Digestive Health Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment Compazine (Prochlorperazine) Side Effects By Amber J. Tresca facebook twitter linkedin Amber J. Tresca is a freelance writer and speaker who covers digestive conditions, including IBD. She was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis at age 16. Learn about our editorial process Amber J. Tresca Medically reviewed by Medically reviewed by Priyanka Chugh, MD on December 06, 2019 linkedin Priyanka Chugh, MD, is a board-certified gastroenterologist in practice with Trinity Health of New England in Waterbury, Connecticut. Learn about our Medical Review Board Priyanka Chugh, MD on December 06, 2019 Print Compazine (prochlorperazine) is an antiemetic drug that may be used to treat nausea and vomiting. This drug is no longer sold under the trade name Compazine, but the name has become so well-known that many people still use it to refer to this drug. It is now sold under the generic names Compro and Procomp. It is not as commonly prescribed as it used to be because many gastroenterologists are now using newer anti-nausea medications. Hans Georg Merkel / LOOK / Getty Images Uses Stomach upset can be a side effect of many different medical conditions, including inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and migraines, Compazine may also be prescribed to patients with cancer who are undergoing chemotherapy or radiation treatment, as nausea and vomiting are potential side effects of anti-cancer drugs. Compazine is also known as a typical antipsychotic drug. In higher doses than those used for the treatment of nausea, it may be used to treat the symptoms of some mental disorders, though this is no longer common. Some of the psychiatric conditions that Compazine may treat include schizophrenia and anxiety. Side Effects Compazine is also associated with certain side effects. One of the most concerning side effects of Compazine is the development of a muscle disorder known as Tardive dyskinesia, which can occur after long-term use. Compazine may also affect the pressure in the eye, and people who have glaucoma should always tell their physician before taking Compazine. This drug also carries a black box warning about using it in elderly patients who are experiencing psychosis and dementia; it is not approved for use in those patients because of a risk of death. Common Side Effects Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome: Mild constipationDecreased sweatingDizzinessDrowsinessDryness of mouthNasal congestion Less Frequent or Rare Side Effects Check with your doctor if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome: Menstrual irregularityDecreased sex drivePhotosensitivitySwelling, pain or milk secretion in breastsWeight gain Side Effects to Report to a Doctor Common: Blurred visionChange in color visionFaintingLoss of balanceNight blindnessRestlessnessStiffness in legs and armsTrembling and shaking of hands and fingers Less frequent or rare: Abdominal or stomach painsAching muscles and jointsAgitation or excitementChest painsDifficulty in:sleeping or bizarre dreamsurinatingDark urineFever and chillsHair lossHeadachesHot, dry skin or lack of sweatingRash or severely itchy skinMild confusionNausea, vomiting, or diarrheaProlonged, painful, inappropriate erectionRedness of handsShiveringSeizures (convulsions)Severe constipationSkin or eye discoloration (tan, yellow, or blue-gray)Sore throat and feverSores in mouthSunburn (severe)Unusual:Bleeding or bruisingTiredness or weaknessMuscle weaknessPain in joints Side Effects to Report to a Doctor Immediately More common: Difficulty in breathing, speaking, or swallowingInability to move eyesIncreased blinking or eyelid spasmsLip smacking or puckeringMuscle spasms of face, neck, body, arms, or legs causing unusual postures or unusual facial expressionsPuffing of cheeksRapid or worm-like movements of tongueSticking out of tongueTwitchingUncontrolled movement or twisting of mouth, neck, arms, legs, or trunk Rare: Slow or irregular heartbeatRecurrent fainting Less Common or Rare The following are signs of neuroleptic malignant syndrome and should be checked out immediately. Confusion (severe) or comaDifficulty in speaking or swallowingDifficulty in breathingDroolingFeverIrregular (high or low) blood pressureIncreased sweatingLoss of bladder controlSevere muscle stiffnessRapid heartbeatSevere trembling or shaking Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor. This information is meant only as a guideline; always consult a physician or pharmacist for complete information about prescription medications. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! We're providing tips on how to take better care of your gut. Sign Up You're in! Thank you, {{form.email}}, for signing up. There was an error. Please try again. What are your concerns? Other Inaccurate Hard to Understand Submit Article Sources Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Din L, Preuss CV. Prochlorperazine. In: StatPearls [Internet]. 2019 Jan-. Patel KR, Cherian J, Gohil K, Atkinson D. Schizophrenia: overview and treatment options. P T. 2014;39(9):638–645. Vasan S, Padhy RK. Tardive Dyskinesia. In: StatPearls [Internet]. 2019 Jan-. Additional Reading DailyMed. "COMPAZINE- prochlorperazine suppository." National Institutes of Health. Aug 2013. PDR. "Prochlorperazine Edisylate." PDR.net. 2015.