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.
Stemetil or prochlorperazine drugs are primarily used to treat:
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)
Stemetil comes in the form of tablets, syrup, mouth dissolving tablets, injectables, and suppositories.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Avoid taking these medicines when you are on Stemetil or substitute medication because when combined with prochlorperazine these medicines cause severe drowsiness and sedation.
Important: Dosage must only be determined by a qualified doctor. Self-medication can be dangerous.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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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.
Stemetil MD (prochlorperazine) is mainly used to treat nausea and vomiting from various causes such as migraines, illness, or medications, and it is also commonly prescribed for vertigo and dizziness related to inner ear problems; it works by blocking dopamine signals in the brain that trigger these symptoms.
In some regions, certain brands or forms of Stemetil have been discontinued primarily due to manufacturing, supply, or commercial decisions rather than safety concerns, and in many cases, alternative medications are available to replace it.
Stemetil MD 5 mg is usually a prescription-only medication in many countries, although in some places limited low-dose versions may be available over the counter for short-term treatment of nausea, depending on local pharmacy regulations.
Stemetil is not a sleeping pill, but it can cause drowsiness as a side effect because of its action on the brain, which may make some people feel sleepy after taking it.
You should avoid or use Stemetil with caution if you have conditions such as Parkinson’s disease, epilepsy, severe liver problems, prostate issues, or a known allergy to prochlorperazine, and you should also consult a doctor before using it if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking other medications that affect the nervous system.
