Compazine and Panic Attacks: What Users Say

• Cat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 2, 2020

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."

• Tra...
• December 20, 2019

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."

• Bmr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2019

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."

• Oxy...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 10, 2020

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."

• Lun...
• November 7, 2019

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."

• LMa...
• November 18, 2019

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!"

• Tab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2018

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."

• lxs...
• March 19, 2021

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."

• MMa...
• February 18, 2019

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."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2018

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."

• Ang...
• February 14, 2021

For Nausea/Vomiting "I have migraines, vomiting, gallbladder issues. I was asked if I wanted Zofran or Compazine. I asked a little bit about side effects, and the nurse said it's for migraines, vomiting, put in my IV. Fifteen minutes later, like the room got dark, and I couldn't stay still. Thirty minutes later, I called my mom crying, telling her I'm dying, there is no way I'm coming back from the hospital. Many times I was about to rip the IV out, pacing the hospital bed with the IV cord on me. I felt the oncoming sense of doom, somewhat dismembered my IV on my arm. At one point, I was about to rip the IV out, had no ride home an hour away from home. I was going to run out of the room into the streets, zero below. I got a nurse and she said, 'Yeah, the medicine can do that to people, have reactions.' Benadryl, reverse it, it took thirty more minutes for them to bring Benadryl in. About ten minutes, I finally dozed off. But I still couldn't stop moving, walking around and nervous panic. I had gotten released, I had to get Benadryl from the store to keep it reversed for 24 hours. Worst, dangerous drug. I will never take an unknown medication again."

• Nev...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2016

For Nausea/Vomiting "They gave me this medication via IV in the ER for a very intense migraine and extreme nausea. I would never recommend this medication to anyone, ever. The second it was pushed through, I started having an extreme panic attack, something like I have never felt before, like a huge wave of doom rushed over me. I started freaking out so badly I almost ripped my IV out and ran away. It was so traumatizing to me that they pushed a big dose of Ativan through my IV just to knock me out. I truly thought I was dying... And after all that, it felt like my skin was crawling for a good 32 hours. No, thank you. Never again will I allow this in my body."

• AJO...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 10, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "Y'all, my experience was exactly like so many others. I was having dizzy spells for over a week and then suddenly had the world's worst headache, so I went in. They gave me Toradol and Compazine through an IV, and within ten minutes, I thought I was going insane. I asked to go to the bathroom just to get out of the room. I couldn't sit still and felt so panicked. On my way back from the bathroom, I seriously considered ripping out my IV. When the nurse came in, I stopped my fluids and went home. Had to sign a paper that I was refusing treatment, but I couldn't be in that room any longer."

• Dkb...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 27, 2019

For Anxiety "Went to the ER with a headache and was given an IV with Benadryl and Compazine. IMMEDIATELY I began to have a panic attack. The only way I can describe it is like being buried alive. I was so tired but coming out of my skin. Worst feeling of my life and now going to the hospital and regular routine appointments give me anxiety. I’m afraid of getting shots and taking medicines. My life has not been the same since getting that IV. I don’t understand how this drug could be used to treat anxiety."

• sky...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "I know all drugs come with side effects, but please listen to me and other people on here. I was given Compazine one time in February of 2019 for vomiting. I experienced graphic, really dark thoughts, hallucinations, akathisia, tinnitus, panic attacks, brain zaps, a feeling of bugs crawling under my skin, paranoia, and at one point a complete inability to feel joy. I am still not myself, and it is now July. There is nothing any doctor can do for you once this medication messes you up. I was a normal wife, mother, and employee, and some days now I can’t take care of myself, let alone my family. This drug has ruined my life, and it was one dose for something as simple as nausea. There are much safer alternatives for nausea and vomiting."

• Lac...
• October 8, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "I went into the ER for a really bad migraine and vomiting. They gave me Benadryl and Compazine. Within three minutes, I had the worst panic attack of my life. My anxiety was through the roof. I unhooked myself from everything that I could and tried to get my IV out and demanded that I be let go, thinking I would feel better when I got home. I have not slept in over 24 hours. I'm now on day 2, and I still want to crawl out of my skin. I can't stop shaking and crying. I want to crawl out of my skin or run away to get away from this feeling. I'm also shaky, and anytime I think I'm about to fall asleep, I get weird sadistic images that wake me up right away before I'm even all the way asleep. I don't know why this drug is legal. I hope people read these reviews and please don't let any doctor give you this medication-the worst feeling of my life."

