Prochlorperazine Viatris

NOTICE: This Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) is intended for persons living in Australia.

Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) summary

The full CMI on the next page has more details. If you are worried about using this medicine, speak to your doctor or pharmacist.

1. Why am I taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS?

PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS contains the active ingredient prochlorperazine. PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS is used to treat nausea, vomiting and dizziness due to various causes, including migraine (severe headache).
For more information, see Section 1. Why am I using PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS? in the full CMI.

2. What should I know before I take PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS?

Do not take if you have ever had an allergic reaction to prochlorperazine or any of the ingredients listed at the end of the CMI.
Talk to your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, take any other medicines, or are pregnant or plan to become pregnant or are breastfeeding. For more information, see Section 2. What should I know before I take PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS? in the full CMI.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Some medicines may interfere with PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS and affect how it works. A list of these medicines is in Section 3. What if I am taking other medicines? in the full CMI.

4. How do I use PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS?

For adults, the usual recommended dose for nausea and vomiting is 1 or 2 tablets two to three times daily. The usual recommended dose for dizziness is 1 or 2 tablets three to four times daily.
More instructions can be found in Section 4. How do I take PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS? in the full CMI.

5. What should I know while taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS?

Things you should do
Remind any doctor, dentist or pharmacist you visit that you are taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS.
Call your doctor straight away if you notice any uncontrolled movements of the tongue, face, mouth or jaw, such as puffing of the cheeks, puckering of the mouth or chewing movements.
Things you should not do
Do not stop taking this medicine suddenly or reduce the dosage, even if you are feeling better, without checking with your doctor first.
Do not take any medicines that cause drowsiness while you are taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS.
Driving or using machines
Be careful driving or operating machinery until you know how PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS affects you. PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, tiredness, drowsiness in some people.
Drinking alcohol
Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS.
Looking after your medicine
Keep PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25C.
For more information, see Section 5. What should I know while taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS? in the full CMI.

6. Are there any side effects?

Less serious side effects include constipation, dry mouth, drowsiness, restlessness, trembling, rigid posture, mask-like face, slow movements and a shuffling unbalanced walk, uncontrollable twitching, jerking or writhing movements, blurred vision, and low blood pressure.
Serious side effects include unusual muscle tone or spasms causing distortion of the body in children, a sudden increase in body temperature, extremely high blood pressure and severe convulsions, shortness of breath, wheezing, difficulty in breathing or swallowing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body, and a rash, itching or hives on the skin. If you experience any of these serious side effects, go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
For more information, including what to do if you have any side effects, see Section 6. Are there any side effects? in the full CMI.
Active ingredient(s): prochlorperazine

Full Consumer Medicine Information (CMI)

This leaflet provides important information about taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS. You should also speak to your doctor or pharmacist if you would like further information or if you have any concerns or questions about taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS.
Where to find information in this leaflet:

1. Why am I taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS?

PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS contains the active ingredient prochlorperazine.
PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS belongs to a group of medicines called phenothiazines.
It helps to correct chemical imbalances in the brain, allowing it to function correctly.
These chemicals may also affect the parts of the brain which control nausea (feeling sick) and vomiting.
PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS is used to treat nausea, vomiting and dizziness due to various causes, including migraine (severe headache).
Your doctor may have prescribed PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS for another reason.
Ask your doctor if you have any questions about why PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS has been prescribed for you.

2. What should I know before I take PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS?

Warnings

Do not take PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS if:

you are allergic to prochlorperazine, or any of the ingredients listed at the end of this leaflet.
Always check the ingredients to make sure you can take this medicine.
you have any of the following medical conditions:
shock
disease of the blood with a low number of blood cells
yellowing of the skin and/or eye, also called jaundice
PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS must not be given to anyone who is unconscious or in a coma.

