stay hydrated and eat small, regular meals
4. Use a cold pack or damp cloth on your forehead
5. Avoid known triggers such as bright lights, strong smells, or skipping meals

If migraines happen often or are severe, speak to your GP. Preventive medicines and identifying triggers through a migraine diary can help manage attacks more effectively.

Help with vertigo

It can reduce dizziness and nausea caused by inner ear conditions such as Ménière's disease or vestibular neuritis. To manage vertigo symptoms, you can:

1. Sit or lie down during a spinning episode and move slowly when changing position
2. Keep your eyes fixed on a stable object to help balance
3. Avoid driving or operating machinery until the spinning stops
4. Stay hydrated and avoid alcohol, which can worsen dizziness
5. Try to rest after an episode, as fatigue can make symptoms worse

If vertigo lasts for several days or keeps coming back, see a healthcare professional. They can check for underlying ear problems or suggest vestibular rehabilitation exercises that may help long term.

Who cannot take Prochlorperazine

Do not take these tablets if you are allergic to prochlorperazine or any ingredients. Seek medical advice before use if you have glaucoma, liver problems, epilepsy or seizures, blood-clot risk, porphyria, bowel blockage, or a tumour called phaeochromocytoma. Extra care is needed in elderly patients and in people with heart rhythm problems or low potassium/magnesium.

Prochlorperazine side effects

You are unlikely to experience side effects with this medication but as with any medication you take, there is a possibility of side effects occurring. The most common side effects are:

1. Feeling tired
2. Drowsiness
3. Blurred vision
4. Dry mouth
5. Headaches
6. Stuffy nose

Any side effects experienced are likely to be mild and will go away as you get used to the medication. If you experience any signs of drowsiness do not drive or operate heavy machinary. Some more serious side effects to look out include:

1. Difficulty breathing
2. Irregular heartbeat
3. Sore breasts (men and women)
4. Muscle stiffness or shaking, or uncontrollable facial movements

If you experience any of the above, contact your doctor immediately. If you would like a full list of side effects see the products SPC below.

Prochlorperazine and pregnancy

Not routinely recommended in pregnancy. If you are pregnant, might be pregnant, or trying for a baby, speak to your GP or midwife for advice on suitable anti-sickness options.

Prochlorperazine and breastfeeding

Use is not usually recommended while breastfeeding because small amounts may pass into milk. Ask your GP or health visitor for individual advice.

Driving and using machines

This medicine can cause drowsiness, blurred vision or dizziness. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you and you feel fully alert.

Prochlorperazine interactions

Tell us or your GP about all medicines you take. Important interactions include:

1. Clozapine
2. MAOIs (for example, tranylcypromine)
3. SSRIs (for example, sertraline, citalopram and fluoxetine)
4. Levodopa and other Parkinson's medicines
5. Lithium
6. Strong painkillers (opioids) and sedating antihistamines (increased drowsiness)
7. Alcohol (can increase sedation and worsen side effects)

Herbal or alternative remedies can also interact. Always list them on your assessment so we can check safety.

How to store Prochlorperazine Tablets

Store at room temperature in a dry place away from direct sunlight. Keep out of the sight and reach of children. Do not use after the expiry date shown on the pack. Return any unused tablets to a pharmacy.

Other Alternatives

If these tablets are not suitable, other options may help depending on the cause of nausea or vertigo:

• Cyclizine tablets
• Buccastem M buccal tablets (prochlorperazine 3mg)
• Almus Migraine Relief Tablets (prochlorperazine 3mg)

Your choice depends on symptoms, other medicines, and medical history. Ask a pharmacist or GP for advice.

More information

For the full product details see the UK Summary of Product Characteristics (SPC)
NHS website page on Prochlorperazine
NHS website page on Migraines
NHS website page on Nausea