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Prochlorperazine in childhood: side-effects
Insights
Prochlorperazine causes neurological side-effects in children, primarily dyskinesia, regardless of dose. These effects resolve spontaneously or with orphenadrine treatment.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Neurology
- Clinical Pharmacology
Background:
- Prochlorperazine is a commonly prescribed antiemetic and antipsychotic medication.
- Neurological side-effects, particularly in children, require careful monitoring.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate and document the side-effects of prochlorperazine in pediatric patients.
- To compare observed side-effects with existing literature data.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of thirty-six children under sixteen years of age receiving prochlorperazine was monitored.
- Observed side-effects were systematically recorded and compared to published data.
Main Results:
- Predominantly neurological side-effects were observed, independent of dosage.
- Key manifestations included impaired consciousness, dyskinesia, pyramidal signs, and hypertonus.
- Dyskinesia was identified as the most frequent neurological sign.
Conclusions:
- Prochlorperazine can induce significant neurological side-effects in children.
- These adverse events are reversible upon drug discontinuation and treatable with orphenadrine.
Abstract:
The side-effects of prochlorperazine (CompazineR StemetilR) were traced in thirty-six children up to the age of sixteen years and compared with those collected from literature. These side-effects appeared to be predominantly neurological and were independent of the dosage. Impaired consciousness, dyskinesia, pyramidal signs and hypertonus were the main neurological manifestations. Dyskinesia was the most frequent sign. These side-effects disappear spontaneously after discontinuation of the drug. Instant cure can be acquired by intra-muscular administration of orphenadrine (DisipalR).