Check with your doctor if you:

have allergies to any other medicines or any other substances, such as foods, preservatives or dyes.
have any other medical conditions, especially the following:
phaechromocytoma, a rare tumour of the adrenal glands which sit near the kidneys
Parkinson's disease, a disease of the brain affecting movement which causes trembling, rigid posture, slow movement and a shuffling, unbalanced walk
myasthenia gravis, a disease of the muscles causing drooping eyelids, double vision, difficulty in speaking and swallowing and sometimes muscle weakness in the arms or legs
kidney problems
heart and blood vessel problems, low blood pressure
blood clots
liver disease
prostate problems
bowel problems
epilepsy, seizures or fits
low blood calcium levels
decreased thyroid activity
glaucoma, a condition in which there is usually a build-up of fluid in the eye
neuroleptic malignant syndrome, a reaction to some medicines with a sudden increase in body temperature, extremely high blood pressure and severe convulsions
a reaction to some medicines with uncontrollable twitching or jerking movements of the arms and legs
dementia
Diabetes
a low number of white blood cells
symptoms of Reye’s syndrome in children such as diarrhoea, rapid breathing vomiting and severe Fatigue
chicken pox or measles in children
dehydration in children
If you have not told your doctor or pharmacist about any of the above, tell them before you start taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS.
During treatment, you may be at risk of developing certain side effects. It is important you understand these risks and how to monitor for them. See additional information under Section 6. Are there any side effects?

Use in Children

Do not use in children less than 2 years of age or weighing less than 10 kg.
Do not use PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS intramuscular injection in children.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Use of PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS is not recommended during pregnancy.
Check with your doctor if you are a woman of childbearing age and not using effective contraception, or if you are pregnant, might become pregnant or think you may be pregnant.
If there is a need to take PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS during your pregnancy, your doctor will discuss with you the benefits and risks of using it.
Use of PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS is not recommended during breastfeeding.
If you are breastfeeding or planning to breastfeed, talk to your doctor about taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS.
It is recommended that you do not breastfeed while taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS, as it is not known whether PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS passes into breast milk.

3. What if I am taking other medicines?

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including any medicines, vitamins or supplements that you buy without a prescription from your pharmacy, supermarket or health food shop.
Some medicines may interfere with PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS and affect how it works. These include:
some medicines used to control depression or mood swings or mental illness such as lithium
medicines metabolised by CYP2D6 enzymes such as amitriptyline
alcohol
desferrioxamine, a drug used in iron overdose
medicines used for cancer such as procarbazine
some medicines used to control epilepsy such as phenobarbital and carbamazepine
antibiotics used to treat infections
medicines used to treat Parkinson's disease such as levodopa
medicines used for the treatment of diabetes
anticholinergic medicines which are used to relieve stomach cramps, spasms and travel sickness
atropine, a medicine which may be used in some eye drops or cough and cold preparations
some oral medicines used to prevent your blood from clotting
medicines used to treat high blood pressure or heart problems such as clonidine, guanethidine and propranolol
medicines used to treat fluid build-up in your body
medicines used to treat a fast or irregular heart beat e.g. amiodarone, quinidine, disopyramide
medicines that can slow your heart beat e.g. diltiazem, verapamil
medicines that can reduce potassium levels in the blood e.g. diuretics, laxatives
other medicines that can affect your heart rate e.g. methadone, pentamidine
antacids containing magnesium, aluminium and calcium salts, oxides and hydroxides
adrenaline used for severe allergic reactions
amfetamine
These medicines may be affected by PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS or may affect how well it works. You may need different amounts of your medicine, or you may need to take different medicines. Your doctor will advise you.
Check with your doctor or pharmacist if you are not sure about what medicines, vitamins or supplements you are taking and if these affect PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS.

4. How do I take PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS?

How much to take

Your doctor or pharmacist will tell you how much PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS you will need to take each day. This depends on your condition and whether or not you are taking any other medicines.
Adults' dose:
The usual recommended dose for nausea and vomiting is 1 or 2 tablets two to three times daily.
The usual recommended dose for dizziness is 1 or 2 tablets three to four times daily.
Follow the instructions provided and take PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS until your doctor tells you to stop.
Children's dose:
The recommended dose for nausea, vomiting and dizziness is 1 tablet two to three times a day.
Follow the instructions provided and take PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS until your doctor tells you to stop.

