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Stemetil

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About Stemetil

Stemetil is one of the popular brand names for Prochlorperazine Maleate, a medication belonging to the phenothiazine group of drugs.
Other brand names include Buccastem, Volimin, Ametil, Prochlozine, Bukatel, Nausetil, Antinaus, Novamin, Acuvert, Vometil, Vergon, and more.

Stemetil is commonly prescribed to reduce the symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, vertigo, dizziness, and certain psychiatric conditions.

Uses of Stemetil

Stemetil or prochlorperazine drugs are primarily used to treat:

  • Dizziness
  • Vertigo
  • Other imbalance issues
  • Nausea
  • Vomiting
  • Severe anxiety
  • Depression
  • Schizophrenia
  • Restlessness
  • Uneasiness caused by migraine headaches
  • Symptoms of Labyrinthitis and Meniere’s disease
  • Post-chemotherapy nausea
  • Motion sickness

The medicine helps in alleviating symptoms of vestibular disorders such as vertigo, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, the sudden disorientation of time and space etc. (more information)

Form

Stemetil comes in the form of tablets, syrup, mouth dissolving tablets, injectables, and suppositories.

Strength

The strength of this drug is 5mg. These medicines are also available in 12.5 mg and 25 mg in the form of ampules and suppositories.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Stemetil and what is it used for?

Stemetil is a medication used to treat dizziness, vertigo, nausea, vomiting, anxiety, depression, schizophrenia, and migraine headaches. It can also help with symptoms of Meniere’s disease and motion sickness.

It’s important to inform your doctor about all medications you’re taking, including over-the-counter drugs and herbal supplements. Some medications may interact with Stemetil.

Common side effects include drowsiness, dry mouth, blurred vision, restlessness, and movement disorders. If you experience severe side effects, consult your doctor immediately.

Avoid alcohol consumption and activities requiring alertness, such as driving or operating machinery, as Stemetil may cause drowsiness.

It’s best to avoid vertigo tests immediately after taking Stemetil, as it can affect the test results. Consult your doctor for advice on timing.

Stemetil, which contains prochlorperazine as its active ingredient, is mainly used to treat nausea and vomiting. It is often recommended for people experiencing severe nausea, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or recovering from surgery. Stemetil also helps manage dizziness and vertigo related to inner ear issues. Its antipsychotic properties make it useful in treating psychiatric conditions like anxiety and agitation. Always consult a healthcare provider to determine if Stemetil is right for you.

Stemetil MD (modified-release) should be taken as directed by your healthcare provider. It’s usually taken orally, with or without food. The typical dose for adults is one tablet taken two to three times daily, depending on the severity of symptoms. Swallow the tablet whole; do not crush or chew it, as this can interfere with its release properties. Follow the prescribed dose and schedule to reduce the risk of side effects. Always consult your doctor before starting Stemetil MD.

Stemetil MD may cause side effects that range from mild to severe. These can include dizziness, dry mouth, blurred vision, and constipation. Some people may experience more serious reactions, such as severe allergic reactions, muscle stiffness, or unusual movements, which may indicate a condition called tardive dyskinesia.

Stemetil primarily contains prochlorperazine, a phenothiazine derivative, as the active ingredient. Each Stemetil tablet or formulation may contain various inactive ingredients that support the drug’s stability, absorption, and effectiveness. In addition to prochlorperazine, common excipients may include lactose, magnesium stearate, and talc. The specific composition can vary by manufacturer and form (e.g., tablet or syrup). Always check the packaging or consult your pharmacist for detailed information on Stemetil’s composition to ensure safe use.

Conditions where Stemetil may be Avoided

Below are some of the conditions under which the doctors may not recommend Stemetil. You must inform your doctor if you have any of these diseases or health conditions before being put on this medication.

  • Respiratory problems
  • Thyroid disorders
  • Liver, kidney or prostate disorders
  • Any cardiac condition
  • Planning pregnancy or pregnant
  • Breastfeeding
  • Suffered or suffering tumour on the adrenal gland or susceptible to tumours
  • Prone to severe allergic reactions to medicines
  • Jaundice
  • Any blood infection or disorder
  • Epilepsy
  • Glaucoma
  • Muscle weakness
  • Parkinson’s disease
  • Prone to blood clots or thrombosis

Other than these conditions, if you are on any previous medication course or taking herbal supplements, let your doctor know about it before Stemetil is recommended to you.

Administration or Dosage of Stemetil

Prochlorperazine is taken twice or thrice per day, generally or otherwise used as recommended by the doctor depending on the severity of your situation.

The doctors prescribe Stemetil and similar medicines for a short duration of nausea, vomiting, vertigo and other balance disorders.

For more extended relief, vestibular rehabilitation training is the most effective for vertigo patients along with the medication course. A lower dose is used to treat vertigo and nausea resulting from vestibular disorders and for a short duration. Stemetil and substitute medicines provide symptomatic relief when the symptoms are acute, but a thorough diagnosis and appropriate treatment must be carried out to remedy the illness permanently.

When you are on this medicine, alcohol should be avoided.

Antacids may interfere with prochlorperazine and reduce the efficacy of the drug. It is beneficial to consult the doctor on what medicines interact adversely with Stemetil.

Intramuscular drug administration helps a great deal when nausea and vomiting are severe, the drug action starts within 5-10 minutes and lasts for 3-4 hours. Using mouth dissolving tablets takes a little longer to show relief but lasts for about 6 hours.

For this, you can keep the soluble prochlorperazine tablet between the upper lip and the gum.

