Key takeaways
Prochlorperazine and chlorpromazine are both antipsychotic medications used for nausea and vomiting and schizophrenia, but they have different uses and side effects. Prochlorperazine is also used to treat generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), while chlorpromazine is used for a wider range of conditions, including pre-surgery anxiety, bipolar disorder, and severe behavioral issues in children. Chlorpromazine is available in more forms (oral, intramuscular, and intravenous) compared to prochlorperazine, which is available as an oral tablet, injection, and suppository. Prochlorperazine is typically taken 3 to 4 times daily, while chlorpromazine's dosing varies from 2 to 4 times a day depending on the condition being treated. Both medications can cause serious side effects like neuroleptic malignant syndrome and should be avoided in older adults with dementia-related psychosis due to a higher risk of death.
