This article describes possible interactions with prochlorperazine oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
Prochlorperazine comes as a tablet that you swallow. It’s also available as a solution that’s injected into your muscle or vein, as well as a suppository that’s inserted into the rectum. Interactions of prochlorperazine may vary depending on the form of prochlorperazine you’re prescribed.
Boxed warning: Increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis
Prochlorperazine has a boxed warning for the increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
See the end of this article for more information about this warning.
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Other drugs and prochlorperazine
The drugs in the list below may interact with prochlorperazine oral tablet. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with prochlorperazine.
Drug classes or drugs that may interact with prochlorperazine oral tablet include:
- certain antibiotics:
- drug examples: azithromycin (Zithromax), ciprofloxacin (Cipro)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of prochlorperazine and the antibiotic
- sedatives:
- drug examples: zolpidem (Ambien), eszopiclone (Lunesta)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of prochlorperazine and the sedative
- opioids:
- blood thinners:
- thiazide diuretics:
- drug examples: hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide), chlorthalidone (Thalitone)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of prochlorperazine
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs):
- drug examples: phenelzine (Nardil), isocarboxazid (Marplan)
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of prochlorperazine and the MAOI
- certain seizure medications:
- drug examples: phenobarbital, primidone
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of prochlorperazine and the seizure drug; can make the seizure drug less effective
- guanethidine:
- what might happen: can make guanethidine less effective
- propranolol:
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of prochlorperazine and propranolol
- phenytoin:
- what might happen: can increase the risk of side effects of phenytoin
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Get free cardWhen to avoid prochlorperazine
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with prochlorperazine oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe prochlorperazine in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for prochlorperazine oral tablet:
- Unconsciousness or coma: If you’re unconscious or in a coma, taking prochlorperazine oral tablet may weaken your brain activity further.
- Use of large amounts of central nervous system (CNS) depressants: Taking large amounts of CNS depressants with prochlorperazine oral tablet may cause serious side effects. These include extreme sleepiness, dizziness, and problems with coordination. CNS depressants include alcohol, sleep medications, opiates, and other groups of drugs.
- Children having surgery: Doctors will not prescribe prochlorperazine to children who are having surgery. This is due to the risk of serious side effects.
- Children under 2 years of age or under 20 pounds (lb): Doctors will not prescribe prochlorperazine to children who are under 2 years old or weigh under 20 lb. This is due to the risk of serious side effects.
- Past allergic reaction to prochlorperazine: If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to prochlorperazine oral tablet, taking it again may cause another allergic reaction.
Before you start taking prochlorperazine, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take prochlorperazine.
Alcohol and prochlorperazine
Prochlorperazine oral tablet is known to interact with alcohol.
Taking prochlorperazine oral tablet and drinking alcohol may cause:
- sleepiness
- difficulty thinking, reacting, and focusing
- problems with balance and coordination
If you drink alcohol and have concerns about avoiding it while taking prochlorperazine oral tablet, talk with your doctor.
Other interactions and prochlorperazine
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether prochlorperazine oral tablet has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with prochlorperazine.
Prochlorperazine and supplements
Before taking prochlorperazine oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
Prochlorperazine oral tablet may interact with melatonin supplements. Melatonin is often used to help manage sleep problems. Taking prochlorperazine and melatonin may lead to increased drowsiness.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Prochlorperazine interactions and herbs
Prochlorperazine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any herbs. But this doesn’t mean interactions with herbs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking prochlorperazine oral tablet.
Prochlorperazine interactions and vitamins
Prochlorperazine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any of these products while taking prochlorperazine oral tablet.
Prochlorperazine and food
Prochlorperazine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking prochlorperazine oral tablet.
Prochlorperazine and vaccines
Prochlorperazine oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking prochlorperazine oral tablet.
Prochlorperazine and lab tests
Prochlorperazine oral tablet may interact with a urine test used to check for pregnancy. Taking prochlorperazine and having this test may lead to false-positive results.
Prochlorperazine oral tablet may interact with a blood test used to check for phenylketonuria (PKU). Taking prochlorperazine and having this test may lead to false-positive results.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking prochlorperazine oral tablet.
Prochlorperazine and cannabis or CBD
Reports have shown cannabis (commonly called marijuana) and cannabis products may interact with prochlorperazine. Cannabidiol (CBD) is an example of a cannabis product.
Taking prochlorperazine and cannabis may lead to extreme sleepiness, difficulty concentrating, and more intense cannabis effects.
Before you take prochlorperazine, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you use cannabis. Doing so may help prevent possible interactions.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Health factors and prochlorperazine
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with prochlorperazine oral tablet. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before taking prochlorperazine, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether prochlorperazine is right for you.
These health conditions or other factors might interact with prochlorperazine oral tablet:
- bone marrow disease
- history of seizures
- being age 65 years or older
- pregnancy or breastfeeding
- past allergic reaction to prochlorperazine
- older adults with dementia-related psychosis*
- being under 2 years old or under 20 lbs†
* To learn more about this interaction, see the “Boxed warning for prochlorperazine” section below.
† For more details about this interaction, see the “When to avoid prochlorperazine” section above.
Preventing prochlorperazine interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with prochlorperazine oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Whether you drink alcohol or use cannabis.
- Other medications and herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking prochlorperazine oral tablet.
Taking prochlorperazine exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about prochlorperazine and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Does my risk of interactions depend on my dosage of prochlorperazine?
- Do other drugs that treat my condition have similar interactions?
- Could I still take prochlorperazine even if it interacts with a health condition I have?
Boxed warning for prochlorperazine
Prochlorperazine has a boxed warning for the increased risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis. A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the FDA.
Prochlorperazine oral tablet can raise the risk of death in older adults (ages 65 and older) with dementia-related psychosis. Dementia is a disease that causes problems with memory, thinking, and communication. In some cases, dementia can lead to psychosis. Psychosis can cause symptoms such as hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that aren’t real) and paranoia.
In studies, the causes of death were different. But most of them were due to a heart or blood vessel problem or an infection, such as pneumonia.
Due to this risk, doctors typically won’t prescribe prochlorperazine for older adults with dementia-related psychosis.
To learn more, talk with your doctor.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.