Compazine Side Effects

Generic name: prochlorperazine

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jul 28, 2024.

Note: This document provides detailed information about Compazine Side Effects associated with prochlorperazine. Some dosage forms listed on this page may not apply specifically to the brand name Compazine.

Applies to prochlorperazine: rectal suppository.

Other dosage forms:

• oral tablet

Important warnings This medicine can cause some serious health issues

Rectal route (suppository)

Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with atypical antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death compared with placebo.

Although the causes of death in the clinical trials were varied, most deaths appeared to be either cardiovascular (eg, heart failure, sudden death) or infectious (eg, pneumonia) in nature.

Observational studies suggest that, similar to atypical antipsychotic drugs, treatment with conventional antipsychotic drugs may increase mortality.

It is unclear from these studies to what extent the mortality findings may be attributed to the antipsychotic drug as opposed to the patient characteristics.

Prochlorperazine is not approved for the treatment of patients with dementia-related psychosis.

Serious side effects of Compazine

Along with its needed effects, prochlorperazine (the active ingredient contained in Compazine) may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking prochlorperazine:

Incidence not known

• agitation
• black, tarry stools
• chest pain
• clay-colored stools
• constipation
• dark urine
• decrease in how much or how often you urinate
• diarrhea
• difficulty in swallowing and breathing
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when suddenly getting up from a lying or sitting position
• drooling
• drowsiness
• dryness of the mouth
• fever and chills
• headache
• inability to have or keep an erection
• loss of appetite
• mask-like face
• nasal congestion
• nausea
• painful or difficult urination
• shuffling walk
• sore throat
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in the mouth
• stomach pain
• swollen glands
• tightness of the throat
• trembling and shaking of the fingers and hands
• uncontrolled chewing actions and movements of the arms and legs
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vomiting of blood
• yellow eyes or skin

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking prochlorperazine:

Symptoms of overdose

• change in consciousness
• fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat
• loss of consciousness
• seizures
• severe sleepiness

For healthcare professionals

Applies to prochlorperazine: compounding powder, injectable solution, oral capsule extended release, oral syrup, oral tablet, rectal suppository.

Hematologic

• Very common (10% or more): Mild leukopenia (up to 30%)
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Blood dyscrasia
• Frequency not reported: Agranulocytosis, pancytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura, thrombocytopenia, leukopenia, eosinophilia, hemolytic anemia, aplastic anemia, atypical lymphocytes^[Ref]

Blood dyscrasias included pancytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura, leukopenia, agranulocytosis, eosinophilia, hemolytic anemia, and aplastic anemia.

Mild leukopenia occurred in patients given high doses for prolonged durations.^[Ref]

Nervous system

• Common (1% to 10%): Drowsiness, dyskinesia, akathisia, parkinsonism, tremor/tremulousness
• Frequency not reported: Convulsion, grand mal/petit mal convulsion, seizures, dizziness, altered consciousness, extrapyramidal reactions, dystonia/acute dystonia/acute dystonic reactions, akinesia, tardive dyskinesia, autonomic dysfunction, headache, opisthotonos, hyperreflexia, neuroleptic malignant syndrome, cerebral edema, EEG changes, altered cerebrospinal fluid proteins^[Ref]

Acute dystonia was usually transitory, but was more commonly reported in young adults and children shortly after beginning treatment or increasing the dosage.

Akathisia usually occurred in patients who were given large initial doses.

Autonomic dysfunction included dry mouth, nasal congestion, headache, nausea, constipation, obstipation, adynamic ileus, ejaculatory disorders/impotence, priapism, atonic colon, urinary retention, miosis, and mydriasis.

Extrapyramidal reactions include acute dystonia, akathisia, parkinsonism, and tardive dyskinesia. These reactions have lasted months to years, especially in elderly patients with brain damage.

Grand and petit mal convulsions have occurred in patients with/with a history of EEG abnormalities.

