Reviewed by Virginia Chachati MPharm
(2013, University College London)
GPhC Registration number: 2087654
Information last reviewed 08/02/21
Buccastem is a tablet that dissolves in your mouth and helps treat nausea and vomiting caused by migraines.
Buccastem contains the antiemetic medicine prochlorperazine. It works by blocking the dopamine receptors in the vomiting centre of the brain. This stops the nerves from communicating feelings of nausea, preventing the vomiting reflex from being triggered.
Dose |
1 or 2 tablets twice a day for no longer than 2 days |
Type of Medicine | Phenothiazine antipsychotic for nausea |
Mechanism |
Blocks certain dopamine receptors, preventing the triggering of the vomiting reflex |
Available Size |
8 tablets |
Available Strengths |
3mg |
Active Ingredient |
Prochlorperazine maleate |
Price |
From £2.25 per tablet |
Side Effects |
Can include jaundice, blood problems, absence of menstrual periods, breast tenderness and swelling (in men as well as women), milk secreting from the breasts not due to breastfeeding, feelings of restlessness and anxiety |
The active ingredient in Buccastem is prochlorperazine.
The other ingredients in Buccastem are compressible sugar (sucrose), povidone K30, xanthan gum, locust bean gum, talc, magnesium stearate and riboflavin sodium phosphate.
Buccastem should not be swallowed or chewed. To use Buccastem, place the tablet underneath your upper lip alongside your gum. The tablet will soften and stick to the gum. It dissolves slowly, and the medicine will be absorbed through your gum into your bloodstream. Do not touch or move the tablet around, and do not eat while you have a Buccastem tablet in your mouth.
You should take 1 or 2 tablets twice a day, for a maximum of two days. Always take Buccastem as your doctor or pharmacist has prescribed.
If you forget to take Buccastem, use it as soon as you remember if you still feel nauseous. Do not take double the dose to make up for a missed one.
If you take too much Buccastem then seek medical attention straight away. Take the packet with you so that the doctor can see what you've taken.
Possible side effects of Buccastem include:
Rare side effects of Buccastem may include:
Serious side effects that need immediate medical attention include:
Do not use Buccastem if:
Talk to your doctor before taking Buccastem if any of the following apply to you:
Buccastem can increase your sensitivity to sunlight. So try to use sun protection and avoid direct exposure to the sun while you are using Buccastem.
Certain medicines may interact with Buccastem. If you are taking any of the following medicines, make sure you tell your doctor:
Buccastem should not be used during pregnancy. Speak to your doctor for advice on an alternative.
You should not drink alcohol while taking Buccastem.
Buccastem can cause drowsiness so you should not drive or operate machinery after taking it.
Buccastem is a medicine that helps treat nausea and vomiting. You can use Buccastem alongside painkillers or a different type of migraine treatment. There are other types of antiemetics which work in a similar way to Buccastem. These include:
Like Buccastem, Stemetil also contains prochlorperazine. Stemetil is essentially the same medicine as Buccastem, except it comes in tablet, syrup and injection form instead of dissolving in the mouth.
The best way to prevent a migraine is to identify what is triggering them, and avoid those triggers. Keep a diary to record where and when your migraines take place, the environmental factors that are present, and anything you eat or drink. Try to drink plenty of water to stay hydrated, eat a healthy balanced diet and get enough exercise to stay well.
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