Methotrimeprazine

Canadian Brand Names

Apo-Methoprazine®; Novo-Meprazine; Nozinan®; PMS-Methotrimeprazine

Mexican Brand Names

Sinogan

Pharmacologic Category

Analgesic, Nonopioid

Reasons not to take this medicine

• Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years of age.

• If you have an allergy to methotrimeprazine, phenothiazines, or any other part of this medicine.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• If you have any of the following conditions: Bleeding disorder, severe heart disease, severe liver disease, or seizures.

• If you have taken isocarboxazid, phenelzine, or tranylcypromine in the last 14 days. Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (eg, isocarboxazid, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine) must be stopped 14 days before this medicine is started. Taking the two together could cause dangerously high blood pressure.

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to treat schizophrenia. It may take 6 weeks to see the full effect.

• This medicine is used to relieve pain.

• This medicine is used to treat behavior problems.

• This medicine is used to treat nausea and vomiting.

How does it work?

• Methotrimeprazine binds to brain receptors, relieving pain. It decreases the feeling of pain and a person's response to pain.

• It affects the vomiting center in the brain.

• It calms the brain.

How is it best taken?

Oral:

• Take this medicine with or without food. Take with food if it causes an upset stomach.

• A liquid (solution) is available if you cannot swallow pills.

Injection:

• This medicine is given as a shot into the fatty part of the skin, into a muscle, or into a vein.

What do I do if I miss a dose? (does not apply to patients in the hospital)

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.

• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your regular schedule.

• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Check medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) or other medicines and natural products that slow your actions and reactions. These include sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, antihistamines, and other pain medicine.

• Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake. Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, and fast heartbeat.

• You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.

• Be careful in hot weather. Drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.

• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require you to be alert or have clear vision until you see how this medicine affects you.

• Feeling dizzy. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing.

• Headache.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.

• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard, sugar-free candy, or chewing sugar-free gum may help.

• Weight gain.

• Change in sexual ability or desire. This is usually reversible.

What should I monitor?

• Change in condition being treated. Is it better, worse, or about the same?

• Keep a diary of pain control.

• Bowel movements.

• Dry mouth may cause an increase in cavities. Take good care of your teeth. See a dentist regularly.

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• If you suspect an overdose, call your local poison control center or emergency department immediately.

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; or swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.

• Severe dizziness or passing out.

• Fast heartbeat.

• Difficulty breathing.

• Signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.

• Significant change in thinking clearly and logically.

• Shakiness, difficulty moving around, or stiffness.

• Poor pain control.

• Severe nausea or vomiting.

• Severe constipation.

• Unable to pass urine.

• Unusual bruising or bleeding.

• Dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.

• Feeling extremely tired or weak.

• Any rash.

• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

• Protect tablets from moisture. Do not store in a bathroom or kitchen.

• The injection will given to you in a healthcare setting. You will not store it at home.

General statements

• If you have a life-threatening allergy, wear allergy identification at all times.

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.

• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.

• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, natural products, supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, nurse practitioner, pharmacist, physician assistant).

• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

Created: 2008-01-16 15:04:12.0

Modified: 2008-02-04 14:43:30.0

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