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Compazine vs. Phenergan

Prochlorperazine is used to treat severe nausea and vomiting. It's also used to improve mood, thoughts, and behaviors for people with schizophrenia and anxiety. It's not a first-choice medication because it can cause serious side effects, such as extreme sleepiness, falls, and uncontrolled muscle movements. Prochlorperazine comes as a tablet that's taken by mouth, typically 3 to 4 times daily. The brand name version of prochlorperazine (Compazine) is no longer available.

• Severe nausea and vomiting
• Schizophrenia
• Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD)

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Absent menstrual periods
• Blurry vision
• Low blood pressure

• Higher risk of death in older adults with dementia-related psychosis
• Difficulty controlling muscle movements (tardive dyskinesia)
• Other conditions with uncontrolled muscle movements (dystonia, Parkinsonian symptoms, and restlessness)
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS)
• Cover up more serious health problems
• Higher risk of infections
• Higher risk of falls
• Liver problems
• Seizures
• High prolactin levels
• Difficulty maintaining normal body temperature

Promethazine is a prescription medication with many uses, such as treatment or prevention of nausea, motion sickness, and allergy symptoms. Promethazine works by blocking several chemicals, including histamine, dopamine, and acetylcholine. It comes as tablets, an oral solution, rectal suppositories, and an injection. The dose of promethazine and how often you take it depends on your age and what medical condition you're taking it to treat. But it shouldn't be given to children younger than 2 years of age since it can cause serious breathing problems. Common side effects include sleepiness and dizziness.

• Runny nose, watery eyes, and other symptoms of allergies
• Runny or stuffy nose that isn't caused by allergies
• Rash, swelling, anaphylaxis, and other symptoms of an allergic reaction
• Dermographism
• Treatment or prevention of nausea and vomiting before and after surgery
• Treatment or prevention of motion sickness
• Treatment of pain along with other pain medications after surgery
• Help to relax your body and produce a light sleep, particularly before a procedure

• Feeling drowsy or tired
• Dizziness
• Confusion
• Dry mouth
• Nervousness
• Blurry vision

The following side effects are those additionally reported with promethazine injection at the injection site:

• Burning
• Pain
• Rash
• Swelling

• Potentially life-threatening slow breathing (respiratory depression)
• Serious tissue injury (Injection only)
• Excessive sleepiness
• Worsening of certain health problems
• Seizures
• Higher risk of infection (from low white blood cell count)
• Risk of serious nerve problems (neuroleptic malignant syndrome)
• Uncontrollable body movements