Compazine: Uses, Side Effects, Warnings, and Dosing Information

Generic Name: Compazine (prochlorperazine)

Compazine Reviews

For Anxiety "I went to the ER twice for migraines, and both times they gave me Compazine. The worst experience of my life. I felt like I was going to tear the walls down, I just wanted to tell everyone to shut up. I couldn’t stand the noise or the talking. I couldn’t even stand my phone ringing, and me having to answer, I didn’t even want to text. Now I suffer from severe anxiety, and I have never felt so restless, agitated, and anxious. I thought I was going to pull my hair out. Since I drove myself to the ER, I had to drive myself back, which I made it home, but while home, I wanted to just jump out of my window. I took one Benadryl, and it didn’t help, it just made me feel more restless. I had to take Ativan, and it helped to the point where I was able to sleep, but even in my sleep, I was jittery and still a bit anxious, shaking. My husband doesn’t believe me, and it is hard to explain, but now that I read these stories, I know now I’m allergic to Compazine."


For Anxiety "I should not have been given this drug in the emergency room. As soon as it was given, an extreme heat went through me. I immediately felt panicked, like the walls were closing in. I didn't feel like I was in my body. I kept begging for a reversal. I kept saying I was allergic. My skin felt like it needed to be taken off. I heard voices in my head and couldn't stop moving. I was crying and screaming for help. This medication made me feel like it was the end of me, like everyone was trying to hurt me. This didn't go away in an hour. It took days. I am still scared and frightened."


For Anxiety "I was seen in the ER last night for a migraine I had had for 2 days. Feeling thankful, I was finally going to get some relief. They gave me a dose of Benadryl and Compazine through the IV, along with fluids. About 3-4 minutes later, I was climbing out of the hospital bed, crying, pulling off my BP cuff and IV. I have never in my life felt like this. I work in healthcare and have never seen this either. I thought I was alone until I read everyone’s comments. Never again will I ever take this drug. The headache was gone but the aftermath was so bad I would have rather kept the headache. It’s been over 24 hours and I still feel like I can’t sleep or sit still. Worst thing ever! They tried to reverse the drug and gave me something to relax me. I don’t know when this feeling will go away or if it even will. Worst, and I mean worst feeling I’ve ever had!"


For Nausea/Vomiting "I was hospitalized for 4 days due to infection. Well, one of the nurses asked me if I felt nauseous, and I should've said NO because I was barely nauseous. She gave me Compazine over IV, and the worst feeling of dread, terror, anxiety, heart palpitations, restlessness, and panic took control over me for a whole week. Even after I was discharged, I had extreme panic attacks even in the middle of the night. While at the hospital, I wanted to keep running away and scream just to get away from the overwhelming feeling of HORROR. My husband had to keep praying for me. I couldn't sleep. The final night before the medicine finally wore off was when I started hyperventilating. My husband had to literally slap my face 4 times to calm me down! Because of that one medication, I developed a phobia of taking medicines and sometimes eating new food. I had never known panic or anxiety ever before Compazine. It still grips me with fear."


"Please, please if you have any type of manic disorder or are prone to have anxiety, please reconsider this drug. This was one of the scariest nights of my life when I was administered this in the ER. Within 15 minutes, I immediately felt off. My body was on fire and I couldn’t stop sweating, and then my heart was racing. I couldn’t control my anxiety. Then, my legs started having spasms and I couldn’t stay still. It felt like the world was closing in and I genuinely remember thinking I was going to die that night. I even tried to rip my own IV out. It amazes me that a medicine like this is still around. I’ve never been in a state of psychosis this badly and I encourage you to please PLEASE really reconsider this drug."


