Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsUsesContraindicationsDosagesSide EffectsInteractions
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Uses
Contraindications
Dosages
Side Effects
Interactions
Compazine (prochlorperazine) is a prescription drug approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and severe nausea and vomiting.It is sometimes used off-label as an emergency migraine treatment.Theantipsychoticandantiemeticdrug is available in tablet, capsule, suppository, syrup, and injectable formulations.
Although effective, Compzazine can cause side effects ranging from sedation and movement disorders to a rare but potentially life-threatening condition known asneuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).Compazine can also interact with numerous drugs and should not be used in children under 2, during pregnancy or breastfeeding, or in older adults withdementia.
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Compazine, first approved for use in 1956, is no longer sold under that brand name in the United States.Today, it is mostly sold as a generic drug or under other brand names such as Ametil, Buccastem, Compro, Emedrotec, Mitil, Novamin, Proazine, Procomp, Promat, Promtil, Seratil, Stemetil, Vergon, Vestil, and Volimin.
Compazine, first approved for use in 1956, is no longer sold under that brand name in the United States.
Today, it is mostly sold as a generic drug or under other brand names such as Ametil, Buccastem, Compro, Emedrotec, Mitil, Novamin, Proazine, Procomp, Promat, Promtil, Seratil, Stemetil, Vergon, Vestil, and Volimin.
By blocking these receptors, prochlorperazine not only helps temper the abnormal brain activity associated with schizophrenia and anxiety but also activity in a part of the brain called the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) that is responsible for the vomiting reflex (emesis).
Off-Label Uses
Among them, the American Headache Association recommends prochlorperazine as the first-line treatment for severemigrainesin emergency settings due to its effectiveness and quick action.
Prochlorperazine isnotused for migraine or headache prevention. It is rarely if ever used on an ongoing basis for migraines or headaches due to the potential for severe side effects.
Who Should Not Take Compazine
There are certain groups in whom prochlorperazine should not be used under any circumstance. These include:
Formulations and Dosages
Prochlorperazine is available as a film-coated tablet, extended-release capsule, oral syrup, or rectal suppository. It can also be given as an intramuscular (IM) injection into a large muscle or an intravenous (IV) infusion into a vein.
For adults, Compazine is typically prescribed as follows:
For children, the recommended dosage is based on the child’s weight (in pounds) or age:
As with all drugs, there are side effects associated with Compazine use. The risk of side effects is greater at larger doses or when the drug is used for an extended period.
Common side effects include:
On rare occasions, a person may develop more serious symptoms that require either a dose adjustment or treatment discontinuation. These include:
Drug Interactions
Compazine can interact with other medications that make you sleepy or drowsy, including:
Compazine should not be used with any of the following drugs:
Doing so may alter the concentration of one or the other drug, raising it to potentially toxic levels or lowering it to levels where it becomes ineffective.
Other drug interactions are possible. To avoid interactions, advise your healthcare provider of any medications or supplements you take, whether prescription, over-the-counter, or recreational.
Summary
Compazine (prochlorperazine) is a prescription drug approved for the treatment of schizophrenia and severe nausea and vomiting in adults and children over 2 years of age. It can also be used in emergencies to treat severe migraines, rebound headaches, and headaches that are resistant to painkillers.
Compazine is available as a tablet, capsule, syrup, suppository, or intramuscular or intravenous injection. Common side effects include sedation and agitation. With prolonged use, a person may experience parkinsonism and tardive dyskinesia. In rare cases, Compazine can cause a potentially life-threatening reaction known as neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.GlaxoSmithKline.Compazine 3 4 brand of 5 prochlorperazine 6 antiemetic • antipsychotic • tranquilizer.Weatherall MW.Drug therapy in headache.Clin Med (Lond). 2015 Jun;15(3):273–279. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.15-3-273MedlinePlus.Prochlorperazine.Harvard Health.Dopamine: the pathway to pleasure.National Library of Medicine.Prochlorperazine.Orr SL, Friedman BW, Christie S, et al.Management of adults with acute migraine in the emergency department: the American Headache Society evidence assessment of parenteral pharmacotherapies.Headache. 2016;56(6):911-40. doi:10.1111/head.12835DailyMed.Label: prochloperazine maleate tablet, film-coated.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.GlaxoSmithKline.Compazine 3 4 brand of 5 prochlorperazine 6 antiemetic • antipsychotic • tranquilizer.Weatherall MW.Drug therapy in headache.Clin Med (Lond). 2015 Jun;15(3):273–279. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.15-3-273MedlinePlus.Prochlorperazine.Harvard Health.Dopamine: the pathway to pleasure.National Library of Medicine.Prochlorperazine.Orr SL, Friedman BW, Christie S, et al.Management of adults with acute migraine in the emergency department: the American Headache Society evidence assessment of parenteral pharmacotherapies.Headache. 2016;56(6):911-40. doi:10.1111/head.12835DailyMed.Label: prochloperazine maleate tablet, film-coated.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
GlaxoSmithKline.Compazine 3 4 brand of 5 prochlorperazine 6 antiemetic • antipsychotic • tranquilizer.Weatherall MW.Drug therapy in headache.Clin Med (Lond). 2015 Jun;15(3):273–279. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.15-3-273MedlinePlus.Prochlorperazine.Harvard Health.Dopamine: the pathway to pleasure.National Library of Medicine.Prochlorperazine.Orr SL, Friedman BW, Christie S, et al.Management of adults with acute migraine in the emergency department: the American Headache Society evidence assessment of parenteral pharmacotherapies.Headache. 2016;56(6):911-40. doi:10.1111/head.12835DailyMed.Label: prochloperazine maleate tablet, film-coated.
GlaxoSmithKline.Compazine 3 4 brand of 5 prochlorperazine 6 antiemetic • antipsychotic • tranquilizer.
Weatherall MW.Drug therapy in headache.Clin Med (Lond). 2015 Jun;15(3):273–279. doi:10.7861/clinmedicine.15-3-273
MedlinePlus.Prochlorperazine.
Harvard Health.Dopamine: the pathway to pleasure.
National Library of Medicine.Prochlorperazine.
Orr SL, Friedman BW, Christie S, et al.Management of adults with acute migraine in the emergency department: the American Headache Society evidence assessment of parenteral pharmacotherapies.Headache. 2016;56(6):911-40. doi:10.1111/head.12835
DailyMed.Label: prochloperazine maleate tablet, film-coated.
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