The pharmacokinetics and effects of prochlorperazine in elderly female volunteers

The pharmacokinetics and effects of prochlorperazine (PCZ) have been studied in six healthy elderly female volunteers in a double-blind placebo-controlled study of 3.125 mg intravenous (IV) and 25 mg oral PCZ. The pharmacokinetics of IV PCZ in elderly subjects appear similar to those previously obtained in young subjects, with a terminal half-life of 7.5 +/- 1.8 h after intravenous dosing. Oral bioavailability was low (14.7 +/- 1.5%). The pharmacological actions of prochlorperazine in elderly people appear to include antidopaminergic (prolactin rise) and anticholinergic (reduced salivary flow) effects. At the dose of PCZ used in this study, no significant haemodynamic or psychomotor changes were observed though there was a trend to prolongation of the movement component of the reaction time.