Side-effects of Stemetil / Prochlorperazine

The medicine may cause the skin to become photosensitive, especially to UV rays in some people. Hence, wear a good sun-protection lotion when venturing out into the sun.

Stemetil affects blood sugar levels. Have regular checkups if you are a diabetic.

The drug may cause a sedative effect. Hence you may feel inattentive, have blurred vision, feel sleepy, and have a reduced attention span. It is short-lived, however, and these effects disappear once the medication is stopped. Alcohol increases the intensity of these reactions. So, it is safe to stay away from machinery, driving, or any such activity that requires vigilance.

Sometimes you may have a headache or head-heaviness. You may ask the doctor for a painkiller if the pain is severe.

Dry mouth is another side effect of prochlorperazine.

Reactions like sudden and involuntary muscle movement, fidgeting, or shakiness require immediate medical attention, so consult your doctor as soon as you feel any of these indications. Usually, dosage adjustments help address such symptoms.

Your body may feel hot or cold suddenly because the drug affects the regulation of body temperature. This side-effect is noticeable in older adults. Keep yourself adequately hydrated and aptly clothed to avoid suffering either of them too severely.

Finding it hard to fall asleep without any apparent reason, disturbed sleep, sudden weight loss, stuffy nose, increased heartbeats, menstrual problems, difficulty in passing urine; are some of the less common side effects of prochlorperazine. Seek medical advice immediately if you experience any of these symptoms.

Stemetil is not administered to breastfeeding women as this medicine affects the lactation hormones and produces excess milk. It may sometimes result in breast enlargement.

Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome – Nerve or muscle clutching or stiffness, excess sweating, irregular or fast heartbeats, variation in blood pressure, high temperature are indications of the Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome. Stemetil rarely shows such severe side-effects but if you do experience any of these symptoms, get medical help immediately.

High doses of prochlorperazine for longer duration may increase the risk of formation of blood clots in the blood vessels (deep vein thrombosis) or lungs (pulmonary embolism). These conditions may cause critical medical conditions such as sudden breathlessness, sharp pain or redness accompanying swelling in a leg, experiencing severe pain when coughing or coughing up blood.

Get the medical help quickly if any of the symptoms show-up while you are on prochlorperazine medication.

Drug Interactions

Avoid taking these medicines when you are on Stemetil or substitute medication because when combined with prochlorperazine these medicines cause severe drowsiness and sedation.

  • Tricyclic antidepressants
  • Sleeping pills
  • Antihistamines
  • Strong opioid painkillers
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Antidepressants
  • Barbiturates

Storage and Precaution

  • Store the medicine in a cold and dry place, away from direct heat and moisture.
  • Never overdose. If you mistakenly overdose go to the doctor immediately.
  • Keep the medicine away from children.
  • Do not take medicine which has crossed the expiry date.
  • Do not use tampered or torn packs of medicine.

Dosage and Administration

  • Dosage depends on age, condition, and doctor’s recommendation.
  • It should only be taken for short term use (3-7 days)
  • Typically taken 1–3 times daily for vertigo and nausea.
  • Buccal tablets are placed between the gum and cheek to dissolve slowly.
  • Injectable forms are used in hospitals for severe cases.

Important: Dosage must only be determined by a qualified doctor. Self-medication can be dangerous.

Information notice

This page is for informational purposes only and is not a substitute for medical advice. Always consult your doctor before starting, changing, or stopping any medicine.

How Stemetil Works?

Stemetil contains prochlorperazine. It belongs to the phenothiazine group and blocks dopamine receptors in the brain pathways that control nausea, vomiting, and some vestibular symptoms. This helps reduce vertigo-related nausea and motion sensitivity.

Indications and when it is used

Clinicians use prochlorperazine for vertigo and balance problems including those due to labyrinthitis or Ménière’s syndrome, and for nausea and vomiting from various causes including migraine. It is also used in other settings under specialist supervision.
Related resources: Ménière’s disease, Vestibular neuritis, Vestibular migraine, VRT, CRP.

Cautions and who should avoid it

Do not take prochlorperazine if you are allergic to phenothiazines or if you have severe central nervous system depression or are in a coma. Use with caution in Parkinsonism, blood disorders, liver impairment, or cardiovascular disease. Discuss use in pregnancy and while breastfeeding with your doctor.

Side effects and safety

Common effects include drowsiness and blurred vision. Avoid driving or operating machinery until you know how you react. Alcohol can increase sedation. Rare but serious effects include movement disorders, muscle stiffness, fever, or confusion. Seek urgent care if these occur. Report suspected side effects through your local adverse event reporting system. 

Interactions and practical advice

Tell your doctor about all medicines you take. Stemetil can interact with other drugs that affect the central nervous system and with alcohol. It is generally used short term for symptom control while the underlying vestibular disorder is assessed and treated with targeted therapies such as VRT or repositioning maneuvers when indicated.  Explore: Medicines hub, Diagnostics, VRT, CRP.

When to see a doctor

Seek medical advice urgently if you develop severe muscle stiffness, uncontrollable movements, high fever, confusion, chest pain, fainting, or new neurological symptoms. Also speak to your doctor if nausea or vertigo persists or if side effects do not settle. 

Disclaimer

All product and company names are trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective holders. Use of them does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by them.

We’ve made all possible efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date and complete, however, it should not be treated as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. NeuroEquilibrium™ only provides a reference source for common information on medicines and does not guarantee its accuracy or exhaustiveness. The absence of a warning for any drug or combination thereof, should not be assumed to indicate that the drug or combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Please base your medical decisions only on the advice of a doctor or a registered medical professional.

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