When to take PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS

It does not matter if you take PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS before or after food.

How to take PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS

Swallow PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS tablets whole with a full glass of water.
Do not chew the tablets.
If you have trouble remembering to take your medicine, ask your pharmacist for some hints.

If you forget to take PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS

PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS should be taken regularly at the same time each day.
If you miss your dose at the usual time and it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take your next dose when you are meant to.
Otherwise, take the missed dose as soon as you remember, and then go back to taking your tablets as you would normally.
Do not take a double dose to make up for the dose you missed.

If you take too much PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS

If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS, urgent medical attention maybe needed. Do not try to vomit.
You should immediately:
phone the Poisons Information Centre
(by calling 13 11 26) for advice, or
contact your doctor, or
go to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital.
You should do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning.
Your doctor or pharmacist has information on how to recognise and treat an overdose.
Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any concerns.

5. What should I know while taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS?

Things you should do

Tell any other doctors, dentists and pharmacists who are treating you that you are taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS.
If you are about to be started on any new medicines, tell your doctor, dentist or pharmacist that you are taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS.
If you plan to have surgery that needs a general anaesthetic, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS.
If PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS makes you feel light-headed, dizzy or faint, be careful when getting up from a sitting or lying position. Getting up slowly may help.

Call your doctor straight away if you:

notice any uncontrolled movements of the tongue, face, mouth or jaw, such as puffing of the cheeks, puckering of the mouth or chewing movements. These are symptoms of a very rare condition called tardive dyskinesia, which may develop in people taking phenothiazine medicines, including PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS. The condition is more likely to occur during long term treatment with PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS, especially in elderly women. In very rare cases, this may be permanent.
become pregnant while taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS.

Things you should not do

Do not give PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS to anyone else, even if they have the same condition as you.
Do not take PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS to treat any other complaints unless your doctor or pharmacist tells you to.
Do not stop taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS, or lower the dosage, even if you are feeling better, without checking with your doctor.
Do not stop taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS suddenly. If you do, your condition may worsen or your chance of getting an unwanted side effect may increase. To prevent this, your doctor may gradually reduce the amount of PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS you take each day before stopping completely.
Do not take any medicines that cause drowsiness while you are taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS.

Sun exposure.

PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS may cause your skin to be much more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally. It is advised to avoid exposure to direct sunlight during treatment.
If outdoors, wear protective clothing and use at least a 15+ sunscreen.
Exposure to sunlight may cause a skin rash, itching, redness, or severe sunburn. If your skin does appear to be burning, tell your doctor.
Make sure you keep cool in hot weather and keep warm in cool weather. PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS may affect the way your body reacts to temperature changes.

Driving or using machines

Be careful before you drive or use any machines or tools until you know how PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS affects you.
PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and blurred vision. If this occurs do not drive.

Drinking alcohol

Tell your doctor if you drink alcohol.
Be careful when drinking alcohol while taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS.
If you drink alcohol, dizziness, drowsiness or lightheadedness may be worse.
Your doctor may suggest you avoid alcohol while you are being treated with PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS.

Looking after your medicine

Keep PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS tablets in a cool dry place where the temperature stays below 25°C. Protect from light.
Follow the instructions in the carton on how to take care of your medicine properly.
Keep your PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS in the pack until it is time to take them. If you take the tablets out of the pack, they may not keep well.
Store it in a cool dry place away from moisture, heat or sunlight; for example, do not store it:
in the bathroom or near a sink, or
in the car or on window sills.
Keep it where young children cannot reach it.

Getting rid of any unwanted medicine

If you no longer need to use this medicine or it is out of date, take it to any pharmacy for safe disposal.
Do not take this medicine after the expiry date.

