Drug interactions
Lithium + Prochlorperazine
Severity: Major
Lithium and Prochlorperazine: major interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Combining a phenothiazine with lithium has been associated with neurotoxicity, including confusion, tremor, and extrapyramidal signs, sometimes even at normal lithium levels. Rarely, severe encephalopathic syndromes have been described.
What this interaction means in plain words
Lithium and Prochlorperazine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Lithium belongs to Central Nervous System; Prochlorperazine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Multiple pharmacodynamic mechanisms, including additive dopamine blockade and altered neuronal lithium effects, though the exact mechanism is not established.
What to do
Monitor for neurological symptoms such as tremor, rigidity, confusion and fever, and check serum lithium levels. Stop the combination if neurotoxicity appears.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Prochlorperazine
- Dronedarone + Prochlorperazine Contraindicated
- Ibutilide + Prochlorperazine Contraindicated
- Nilotinib + Prochlorperazine Contraindicated
- Pimozide + Prochlorperazine Contraindicated
- Prochlorperazine + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Prochlorperazine Major
Other interactions of Lithium
- Lithium + Thioridazine Contraindicated
- Lithium + Vandetanib Contraindicated
- Aceclofenac + Lithium Major
- Acemetacin + Lithium Major
- Amisulpride + Lithium Major
- Amlodipine-benazepril + Lithium Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Lithium with Prochlorperazine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Lithium and Prochlorperazine can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Combining a phenothiazine with lithium has been associated with neurotoxicity, including confusion, tremor, and extrapyramidal signs, sometimes even at normal lithium levels. Rarely, severe encephalopathic syndromes have been described.
How serious is the interaction between Lithium and Prochlorperazine?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor for neurological symptoms such as tremor, rigidity, confusion and fever, and check serum lithium levels. Stop the combination if neurotoxicity appears.
What other medicines interact with Prochlorperazine?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Prochlorperazine with, for example, Dronedarone, Ibutilide, Nilotinib. The full list is on the Prochlorperazine page.
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