Can't Find Prochlorperazine? Here Are Your Alternatives

If your pharmacy is out of Prochlorperazine and you need relief from nausea, vomiting, or migraines, you have options. Several alternative medications work in similar ways or treat the same symptoms. The key is working with your doctor to find the right substitute for your specific situation.

Before we dive into alternatives, have you checked whether Prochlorperazine is available at a different pharmacy? Use MedFinder to search for Prochlorperazine in stock near you. If it's truly unavailable, read on.

Understanding Why Alternatives Matter

Prochlorperazine (Compazine) is a phenothiazine that blocks dopamine D2 receptors. It's used for severe nausea and vomiting, migraines, and sometimes anxiety or psychosis. During the ongoing shortage, many patients and doctors need to consider substitutes.

The best alternative depends on:

• What condition you're treating
• Your other medications (to avoid interactions)
• Your medical history
• What's actually available at your pharmacy

Important: Never switch medications on your own. Always talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking a different drug.

Top Alternatives to Prochlorperazine

1. Ondansetron (Zofran)

Ondansetron is one of the most widely prescribed antiemetics in the United States. It belongs to a different drug class (5-HT3 receptor antagonist) but is very effective for nausea and vomiting.

Pros:

• First-line treatment for nausea and vomiting in many settings
• Causes less sedation than Prochlorperazine
• Available in tablets, orally disintegrating tablets (ODT), and injectable form
• Generally well-tolerated

Cons:

• May cause headache or constipation
• Can prolong the QT interval (heart rhythm concern) at higher doses
• May be less effective for migraine-associated nausea than Prochlorperazine

Best for: Chemotherapy-induced nausea, post-surgical nausea, gastroenteritis

2. Promethazine (Phenergan)

Promethazine is in the same phenothiazine class as Prochlorperazine. It works through similar mechanisms and is available in tablets, suppositories, and injectable form.

Pros:

• Same drug class — closest pharmacological match
• Available in multiple formulations
• Also treats motion sickness and allergic reactions

Cons:

• More sedating than Prochlorperazine
• Carries a boxed warning about severe tissue injury with IV injection
• Not recommended for children under 2
• Strong anticholinergic effects (dry mouth, constipation, urinary retention)

Best for: Nausea/vomiting when sedation is acceptable, motion sickness

3. Metoclopramide (Reglan)

Metoclopramide is a dopamine antagonist and prokinetic agent. It not only reduces nausea but also speeds up stomach emptying, which can help with certain types of nausea.

Pros:

• Effective for both nausea and gastroparesis (slow stomach emptying)
• Available in tablets, oral solution, and injectable form
• Can be helpful for migraines in the emergency department

Cons:

• Boxed warning for tardive dyskinesia with long-term use (more than 12 weeks)
• Risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (involuntary movements)
• Not recommended for long-term use

Best for: Nausea related to gastroparesis, diabetic nausea, short-term antiemetic use

4. Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)

Chlorpromazine is another phenothiazine closely related to Prochlorperazine. It's FDA-approved for nausea/vomiting as well as psychotic disorders.

Pros:

• Similar mechanism to Prochlorperazine
• Available in tablets and injectable form

Cons:

• More sedating than Prochlorperazine
• Higher risk of orthostatic hypotension (dizziness when standing)
• Less commonly used for simple nausea/vomiting in modern practice

Best for: Situations where other alternatives aren't available or when psychosis is also a concern

Comparing the Alternatives at a Glance

Here's a quick comparison to help you understand the differences:

• Ondansetron: Least sedating, different mechanism, widely available
• Promethazine: Same drug class, most sedating, good for motion sickness
• Metoclopramide: Also helps with stomach emptying, but has tardive dyskinesia risk with long-term use
• Chlorpromazine: Closest chemical relative, but more side effects

What About Over-the-Counter Options?

For mild nausea, some over-the-counter (OTC) options may provide temporary relief while you work on getting your prescription filled:

• Dramamine (dimenhydrinate) — helps with motion sickness and mild nausea
• Meclizine (Bonine) — available OTC for motion sickness and vertigo
• Emetrol — an OTC anti-nausea liquid
• Ginger supplements — some evidence for mild nausea relief

Note: OTC options are not a substitute for prescription Prochlorperazine if you have severe nausea, vomiting, or migraines. Talk to your doctor.

Tips for Switching Medications Safely

1. Tell your doctor everything you take. Drug interactions are a real concern, especially with other medications that cause sedation or affect heart rhythm.
2. Start with the lowest effective dose. Your doctor will typically start you on a low dose of the new medication to see how you respond.
3. Watch for side effects. Each medication has its own side effect profile. Report anything unusual to your doctor.
4. Keep trying to find Prochlorperazine. If it was working well for you, keep checking availability. Use MedFinder to monitor pharmacy stock in your area.

The Bottom Line

While nothing is an exact replacement for Prochlorperazine, several effective alternatives exist. Ondansetron, Promethazine, Metoclopramide, and Chlorpromazine can all help manage nausea and vomiting. Work closely with your doctor to find the best option for you.

In the meantime, don't give up on finding Prochlorperazine. Check MedFinder regularly to see if stock has returned to pharmacies near you. For more on the current shortage, read our Prochlorperazine shortage update for 2026.