6. Are there any side effects?

All medicines can have side effects. PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS helps most people with nausea, vomiting and dizziness, but it may have unwanted side effects in a few people. If you are over 65 years or age you may have an increased chance of getting side effects.
If you do experience any side effects, do not stop taking PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS without first talking to your doctor or pharmacist.
Most side effects are minor and temporary. However, some side effects may need medical attention.
See the information below and, if you need to, ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any further questions about side effects.

Less serious side effects

Less serious side effects
What to do
Gastrointestinal or gut related:
constipation
dry mouth
Central nervous system related:
drowsiness
restlessness
trembling, rigid posture, mask-like face, slow movements and a shuffling unbalanced walk
uncontrollable twitching, jerking or writhing movements
Vision or eye related:
blurred vision
Cardiovascular or heart related:
low blood pressure
The following side effects are less common:
changes in heart beats
swelling of the hands, ankles or
feet
skin rash
for females: unusual secretion of breast milk, irregular or stopping of periods
for males: breast enlargement,
difficulty in ejaculating, getting or maintaining an erection, or persistent painful erection
severe pain in the stomach with bloating, cramps and vomiting
difficulty passing urine
yellowing of the skin and/or eyes
headache
insomnia
seizures
agitation
dizziness
difficulty in breathing
brownish deposits in the eyes
stuffy nose
Speak to your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects and they worry you.

Serious side effects

Serious side effects
What to do
Allergic reaction related (that can occur either immediately or within several days of drug administration) that may be life-threatening):
shortness of breath, wheezing or difficulty in breathing or swallowing
swelling of the face, lips, throat,
tongue or other parts of the body
cold, clammy skin, palpitations, dizziness, weakness or fainting
rash, itching or hives on the skin
Musculoskeletal related:
unusual muscle tone or spasms
causing distortion of the body in children
General:
sudden increase in body temperature, extremely high
blood pressure and severe convulsions
hypersensitivity, fever, rash, facial swelling, swollen lymph nodes (which could be symptoms relating to raised levels of infection fighting cells (relating to eosinophilia)
Nervous system related:
high fever, muscle cramps or stiffness, dizziness, severe, headache, fast heartbeat, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, or are sweating a lot (symptoms relating to Neuroleptic malignant syndrome)
Liver related:
yellowing of the skin and/or eyes (jaundice) and urine becomes darker in color
Blood related:
bleeding and bruising (thrombocytopenic purpura)
Call your doctor straight away, or go straight to the Emergency Department at your nearest hospital if you notice any of these serious side effects.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice anything else that may be making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed here may occur in some people.

Reporting side effects

After you have received medical advice for any side effects you experience, you can report side effects to the Therapeutic Goods Administration online at www.tga.gov.au/reporting-problems . By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.
Always make sure you speak to your doctor or pharmacist before you decide to stop taking any of your medicines.

7. Product details

This medicine is only available with a doctor's prescription.

What PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS contains

Active ingredient
(main ingredient)
prochlorperazine maleate 5 mg
Other ingredients
(inactive ingredients)
lactose
maize starch
purified water
colloidal anhydrous silica
magnesium stearate
Potential allergens
sugars as lactose
Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to any of these ingredients.

What PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS looks like

PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS tablets are White to off-white circular, uncoated tablets with ‘5” debossing on one side (AUST R 484783).
Available in packs of 25 tablets.

Who distributes PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS

Sponsor
Maple Healthcare Pty Ltd
Level 8, 555 Bourke Street
Melbourne VIC 3000 Australia
Distributor
PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS is distributed in Australia by:
Alphapharm Pty Ltd trading as Viatris
Level 1, 30 The Bond
30-34 Hickson Road
Millers Point NSW 2000
Phone: 1800 274 276
This leaflet was prepared in December 2025.
PROCHLORPERAZINE VIATRIS _cmi\Dec25/00

Sign in to keep reading

We're committed to providing free access to quality science. By registering and providing insight into your preferences you're joining a community of over 1m science interested individuals and help us to provide you with insightful content whilst keeping our service free.

or

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.