Prochlorperazine

Prochlorperazine In Dogs & Cats: Uses, Dosage and Side Effects

Overview

• Blocks dopamine, muscarinic acetylcholine and 5-HT3 receptors in the chemoreceptor trigger zone and vomiting centre.

Uses of Prochlorperazine

• Predominantly to control motion sickness and emesis associated with vestibular disease.
• Maropitant and metoclopramide are authorized as antiemetics in dogs and cats so prochlorperazine is not a first choice.

Dose of Prochlorperazine in Dogs and Cats

Dogs, Cats:

• All uses: 0.1–0.5 mg/kg i.v., i.m., s.c. q6–8h; 0.5–1 mg/ kg p.o. q8–12h.

Side Effects of Prochlorperazine in Dogs and Cats

• Sedation, depression, hypotension and extrapyramidal reactions (e.g. rigidity, tremors, weakness, restlessness).

Contraindications of Prochlorperazine in Dogs and Cats

• Use with caution where there is hepatic dysfunction or cardiac disease.

Some Notes:

• CNS depressant agents like anaesthetics and narcotic analgesics can lead to additive CNS depression when used in conjunction with prochlorperazine.
• Antacids or antidiarrheal preparations such as bismuth subsalicylate or kaolin/pectin mixtures may reduce the gastrointestinal absorption of oral phenothiazines.
• Concurrent administration of propranolol with phenothiazines may result in increased blood levels of both drugs.
• Phenothiazines have the potential to block alpha-adrenergic receptors, which could lead to unopposed beta activity, causing vasodilation and an increased heart rate if adrenaline is administered concurrently.