Prochlorperazine
Say it: proh-klor-PAIR-uh-zeen · Brand names: Compro
Prochlorperazine is a medicine that helps relieve nausea and throwing up.
What it is
Prochlorperazine blocks a brain chemical called dopamine in the part of the brain that controls nausea. This helps calm the urge to throw up. It is often used when nausea breaks through other medicines.
Often used for
- severe nausea and throwing up, including from cancer treatment
- schizophrenia
- short-term anxiety that has not responded to other treatment
How you get it
It comes as a pill, a suppository put in the rectum, or a shot or drip in the clinic or hospital. At home it is often taken only when needed for nausea. Your schedule may be different.
Common side effects and what helps
- Feeling sleepy. Do not drive until you know how it affects you.
- Feeling dizzy or lightheaded. Stand up slowly.
- Dry mouth. Sip water or suck on sugar free candy.
- Blurry vision. Tell your team if it does not go away.
- Constipation. Drink fluids and ask your team about a stool softener.
- Feeling restless or jittery, or a need to keep moving. Tell your team.
Call your care team right away if you have
- Muscle spasms in the neck, jaw, tongue, or eyes, or trouble swallowing
- A high fever with stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, or a fast heartbeat
- Muscle movements you cannot control, especially in the face or tongue
- Fainting, or feeling very weak
- Yellow skin or eyes
- A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, or a sore throat or mouth sores
Before you start, tell your team
- If you have dementia, Parkinson disease, seizures, or glaucoma
- All medicines you take, especially other medicines that make you sleepy
- If you have heart, liver, or blood count problems
- If you are pregnant, may become pregnant, or are breastfeeding
- If the medicine is for a child. It is not for children under 2 years or under 20 pounds.
Good to know
- In older adults with dementia, medicines like this one raise the risk of death.
- It can rarely cause movement problems, including some that may not go away. Tell your team about any new movements.
- It can make you more sensitive to heat and sun. Avoid getting overheated and use sunscreen.
- Avoid alcohol while taking it.
At home
- Take it the way your team told you, often only when you feel sick.
- For a suppository, take off the wrapper and gently push it into the rectum. Wash your hands after.
- If you miss a dose, ask your team what to do.
- Store at room temperature, away from children.
Questions to ask
- How often can I take this when I feel sick?
- Can I take it with my other nausea medicines?
- What should I do if I feel restless or have muscle spasms?
Side effect guides
Sources
Quick answers
- What is Prochlorperazine?
- Prochlorperazine is a medicine that helps relieve nausea and throwing up. Brand names: Compro.
- What is Prochlorperazine used for?
- severe nausea and throwing up, including from cancer treatment; schizophrenia; short-term anxiety that has not responded to other treatment.
- How is Prochlorperazine given?
- It comes as a pill, a suppository put in the rectum, or a shot or drip in the clinic or hospital. At home it is often taken only when needed for nausea. Your schedule may be different.
- What are the common side effects of Prochlorperazine?
- Feeling sleepy. Feeling dizzy or lightheaded. Dry mouth. Blurry vision. Constipation. Feeling restless or jittery, or a need to keep moving.
- When should I call my care team while taking Prochlorperazine?
- Muscle spasms in the neck, jaw, tongue, or eyes, or trouble swallowing; A high fever with stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, or a fast heartbeat; Muscle movements you cannot control, especially in the face or tongue; Fainting, or feeling very weak; Yellow skin or eyes; A fever of 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit (38 degrees Celsius) or higher, or a sore throat or mouth sores.
Last updated: 2026-10-27. Medically reviewed by Veli Bakalov, MD, medical oncologist (October 2026). General education from Step by Step, the patient portal of HemeOncBuddy.