Parkinsonism typically occurred in adults and elderly patients after weeks to months of treatment, and included tremor, rigidity, akinesia, and most commonly, tremor.^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

• Common (1% to 10%): Constipation, dry mouth
• Frequency not reported: Gum/mouth irritation, obstipation, atonic colon, paralytic/adynamic ileus, nausea and vomiting^[Ref]

Ocular

• Common (1% to 10%): Blurred vision
• Frequency not reported: Oculogyric crisis, ocular changes, miosis, mydriasis, pigmentary retinopathy, lenticular and corneal deposits^[Ref]

Lenticular and corneal deposits occurred in patients who received large doses over a prolonged duration.^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

• Common (1% to 10%): Rigidity
• Frequency not reported: Trismus, torticollis, systemic lupus erythematosus-like syndrome^[Ref]

Cardiovascular

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Hypotension, peripheral edema, cardiac arrhythmia, ECG changes, QT prolongation, deep vein thrombosis, venous thromboembolism, cyanosis, sudden death of cardiac origin
• Frequency not reported: Fatal hypotension, orthostatic hypotension, ST depression, ventricular/atrial arrhythmias, atrioventricular block, ventricular tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, cardiac arrest, U-Wave and T-Wave changes/distortions^[Ref]

Cardiovascular side effects may be correlated with higher doses and may occur more frequently in patients with risk factors (e.g., patients with cardiac disease, hypokalemia, receiving tricyclic antidepressants, and/or who are elderly).

Cyanosis occurred in pediatric patients who developed laryngospasm form serious dystonic tractions.

Hypotension occurred more frequently in patients who received IM doses of this drug.^[Ref]

Hepatic

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Elevated bilirubin and hepatic enzyme levels
• Rare (0.01% to 0.1%): Jaundice/transient jaundice
• Frequency not reported: Liver damage, cholestatic jaundice, cholestasis/biliary stasis^[Ref]

Elevated bilirubin and hepatic enzyme levels occurred in patients who developed cholestatic jaundice.^[Ref]

Other

• Uncommon (0.1% to 1%): Sudden death/unexplained sudden death
• Frequency not reported: Neonatal drug withdrawal syndrome, hyperthermia, hyperpyrexia, mild fever, reversed epinephrine effect, intensification and prolongation of the action of atropine, heat, organophosphorous insecticides, and central nervous system depressants (e.g., opiates, analgesics, antihistamines, barbiturates, alcohol)^[Ref]

Mild fever usually occurred after patients were given large IM doses.^[Ref]

Genitourinary

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Galactorrhea, amenorrhea/menstrual irregularities
• Frequency not reported: Ejaculation disorder/inhibition, priapism, impotence, lactation, urinary retention^[Ref]

Endocrine

• Very rare (less than 0.01%): Hyperprolactinemia/elevated prolactin levels, gynecomastia,
• Frequency not reported: Endocrine disturbances, syndrome of inappropriate antidiuretic hormone secretion (SIADH), false-positive pregnancy tests^[Ref]

Dermatologic

• Frequency not reported: Rash, dermatitis, skin disorders/reaction, photosensitivity, itching, erythema, urticaria, eczema, exfoliative dermatitis, angioneurotic edema, contact skin sensitization/dermatitis, maculopapular eruptions, erythema multiforme, abnormal pigmentation/skin pigmentation and epithelial keratopathy^[Ref]

Skin pigmentation and epithelial keratopathy occurred in patients who received large doses over a prolonged duration.^[Ref]

Psychiatric

• Frequency not reported: Insomnia, agitation, activation/reactivation of psychotic processes, catatonia/catatonic-like states^[Ref]

Metabolic

• Frequency not reported: Hyponatremia, hyperglycemia, hypoglycemia, increased appetite, increased weight, impaired glucose tolerance^[Ref]

Respiratory

• Frequency not reported: Asthma, laryngeal edema, pulmonary embolism/fatal pulmonary embolism, nasal stuffiness/congestion, respiratory depression^[Ref]

Hypersensitivity

• Frequency not reported: Angioedema, anaphylactoid reactions, hypersensitivity reactions/type I hypersensitivity reaction^[Ref]

Local

• Frequency not reported: Metallic gray-mauve coloration to exposed skin^[Ref]

Renal

• Frequency not reported: Glycosuria^[Ref]

Further information

Compazine side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Some side effects may not be reported. You may report them to the FDA.

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