For Nausea/Vomiting "It's been 2 weeks and I am still feeling the terrible side effects (pacing, tremors, etc). For those of you that have posted previously, can you please provide updates on how long it took to feel like yourself again? I need some hope that this will go away. :("


For Nausea/Vomiting "Another horror story about Compazine. I went to the ER with a migraine and neck pain that would not break. The doctor gave me their “migraine cocktail” and a few minutes later, I started shaking. I struggle with anxiety and was obviously upset because of the headache, so at first, I thought that was it. However, as time went on, I got more and more agitated. I couldn’t sit still or stop moving my legs. I wanted to rip out my IV and leave! I even tried to disconnect it a few times. Eventually, I just sat there, crying and rocking back and forth on my bed like I was going crazy. I told the doctor how I was feeling, and she said it was common. She gave me some Ativan which helped after 2 or 3 hours. I’m so thankful I was able to sleep after that. What a terrifying experience. I will be putting this on my allergy list. Please check before you get a “migraine cocktail!”"


For Anxiety "Last week, I was sent to the ER for a terrible migraine and anxiety/panic attack. They gave me Tylenol, Benadryl, and Compazine as a migraine cocktail they called it. As they gave me Compazine, they told me that it would cause me to have more anxiety. I have never experienced the feeling that I had after being given Compazine. I was extremely panicked and couldn’t stay still. I wanted to rip out my IV and just felt like I had to leave and go home. I told the nurse I was feeling like I had to leave and extremely panicked and restless. I couldn’t calm down and felt like I was fighting against my own body. The nurses just told me that they warned me that it would cause more anxiety. I still can’t figure out why they would give me that knowing I was already having anxiety. I will never ever take Compazine again."


For Anxiety "(Male, 24) I have severe Crohn's disease and have been around the block a few times when it comes to nausea meds. At one point while admitted in the hospital, I was given Compazine intravenously to alleviate my nausea symptoms. After about 10 minutes or so, I started to experience a severe panic attack. I was convulsing, I started to rip out my hair, and I could no longer speak words. Therefore, I wasn't able to properly tell the nurse what was wrong with me. The physical sensations of panic and the illogical thought process I was experiencing were so powerful that for a moment I considered taking my own life, just to make it stop. I endured this feeling for more than 15 minutes before the night doctor was able to arrive and properly sedate me. That was one of the most traumatizing experiences of my life. I literally wanted my life to be over."


For Nausea/Vomiting "Just for the record, the reviews on this site are absolutely real. I know because it happened to me, and I’ve talked to at least a heap people over the past 2 years who have experienced its bad side effects as well. This drug causes akathisia in some, which is why so many of the reviews are similar. Just because it didn’t happen to you doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. Compazine ruined my life, and I only took it ONCE. Proceed with caution."


For Anxiety "I went to the ER last night for a migraine and other issues. I was given a Compazine cocktail. My migraine was much better. But a few minutes later, while I was talking to the doctor, I started getting extremely panicked. It felt like I couldn’t be there anymore. I wanted to rip my IV out. I canceled my ultrasound test so I could get out quicker. My husband told the doctor and nurse I was having extreme anxiety, and they both kept shrugging it off. I just kept yelling I want to go home! I took off my blood pressure cuff and my heart monitor, and I would have ripped that IV out too. I attributed it to the panic attacks I get occasionally. My husband kept saying he bet it’s the medications. The new nurse came in and knew what was wrong with me, saying it can cause “uneasiness” in people. I am now suffering from PTSD. I have severe panic about ending up in the hospital for what’s wrong with me. I have been up and down all day, even though my body is exhausted. I cannot believe this many people have had the same experiences."


For Nausea/Vomiting "I received this medicine on May 7 2023 and I haven’t been the same since I left the hospital. It has now been 3 weeks and I still feel off, I can’t explain it but I’ve been feeling off like I’m not myself and won’t even be able to get back to myself. Does anybody have any advice on how to get back to being yourself or how long it may take?"


For Nausea/Vomiting "I can promise you these negative reviews are not false. Just because it didn't happen to you doesn't mean it didn't happen to us. This medication is horrible! It should not be used for anything. I went to the ER a few years ago, and my life hasn't been the same since. The panic attacks I developed after that medication were brutal. Never had panic symptoms before that night I went to the ER. It took me a long time to recover from that medication. Do not take it!"


