Question

QR, a 34-year-old woman, has been vomiting for 48 hours. In the past 12 hours, QR has had vomiting and diarrhea. Prochlorperazine 10 mg was administered intramuscula

1. Why was prochlorperazine given intramuscularly and not orally or rectally? Why should it be given deep into the muscle?
2. What are the side effects of prochlorperazine?

QR was prescribed diphenoxylate with atropine 2.5 mg initially then 1 mg after each loose stool.

1. For which clinical conditions is the use of diphenoxylate with atropine contraindicated?
2. What are some over-the-counter (OTC) antidiarrheals that may be recommended to QR?

Answer 1

Answer:Prochlorperazine is given intramusculary and not orally or rectally in case of patient having vomiting and diarrhea because this causes hurdle in drug absorption orally due to vomiting. So, Intramusculary drug Administration increases the effectiveness and it is faster than oral or rectal route.

The drug should be given deep in to the muscles because tissues of the muscles has large blood supply as compared to the skin.

The side effects of prochlorperazine are:

• Drowsiness
• Anxiety
• Insomnia
• Fatigue

Answer: In diarrhea the use of diphenoxylate with atropine is contraindicated.