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.

Important:

• Compazine may cause drowsiness, dizziness, blurred vision, or lightheadedness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Compazine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Compazine may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (e.g., sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Compazine; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Compazine before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Compazine may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Compazine. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Avoid exposure to extreme heat while taking Compazine.
• Patients who will be having spinal cord surgery should stop using Compazine at least 48 hours before surgery. Do not use Compazine for at least 24 hours after surgery and do not use it to control nausea and vomiting that has occurred before or after surgery.
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Compazine. Symptoms may include fever; stiff muscles; confusion; abnormal thinking; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.
• Use Compazine with caution in the elderly; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Compazine should not be used in children who are having surgery, who are younger than 2 years old, or who weigh less than 20 pounds; safety and effectiveness in these children have not been confirmed.
• Pregnancy and breast-feeding: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Compazine while you are pregnant. Compazine is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Compazine, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

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.