For Nausea/Vomiting "Every one of these "reviews" are IDENTICAL symptoms. I question whether they are authentic. Get real people. The story barely changes. For me Compazine is an excellent medication for acute migraine nausea and vomiting. I now have it for my PRN migraine medications & I really prefer it to phenergan."


For Nausea/Vomiting "I received Compazine via IV in the hospital for vomiting. Within 20 minutes, I was pulling off my clothes, my heart was racing, and I was having suicidal thoughts. I was legitimately in a full-blown psychotic attack, which has never happened before. Hours later, I still felt jittery, anxious, and could not sit still. I will NEVER take this medication again. It stopped my vomiting; however, I’d rather vomit than experience psychosis. Worst experience ever. Never again."


For Anxiety "I was first given Compazine in the hospital for severe nausea associated with a migraine. I suffer from migraines, generalized anxiety, and panic attacks, but I was admitted to the hospital due to the worst panic attack I've ever had. They were giving me Valium, but cautiously. When the nurse gave me Compazine for the first time, my nausea and anxiety left at the same time, and quickly too. I was able to finally rest/sleep comfortably. Even though it is prescribed for nausea, I would recommend asking your doctor about Compazine for anxiety. It will make you sleepy, but like I said, the feeling of being comfortable in my own skin for a change is worth it."


For Anxiety "I was admitted to the ER for a severe migraine. They did the usual migraine cocktail + anti-nausea med (Compazine). I'd not heard of it before. Within 60 seconds, my world felt like it was coming to a complete end. I felt as though I was out of my own body, trapped in my skin. I was on fire. I tore my BP cuff off. I was on all fours on the ER bed, rocking, crying, hitting the call light like my life depended on it. For what felt like hours, I waited. And my poor boyfriend watched in horror. I sobbed, I begged him to get me out of there. I remember what last shred of sanity I felt as I looked at my IV and began to mentally disassemble it, thinking how I'd get it out of me. I wanted to run. I wanted to die on the floor. Finally, the nurse came. All I gasped was 'I'm falling apart, I can't breathe. Please help!'. I was given IV Ativan. Within ~30 seconds, I felt my heart rate slowing and I didn't want to climb the walls into the ceiling. Worst experience of my life. Never AGAIN!"


For Anxiety "I went to the ER 4 days ago with what was assumed to be a horrible migraine. I’ve had them since I was 12 but had never had anything like this. When I got there, the doctor was very cold and dismissive when I was terrified. Long story short, she said she was going to order me to get Toradol, Benadryl, and Compazine (the migraine concoction). I have had Toradol before, and everyone has had Benadryl, so I wasn’t concerned. It took forever for me to get it, and within less than a minute, I felt like I was having a heart attack. I do have panic disorder, but this was different, I started sweating profusely, I was nauseous, my heart rate and my blood pressure skyrocketed, I felt that I was trying to come out of my own skin, and there was zero way to make it stop. I begged to have it reversed, and they gave me Ativan, which did not work, and I refused another dose of Ativan because I was too scared to get any other medications. After days of feeling horrible, I will never have this drug again."


For Nausea/Vomiting "Reading all the posts makes me feel less crazy. I highly advise everyone to not take this medication. I have anxiety and I have panic attacks, so I thought it was just me, but I have never had one come on so terribly for no reason. Then I realized it was the medication. I was given that with Benadryl through an IV. Within 30 minutes, I was restless. I panicked. I had an overwhelming feeling to rip out my IV and run. I wanted to be home. I was crying hysterically, begging to go home. My teeth wouldn't stop chattering, and I couldn't stop wiggling around. It was a very bad and overwhelming experience. The practitioner then let us know that can happen with this medication. I also learned it's for anxiety and schizophrenia, but I don't understand how when it makes you feel so very upset and out of body. I will never take this again."


For Anxiety "I went in for a severe migraine. They never told me the side effects. After 15 minutes of it, I thought I was going to jump out of my skin. I was nervous and scared. I had to call my mom crying to come get me out of there. I took my blood pressure cuff off and kept walking to the bathroom and just trying to pace. I had no idea it was the medicine until before I left. I asked what was wrong with me. They told me it was normal effects from this drug. For 24 hours, I had to take 2 Benadryl every 4 hours to keep me knocked out because my heart was racing so hard and thought something was going to happen to me. It’s been 36 hours, and I still have anxiety. This stuff should not be given to anyone. It’s HORRRRRRIBLE!"


