Medication for Nausea
Compazine
Why is this drug prescribed?
Compazine is used to control severe nausea and vomiting. It is also used to treat symptoms of mental disorders such as schizophrenia, and is occasionally prescribed for anxiety.
Most important fact about this drug
Compazine may cause tardive dyskinesia–involuntary muscle spasms and twitches in the face and body. This condition may be permanent. It appears to be most common among the elderly, especially women. Ask your doctor for information about this possible risk.
How should you take this medication?
Never take more Compazine than prescribed. It can increase the risk of serious side effects. If you are using the suppository form of Compazine and find it is too soft to insert, you can chill it in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes or run cold water over it before removing the wrapper. To insert a suppository, first remove the wrapper and moisten the suppository with cold water. Then lie down on your side and use a finger to push the suppository well up into the rectum.
What side effects may occur?
Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Compazine.
- Side effects may include:Abnormal muscle rigidity, abnormal secretion of milk, abnormal sugar in urine, abnormalities of posture and movement, agitation, anemia, appetite changes, asthma, blurred vision, breast development in males, chewing movements, constipation, convulsions, difficulty swallowing, discolored skin tone, dizziness, drooling, drowsiness, dry mouth, ejaculation problems, exaggerated reflexes, fever, fluid retention, head arched backward, headache, heart attack, heels bent back on legs, high or low blood sugar, hives, impotence, inability to urinate, increased psychotic symptoms, increased weight, infection, insomnia, intestinal obstruction, involuntary movements of arms, hands, legs, and feet, involuntary movements of face, tongue, and jaw, irregular movements, jerky movements, jitter iness, light sensitivity, low blood pressure, mask-like face, menstrual irregularities, narrowed or dilated pupils, nasal congestion, nausea, pain in the shoulder and neck area, painful muscle spasm, parkinsonism-like symptoms, persistent, painful erections, pill-rolling motion, protruding tongue, puckering of the mouth, puffing of the cheeks, rigid arms, feet, head, and muscles, rotation of eyeballs or state of fixed gaze, shock, shuffling gait, skin peeling, rash and inflammation, sore throat, mouth, and gums, spasms in back, feet and ankles, jaw, and neck, swelling and itching skin, swelling in throat, tremors, yellowed eyes and skin.
Zofran
Description
Zofran is used to treat or prevent the nausea and vomiting that may occur after therapy with anticancer medicines (chemotherapy) or radiation, or after surgery.
Proper Use of This Medicine
If you vomit within 30 minutes after taking this medicine, take the same amount of medicine again. If vomiting continues, check with your doctor.
Side Effects
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
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- Chest pain, pain, redness, or burning at place of injection, shortness of breath, skin rash, hives, and/or itching, tightness in chest, troubled breathing, wheezing
Rare
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
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- Constipation, diarrhea, fever, headache
More common
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- Abdominal pain or stomach cramps, burning, tingling, or prickling sensations, dizziness or lightheadedness , drowsiness, dryness of mouth, feeling cold, itching , unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor.
Phenergran
Description
Phenothiazine (FEE-noe-THYE-a-zeen) -derivative antihistamines are used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of hay fever and other types of allergy. They work by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine, which is produced by the body. Histamine can cause itching, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. Also, in some persons histamine can close up the bronchial tubes (air passages of the lungs) and make breathing difficult.
Some of these antihistamines are also used to prevent motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. In addition, some of them may be used to help people go to sleep and control their anxiety before or after surgery.
Phenothiazine-derivative antihistamines may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
In the U.S. these antihistamines are available only with your doctor’s prescription. In Canada some are available without a prescription. However, your doctor may have special instructions on the proper dose of the medicine for your medical condition.
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:
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- Sore throat and fever, unusual bleeding or bruising, unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common or rare
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- Clumsiness or unsteadiness, convulsions (seizures), drowsiness (severe), dryness of mouth, nose, or throat (severe), feeling faint, flushing or redness of face, hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there), muscle spasms (especially of neck and back) , restlessness, shortness of breath or troubled breathing, shuffling walk, tic-like (jerky) movements of head and face, trembling and shaking of hands, trouble in sleeping
Symptoms of overdose
Other side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. However, check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome:
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- Drowsiness (less common with methdilazine), thickening of mucus
More common
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- Blurred vision or any change in vision, burning or stinging of rectum (with rectal suppository), confusion, difficult or painful urination, dizziness, dryness of mouth, nose, or throat, fast heartbeat, feeling faint, increased sensitivity of skin to sun , increased sweating, loss of appetite, nightmares, ringing or buzzing in ears, skin rash, unusual excitement, nervousness, restlessness, or irritability
Less common or rare
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your health care professional.
Updated July 2003
Taken http://health.yahoo.com/health/drugs/p.html)