Drug Name

Compazine (Prochlorperazine)

Drug Uses

Compazine is used for controlling severe nausea and vomiting and treating schizophrenia. It is also used for the short-term (4 weeks) treatment of generalized nonpsychotic anxiety. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

How Taken

Use Compazine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Compazine by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.

Drug Class and Mechanism

Compazine is a phenothiazine. It works by blocking a certain chemical (dopamine) in the brain.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of Compazine, skip the missed dose. Go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Storage

Store Compazine at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Brief storage between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Compazine out of the reach of children and away from pets.

Warnings/Precautions

Do not use Compazine if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Compazine;
• you are taking astemizole, cisapride, or terfenadine;
• you have severe central nervous system depression.

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Some medical conditions may interact with Compazine . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have a history of heart disease, central nervous system depression, blood problems, liver problems, low blood pressure, increased pressure in the eye, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, tardive dyskinesia, bone marrow problems, unusual muscle movements, Parkinson disease, a predisposition to glaucoma, Reye syndrome, prostate problems, or seizures, or you have alcoholism

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Compazine . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Anticholinergics (eg, diphenhydramine, oxybutynin, scopolamine) or lithium because they may decrease Compazine 's effectiveness
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), anticholinergics (eg, diphenhydramine, oxybutynin, scopolamine), general anesthetics (eg, thiopental), haloperidol, methyldopa, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the risk of side effects, such as seizures, may be increased
• ACE inhibitors (eg, enalapril), anticholinergics (eg, diphenhydramine, oxybutynin, scopolamine), astemizole, cisapride, dofetilide, haloperidol, hydantoins (eg, phenytoin), methyldopa, metrizamide, naltrexone, polypeptide antibiotics (eg, actinomycin), serotonin receptor antagonist antiemetics (eg, ondansetron), terfenadine, tramadol, trazodone, or tricyclic antidepressants (eg, amitriptyline) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Compazine
• Bromocriptine, guanethidine, levodopa, or pergolide because their effectiveness may be decreased by Compazine
• Lithium because unexpected toxic effects may occur

Possible Side Effects

Check with your doctor if any of these most common side effects persist or become bothersome:

• blurred vision; chills; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; jitteriness; nasal congestion; sleeplessness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these severe side effects occur:

• severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); agitation; altered mental abilities, including lack of response to your surroundings; changes in breasts; changes in menstrual period; changes in vision; difficulty swallowing; drooling; excessive sweating; fever; inability to move eyes; increased body heat; involuntary movements of tongue, face, mouth, or jaw (e.g., protrusion of tongue, puffing of cheeks, puckering of mouth, chewing movements); irregular or fast heartbeat; mask-like face; muscle stiffness; muscle spasms of face, neck, or back; prolonged or painful erection; restlessness; rigid muscles; shuffling walk; sore throat; tension in legs; tremors; twitching or twisting movements; unusual eye movements; weakness of arms or legs; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

More Information

Compazine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.