For Anxiety "Just got out of the ER with my daughter. She got the 'migraine cocktail' with Compazine as well. She became irritable at the hospital and just wanted to leave. They finally discharged her, and she started feeling nauseous on the way home. Has been vomiting for an hour now and full of anxiety. She's begging for it 'to just stop.' Nothing online for a counter agent. I am annoyed because my wife mentioned the drug gave her lockjaw as a child, but the doctor said drug allergies/reactions are not hereditary. And he also never mentioned any side effects until we got home and called back to find out if she needed to return. It may work for some people, but be wary. My family is no longer taking it. Two strikes and you are out."


For Nausea/Vomiting "I went to the Urgent Care for an especially debilitating migraine and was given some medication through an IV. Almost immediately, I felt like ripping out my IV and jumping off the top of the building! Finally, the nurse came in and kinda chuckled at my sobbing hysterical state, saying that, 'Some patients have this kind of reaction to Compazine, but you can be glad it's all done.' But for a while after, I kept going to the restroom, thinking if I just did a 'normal thing' like peeing, I would suddenly feel 'normal again,' but I continued to feel panicked. I got Benadryl through an IV, and I fell asleep. When I woke up, I was frantic to get out of there. I still had a bad headache and felt so panicky but had to get out of there because I was so afraid. I learned that reaction is called a panic attack and have had several more since then. I still get migraines too but know to never again accept treatment at all similar to this nightmare drug."


For Psychosis "Was seen in the ER for a terrible migraine. I have been seen in this ER a few times for really bad migraines, and I've always been given Toradol/Phenergan, which had always worked. Well, this time my doctor says screw what works and gave me some 'migraine cocktail' with Compazine and Benadryl. About 2 minutes later, I was absolutely losing my mind! I felt like my skin was crawling off my body! I couldn't sit still, I just wanted to be out of my skin! I had ripped my blood pressure cuff and oxygen off and was punching the wall and jumping up and down! I've never acted like this before and have never, ever, ever had anything like this happen! I seriously would have run out into traffic if it meant that I would not feel like this anymore! Finally, a nurse comes in and gives me Ativan, which alleviates my psychosis."


For Anxiety "Was given this medicine through an IV with a cocktail of other drugs to treat my headache because I got a concussion and was in the ER. Gave me a severe panic attack, I woke up crying and wailing, wanting to rip the IV out of my arm. I could not sleep, felt as if I was suffocating and could not breathe or get enough air. That night I went home, I could not sleep without severe anxiety and my heart racing like crazy. Still felt as if I could not breathe. Woke up this morning and felt the same but not as severe. Could not sit still and felt extremely restless or do anything normal and have been looking up to see if these symptoms are normal and am not surprised to see that many other people experience this too with Compazine. I don't know when I will go back to normal, but STAY AWAY FROM THIS DRUG."


For Nausea/Vomiting "I went into the ER for a migraine. The nurse gave me a 'cocktail' of meds: Toradol, Compazine, and Benadryl. He told me my migraine should be gone within 15 minutes. BUT within minutes of the Compazine being given to me through IV, I felt the worst I have ever felt. Agitated, restless, scared. It was the worst anxiety/panic I have felt. I wanted to die so bad. I NEEDED help and I kept calling out, and they just told me 'it'll wear off.' I was hollering and crying and upset and absolutely terrified. I couldn't stop shaking, I wanted to rip my IV out and run out of there as fast as I could. It's been 2 weeks and I still don't feel like myself. I have these bursts of panic and nausea, I feel completely and utterly distraught. I told my doctor about it, but they just dismissed me. I'm scared this feeling will never go away. It was completely traumatizing, and I don't recommend this to anyone ever. I do not wish this on my worst enemy, and you couldn't get me to take this again for a billion dollars."

More about Compazine (prochlorperazine)

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Professional resources

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