Canadian Brand Names

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

Mexican Brand Names

Sinogan

Dosage Forms

• This medicine is available as an injection, a liquid, and a tablet.

Pharmacologic Category

Analgesic, Nonopioid

Is it safe for my child to take this medicine?

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

• Not if your child has an allergy to methotrimeprazine, phenothiazines, or any other part of this medicine.

• Be sure to let healthcare provider know if your child has any allergies or reactions to medicine, food preservatives, or dyes. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected your child. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or any other symptoms involved.

• Not if your child has any of the following conditions: Bleeding disorder, severe heart disease, severe liver disease, or seizures.

Why does my child need this medicine?

• 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 this medicine 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 this medicine given?

Oral:

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

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

Injection:

• This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle.

How long does this medicine take to work?

• Your child may start feeling better soon after starting this medicine.

• If treating schizophrenia, it may take 6 weeks to see the full effect.

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

• Give a missed dose as soon as possible.

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

• Do not give a double dose or extra doses.

What safety measures should I take while my child is using this medicine?

• Check your child's medicines with healthcare provider. This medicine may not mix well with other medicines.

• Avoid giving your child other medicines and natural products that slow actions and reactions.

• This medicine may cause your child to be less alert. Have your child avoid tasks or activities that require alertness. These include playing (for example, riding a bicycle, rollerblading, contact sports) or using items that require concentration or coordination (for example, scissors, lawnmower, electric scooters, or toy cars). Your child's activities should be closely monitored until you see how this medicine affects him/her. School work may be more difficult for your child to focus on and complete.

• Limit your child's caffeine and chocolate intake. Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, and fast heartbeat.

• Your child can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun, sunlamps, and tanning beds. Use sunscreen; dress your child in protective clothing and encourage use of protective eyewear.

• Be careful in hot weather. Encourage your child to drink plenty of fluids to prevent dehydration.

What are some possible side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling lightheaded, sleepy, having blurred vision, or a change in thinking clearly. Have your child avoid tasks or activities that require alertness or clear vision until you see how this medicine affects him/her.

• Feeling dizzy. Rising slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position is recommended. Children should be extra careful climbing stairs.

• Headache.

• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals and frequent mouth care may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy.

• 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 may help. Older children may suck hard, sugar-free candy.

• Weight gain.

What should I monitor?

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

• For the occurrence of side effects.

• Keep a diary of pain control.

• Bowel movements.

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

• Follow up with healthcare provider.

When should I call my child's healthcare provider?

• If any of this information causes you to be concerned, any of the common side effects occur, or if your child's symptoms do not improve after taking this medicine.

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

• If your child shows signs of a life-threatening reaction, call healthcare provider immediately. These include wheezing; chest tightness; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat; or if your child exhibits any other unusual behavior.

• If your child shows signs of severe dizziness or passes out.

• If your child has a fast heartbeat.

• If your child has difficulty breathing.

• If your child shows signs or symptoms of depression, suicidal thoughts, nervousness, emotional ups and downs, abnormal thinking, anxiety, or lack of interest in life.

• If your child has significant change in thinking clearly and logically.

• If your child has shakiness, difficulty moving around, or stiffness.

• If your child has poor pain control.

• If your child has severe nausea or vomiting.

• If your child has severe constipation.

• If your child is unable to pass urine.

• If your child has unusual bruising or bleeding.

• If your child has dark urine or yellow skin or eyes.

• If your child is feeling extremely tired or weak.

• If your child develops a rash.

• No improvement in condition or if you believe your child's condition is worse.

How should I store and/or dispose of this medicine?

• Store at room temperature.

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

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

General statements

• If your child has a life-threatening allergy, he/she should wear allergy identification at all times.

• This medicine is available by prescription only. If there are refills, contact your pharmacy. If no refills remain, you may need to contact your child's healthcare provider.

• This medicine should be thrown out when your child no longer needs it or if the medicine becomes outdated.

• Do not share your child's medicine with others and do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.

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

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

• Talk with your child's healthcare provider before giving him/her any new medicine, including over-the-counter, natural products, or vitamins.

• Medicine can be dangerous if used incorrectly. Follow directions given by healthcare provider.

Created: 2008-01-16 15:24:18.0

Modified: 2008-01-30 13:42:58.0

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