Stemetil

Stemetil is a brand name for prochlorperazine, a phenothiazine derivative used primarily as an antiemetic. It works as a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist in the chemoreceptor trigger zone of the brain, helping to reduce nausea and vomiting. Prochlorperazine also has anticholinergic and sedating effects, which can contribute to its clinical actions in certain conditions such as vertigo.

Stemetil is available in several forms, including oral tablets, rectal suppositories, and injectable preparations. It is prescribed for nausea and vomiting from various causes, including postoperative states, as well as for vertigo and, in some settings, migraine-associated nausea. In practice, it is sometimes used to control severe nausea in emergency or hospital settings and to provide short-term relief when other antiemetics are unsuitable.

Contraindications include known hypersensitivity to prochlorperazine or other phenothiazines, and conditions such as coma or significant CNS depression. It is used with caution in the elderly and in individuals with Parkinson’s disease or other movement disorders, and it is generally avoided or used only with caution in pregnancy and breastfeeding due to potential risks to the fetus or infant.

Common side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, and blurred vision. More serious but less common adverse effects can include extrapyramidal symptoms (such as acute dystonia or restlessness) with longer use, as well as hypotension and, rarely, neuroleptic malignant syndrome. As with other CNS-active drugs, Stemetil can interact with alcohol and other sedatives, as well as with drugs that affect dopamine pathways.

Stemetil is marketed in many countries and is also available as generic prochlorperazine. Availability and labeling vary by region.