• Nel...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 25, 2017

For Nausea/Vomiting "I was in and out of the ER due to migraines, and on the last day, they gave me a prescription of Compazine. The next day when I took it, I laid down to take a nap and woke up struggling to breathe. My throat was closing, and I could barely talk. I went into a full-blown panic attack and called the ambulance. They gave me three different shots of something I can't remember and rushed me to the hospital. My jaw felt locked, like I was clenching my teeth hard together by the time I got to the hospital. I was shaking uncontrollably and crying hysterically. After I was discharged, I came home and chugged some children's Benadryl and took some Xanax and felt the side effects slowly go away. I have never in my life felt so scared."

• Nei...
• September 14, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "Absolute worst experience. Please read the reviews. They gave me this for a headache, heart rate went to 155. I felt like I was going to die, never in my life have I felt that level of panic. My first instinct was to rip my IV out. Became restless, skin crawling feeling like I needed to jump out of my body. It was the most uncomfortable I have ever felt. Once home, I paced back and forth for hours, I could not sit or lay down. I felt like I was losing my mind - I just wanted it to stop. I called the hospital, they suggested Benadryl, the ONLY thing that let me lay down after hours. I took a couple more the next day to be able to stop moving every second. It's been 33 hours since I was given this med, and I am still restless, cannot stop moving my legs. I don't care how much pain or how nauseous I could be or how much someone paid me, never in my life would I take this again, and I wish I had looked it up first."

• tin...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 21, 2016

For Anxiety "Had this in a 'headache cocktail' last night when I went into the ER for an intense migraine with garbled speech. NEVER again. I have never appreciated a headache more because, by comparison, it was so much better than the side effects of Compazine. It made me a crazy person in full-blown panic attack mode. I was trying to pull out the IV and run away. I felt doom and dread and mental anguish. I was yelling and just trying to figure out a way to kill myself (literally) if the mental pain and confusion didn't stop soon. Luckily, the terror didn't last long because three nurses came in and gave me more Benadryl, which counteracted or at least knocked me out. I am a bit traumatized by the experience but feel a lot better today."

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 3, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "This was the most awful medicine I have ever had. I thought I was going to die, my heart rate went up to 180. I couldn't be still. I tried ripping my IV out, and when I told the nurse, she laughed and said, 'Just calm down, you're fine.' It was horrible. It's been 3 days, and I'm still having panic attacks, muscle twitches all the time. This medicine has ruined my life, please do not take this."

• Ano...
• January 31, 2017

For Nausea/Vomiting "This is the only medication I have ever been given in my entire life that has made me literally want to rip out my IV and run out of the ER. I was given this in the ER to curb the side effects of my lumbar puncture. I have anxiety and RLS, so in the beginning, I thought I was just experiencing a minor panic attack. I felt so restless that I had to go to the bathroom just to do something with myself. When I got back to the bed, I immediately told my gf that I wanted to leave. Was pushing the call light. And damn near left screaming. I flipped my shot on the doctor, and he said this was a common side effect. I told him I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack, and he gave me Benadryl and some kind of benzo. Absolutely horrid."

• Rut...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 29, 2018

"I went to the ER for a migraine and was given this medication combined with Benadryl. It basically induced a panic attack, and I felt as if I couldn't breathe properly. It was awful, especially as I wasn't anxious about being in the ER, but after taking Compazine, I just wanted to leave."

• Sha...
• November 6, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "This was, like many others on here have said, a terrifying ER experience. I was given Compazine for what they thought was a migraine, plus Benadryl because they warned me about the anxiety. Upon giving it to me via IV, I felt a wave of panic enter my body. My heart stopped for a moment. I immediately wanted to get out of the hospital and tried to rip my IV out. I thought that would be the end of it. But it wasn't. I had crippling anxiety over the next 5 days! Yes, FIVE days. I had constant panic attacks where I would have to stop driving and pull over. One time I almost fainted during a meeting and had to go to the clinic. This drug made me dizzy, lightheaded, feeling like I was going to pass out all the time, gave me the strangest head pressure/tingling feeling, heart racing constantly. I will never ever take this drug again. Worst experience."

• Dam...
• January 2, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "Went to the ER for a severe migraine... They gave me Compazine and Benadryl. 20 min later I was in a severe panic... ripping my IVs out. Calling out to the nurse, saying I was leaving!! They had to give me more Benadryl to reverse it. I left the hospital feeling worse than I did when I went in!! Horrible experience!"

• Dra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting "Was given this drug in the ER for a migraine and nausea, they didn’t tell me what they were given, and I had the worst headache and didn’t even ask. Lo and behold, this medicine ruined my life after one dose!!! Was given with Benadryl, and I felt extremely anxious, panicky, my legs and body were so restless I thought I was gonna die on the CT table. I couldn’t put words together. It’s been 5 days, and I’m still not the same: panic attacks galore, anxiety, tight band around head/headache, fear of doom, and dizziness galore. This should be illegal."