Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Odan-Prochlorperazine
ABOUT THIS MEDICATION
What the medication is used for:
Odan-Prochlorperazine belongs to a group of medicines called “phenothiazines”. It is used for the management of the symptoms of psychotic disorders such as excessive anxiety, tension, confusion, delusions, and agitation.
It also can be used to control nausea and vomiting.
What it does:
Odan-Prochlorperazine is an antipsychotic medication which affects chemicals in the brain that allow communications between nerve cells (neurotransmitters). These chemicals are called dopamine and serotonin. Exactly how Odan-Prochlorperazine works is unknown. However, it seems to readjust the balance of dopamine and serotonin.
When it should not be used:
You should not use Odan-Prochlorperazine if you have:
- An allergy to prochlorperazine, to any of Odan-Prochlorperazine ingredients or to phenothiazines
- A medical condition known as pheochromocytoma (a tumor of the adrenal gland)
- A severe heart or blood vessel disorder
- Severe kidney problems
- Brain damage
- Liver disease
- A blood cell disorder such as anemia, low white blood cell counts, or low platelets
- Drowsiness, slow breathing, weak pulse
Decreased alertness caused by taking certain medications or drinking alcohol
- You are going to receive anesthesia in the spine or for a region (such as an arm, leg or the lower part of your body)
What the medicinal ingredient is:
Prochlorperazine
What the nonmedicinal ingredients are:
Hard Fat, Mixed Tocopherols
What dosage forms it comes in:
Suppository 10 mg
WARNINGS AND PRECAUTIONS
Serious Warnings and Precautions
Studies with various medicines of the group to which Odan-Prochlorperazine belongs, when used in the elderly patients with dementia, have been associated with an increased rate of death. Odan-Prochlorperazine is not indicated in elderly patients with dementia.
Before you use Odan-Prochlorperazine talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you:
- have risk factors for developing blood clots such as: a family history of blood clots, age over 65, smoking, obesity, recent major surgery (such as hip or knee replacement), immobility due to air travel or other reason, or take oral contraceptives (“The Pill”)
- have heart disease, glaucoma or prostatic hypertrophy
- are addicted to alcohol. You should not take Odan-Prochlorperazine if you are under the effects of alcohol.
are pregnant. Odan-Prochlorperazine should not be used during pregnancy unless your doctor considers the benefits to you markedly outweighs the potential risks to the fetus.
- are taking barbiturates, painkillers, narcotics or, antihistamines or other drugs that make you drowsy.
- have any allergies to this drug or its ingredients
- have or ever had a blackout or seizure
- are breastfeeding.
Odan-Prochlorperazine may impair the mental and/or physical abilities required for the performance of potentially hazardous tasks such as driving a car or operating machinery, especially during the first few days of therapy. You should be cautious when performing potentially hazardous tasks.
Effects on Newborns:
In some cases, babies born to a mother taking Odan-Prochlorperazine during pregnancy have experienced symptoms that are severe and require the newborn to be hospitalized. Sometimes, the symptoms may resolve on their own. Be prepared to seek immediate emergency medical attention for your newborn if they have difficulty breathing, are overly sleepy, have muscle stiffness, or floppy muscles (like a rag doll), are shaking, or are having difficulty feeding.
People who take Odan-Prochlorperazine are cautioned:
- Against exposure to extreme heat
- That drugs such as Odan-Prochlorperazine increase the toxicity of certain types of insecticides ("organophosphorous" insecticides) including insecticides
- for agriculture (farming), treating animals (flea and tick control) and for treating pests around the house and garden. Be cautious if you must use these products while taking Odan-Prochlorperazine.
INTERACTIONS WITH THIS MEDICATION
- Odan-Prochlorperazine can add to the effects of alcohol. You should avoid consuming alcoholic beverages while on Odan-Prochlorperazine therapy.
- Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products (such as St. John’s Wort), and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor.
- Before using Odan-Prochlorperazine, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). You should not take Odan-Prochlorperazine if you have drowsiness caused by other medications.
- Drugs that may interact with Odan-Prochlorperazine include: anti-anxiety agents, antidepressants, muscle relaxants, anti-seizure medicine, high blood pressure medicine, cabergoline, metrizamide, guanethidine, guanadrel, grepafloxacin, sparfloxacin, lithium, cisapride, atropine-like drugs, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), drugs used to aid sleep, drowsiness-causing antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), other drugs that may make you drowsy.
- Many cough-and-cold products contain ingredients that may add a drowsiness effect. Before using cough-and-cold medications, ask your doctor or pharmacist about the safe use of those products. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
- This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with Odan-Prochlorperazine
PROPER USE OF THIS MEDICATION
Insert this suppository into your anus exactly as prescribed. During the first few days your doctor may gradually increase your dose to allow your body to adjust to the medication. Do not take this more often or increase your dose without consulting your doctor. Your condition will not improve any faster but the risk of serious side effects will be increased. Do not stop taking this drug suddenly without your doctor's approval.
