What is Prochlorperazine Maleate: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Updated May 14, 2025  •  Published Dec 30, 2020

Prochlorperazine Maleate overview

BRAND NAMES:

  • Compazine

Generic Names:

  • Prochlorperazine Maleate

Uses:

  • Treats severe nausea and vomiting. Also treats anxiety and schizophrenia. This medicine is a phenothiazine.

Therapeutic Classes:

  • Antipsychotic, Antiemetic

Forms:

  • Tablet, Long Acting Capsule, Liquid

How it’s taken:

  • By mouth

What is Prochlorperazine Maleate used for?

Prochlorperazine maleate is a medication used to treat nausea and vomiting. Prochlorperazine maleate belongs to the phenothiazine class of drugs. Prochlorperazine maleate is a generic drug also sold under the brand name Compazine. Prochlorperazine maleate has been available for years. In the treatment of nausea and vomiting, prochlorperazine maleate use is common.

What form(s) does Prochlorperazine Maleate come in

  • Tablet

  • Long Acting Capsule

  • Liquid

What are common Prochlorperazine Maleate doses?

  • Tablet 5MG

  • Tablet 10MG

  • Bottle 25GM of

Common Prochlorperazine Maleate prescriptions

  • Prochlorperazine Maleate
    10mg tablet

  • Prochlorperazine Maleate
    5mg tablet

How to take Prochlorperazine Maleate

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

  • Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

  • Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

What to do if you miss a dose of Prochlorperazine Maleate

Prochlorperazine Maleate contraindications

  • This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to prochlorperazine or another phenothiazine medicine.

Prochlorperazine Maleate warnings

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • This medicine may change how your body regulates temperature. Avoid activities that could cause you to become very cold, hot, or dehydrated.

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

  • This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy, or may cause trouble with thinking or controlling body movements, which may lead to falls, fractures or other injuries. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. You may also feel lightheaded when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position, so stand up slowly.

  • This medicine may cause the following problems:Extrapyramidal reaction (a muscle and nerve disorder)Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a nerve disorder that could be life-threatening)Tardive dyskinesia (a muscle disorder that could become permanent)

  • Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, heart disease, blood or bone marrow problems, bowel blockage, brain tumor, glaucoma, low blood pressure, pheochromocytoma, Reye syndrome, seizures, or a history of breast cancer.

Prochlorperazine Maleate interactions

  • Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.

  • If this medicine is being used by a child, tell the doctor if the child gets sick or becomes dehydrated (such as from vomiting and diarrhea). If the child becomes nervous and overly excited, do not give any more medicine.

  • This medicine may make you bleed, bruise, or get infections more easily. Take precautions to prevent illness and injury. Wash your hands often. Tell your doctor if you have bone marrow problems or if you have ever had a blood disorder, such as low blood cell counts.

  • Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine if you have a myelography.

  • Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

  • Some medicines can affect how prochlorperazine works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following:LithiumBlood pressure or heart medicine (including guanethidine, propranolol)Blood thinner (including warfarin)A diuretic (water pill)Medicine to treat seizures (including phenytoin)

  • Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

Prochlorperazine Maleate side effects

Serious Side Effects

  • Jerky muscle movement you cannot control (often in your face, tongue, or jaw)

  • Yellow skin or eyes

  • Fever, sweating, confusion, uneven heartbeat, muscle stiffness

  • Fever, chills, cough, sore throat, body aches

  • Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting

  • Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

  • Severe sleepiness

  • Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness

Less Serious Side Effects

  • Restlessness, excitement

  • Blurred vision

  • Restlessness, excitement

  • Mild tiredness or sleepiness

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