Your doctor will decide which dose is best for you.
Usual dose:
For treatment of psychiatric illness:
Usual initial adult dose: 10 mg three or four times daily. Doses vary according to individual condition, should be increased gradually by your doctor until your condition is under control.
For treatment of nausea and vomiting:
Usual adult dose: 1 suppository 1 to 3 times a day, or as directed by a physician. In mild cases a single suppository may be used.
Your dosage may be increased or decreased by your doctor depending on your response to the treatment.
Overdose:
| If you think you, or a person you are caring for, have taken too much Odan-Prochlorperazine, contact a healthcare professional, hospital emergency department, or regional poison control centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms. |
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Overdose symptoms may include agitation, and confusion, drowsiness, dizziness, muscle stiffness or twitching, increased salivation, trouble swallowing, weakness, loss of balance or coordination, and fainting.
Missed Dose:
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then to take the medicine and skip the missed dose. Do not double your dose to make up the missed dose.
SIDE EFFECTS AND WHAT TO DO ABOUT THEM
Like other medications, Odan-Prochlorperazine may cause some side effects. These side effects may be minor and temporary. However, some may be serious and need medical attention.
Side effects may include: sweating, urinary incontinence, dizziness, drowsiness, dry mouth, nasal congestion, skin changes, insomnia, depression, agitation, anxiety, restlessness, excitement and bizarre dreams, decreased appetite, swelling of the hands and/or feet, nausea and vomiting, headache, menstrual changes, change in libido, swelling of the breasts and milk production in both men and women, weight changes and blurred vision.
If any of these affects you severely, tell your doctor.
Your doctor should check your body weight before starting Odan-Prochlorperazine and continue to monitor it for as long as you are being treated.
Your doctor should take blood tests before starting Odan-Prochlorperazine. They will monitor blood sugar, and the number of infection fighting white blood cells. Your doctor should continue to monitor your blood for as long as you are being treated.
If you have high levels of prolactin (measured with a blood test) and a condition called hypogonadism you may be at increased risk of breaking a bone due to osteoporosis. This occurs in both men and women.
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | ||||
| Only if severe | In all cases | |||||
| Unknown | Allergic Reaction: rash, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty swallowing or breathing | ✓ | ||||
| Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome: any group of symptoms which may include high fever, sweating, stiff muscles, fast heartbeat, fast breathing and feeling confused, drowsy or agitated | ✓ | |||||
Extrapyramidal Symptoms: muscle stiffness, body spasm, upward eye rolling, exaggeration of reflexes, drooling, difficulty moving how and when you want | ✓ | |||||
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | ||||||
| Only if severe | In all cases | |||||||
| Fast or irregular heartbeat | ✓ | |||||||
| Seizures or fits | ✓ | |||||||
| Long-lasting (greater than 4 hours in duration) and painful erection of the penis. | ✓ | |||||||
| Tardive Dyskinesia: uncontrollable movements or twitches of the body, face, eyes or tongue, stretching the neck and body | ✓ | |||||||
| Low Blood Pressure: feeling of lightheadedness or fainting especially when getting up from a lying or sitting position | ✓ | |||||||
| High Blood Pressure: headaches, vision disorders, nausea and vomiting | ✓ | |||||||
| Decreased sweating | ✓ | |||||||
| Jaundice: yellow colour to skin and eyes, dark urine | ✓ | |||||||
| Respiratory Infection: fever, flu-like symptoms, coughing, difficult or fast breathing | ✓ | |||||||
| New or worsening constipation | ✓ | |||||||
Serious side effects and what to do about them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | ||||
| Only if severe | In all cases | |||||
| Akathisia: a feeling of restlessness, inability to remain motionless | ✓ | |||||
| Vision Changes: blurred vision, glaucoma or other eye disorder | ✓ | |||||
| Increased Blood Sugar: frequent urination, thirst and hunger | ✓ | |||||
| Uncommon | Blood clots: swelling pain and redness in an arm or leg that can be warm to touch. You may develop sudden chest pain, difficulty breathing and heart palpitations. | ✓ | ||||
This is not a complete list of side effects. For any unexpected effects while taking Odan-Prochlorperazine, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
HOW TO STORE IT
Store below 25°C.
Protect unwrapped suppository from light.
Keep this and all medications out of the reach and sight of children.
REPORTING SIDE EFFECTS
You can report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products by: -----------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice. |
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MORE INFORMATION
If you want more information about Odan-Prochlorperazine:
- Talk to your healthcare professional
- Find the full product monograph that is prepared for health professionals and includes this Consumer Information by visiting the Health Canada website: (https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/drugs-health-products/drug-products/drug-product-database.html ); or by contacting the sponsor, Odan Laboratories Ltd., at 1-888-666-6326.