Helping Your Patients Find Prochlorperazine: A Provider's Practical Guide

The ongoing Prochlorperazine shortage has placed an additional burden on providers who must now help patients navigate the complexities of drug availability alongside routine clinical care. This guide offers practical, actionable strategies to help your patients access Prochlorperazine — or appropriate alternatives — efficiently.

Understanding the Current Landscape

Prochlorperazine (formerly marketed as Compazine) remains an essential medication across multiple clinical domains: antiemesis in emergency medicine and oncology, acute migraine management, and short-term anxiety treatment. The shortage affects tablets, suppositories, and the injectable formulation to varying degrees.

For a comprehensive clinical overview of the shortage, refer to our companion article: Prochlorperazine shortage: What providers and prescribers need to know in 2026.

Strategy 1: Leverage Real-Time Stock Tools

The most efficient approach is to direct patients to real-time pharmacy stock-checking tools before they begin calling pharmacies individually.

MedFinder for Providers allows you and your patients to search for pharmacies with Prochlorperazine currently in stock by location. Consider integrating this into your workflow:

• Check MedFinder before writing the prescription to identify a pharmacy with stock
• Send the prescription directly to a pharmacy confirmed to have inventory
• Provide patients with the MedFinder link so they can search independently if needed
• Include MedFinder in patient discharge or visit instructions

Strategy 2: Prescribe Flexibly

Prescribing flexibility can significantly improve your patients' chances of filling their prescriptions:

Consider Multiple Formulations

• Tablets (5 mg, 10 mg): Most commonly prescribed for outpatient use
• Suppositories (25 mg): Manufactured by different companies; may be available when tablets aren't. Particularly useful for patients with active nausea who can't take oral medications.

When clinically appropriate, consider writing prescriptions for the formulation most likely to be available, or providing the patient with prescriptions for both formulations.

Authorize Generic Substitution

Ensure prescriptions are written to allow generic dispensing (avoid "Dispense as Written" / DAW codes unless medically necessary). All commercially available Prochlorperazine is generic, but explicit generic authorization avoids potential processing delays.

Use Appropriate Quantities

Smaller quantities (e.g., 20–30 tablets) may be more readily available than larger fills. Consider whether a shorter supply with earlier refill is appropriate for your patient.

Strategy 3: Prepare Alternative Prescriptions Proactively

Rather than waiting for a patient to call after a failed fill attempt, consider providing a contingency plan at the point of prescribing:

• Write a primary prescription for Prochlorperazine
• Discuss alternative medications with the patient during the visit
• Document the preferred alternative in the chart
• Consider providing a backup prescription for the alternative to be filled only if Prochlorperazine is unavailable

Recommended alternatives by indication:

• Nausea/vomiting: Ondansetron 4–8 mg PO q8h, Promethazine 12.5–25 mg PO/PR q6h, or Metoclopramide 10 mg PO q6h (short-term)
• Migraine: Metoclopramide 10 mg PO (can combine with NSAID), Ondansetron for associated nausea
• Anxiety (short-term): Consider non-phenothiazine anxiolytics; this is a less common indication for Prochlorperazine in current practice

For detailed alternative comparisons, see: Alternatives to Prochlorperazine.

Strategy 4: Engage Pharmacy Partners

Building relationships with pharmacy colleagues can streamline patient access:

• Hospital pharmacy: If you practice in a health system, your inpatient pharmacy may have data on which retail pharmacies in the area have stock.
• Independent pharmacies: These often have different wholesale distributors than chain pharmacies and may have access to supply that chains don't.
• Compounding pharmacies: In cases of prolonged unavailability, compounding pharmacies can prepare Prochlorperazine formulations. This is typically more expensive and may not be covered by insurance, but it's a viable option for patients who cannot tolerate alternatives.
• Mail-order pharmacies: For maintenance prescriptions, mail-order services may have better access to consistent supply from larger distribution networks.

Strategy 5: Educate and Empower Patients

Well-informed patients are better equipped to navigate the shortage independently. Consider providing patients with:

• A brief explanation of the shortage (it's national, not pharmacy-specific)
• The MedFinder website for stock searches
• Guidance on calling pharmacies early in the morning when new shipments arrive
• Permission and instructions to request a prescription transfer to another pharmacy
• Clear guidance on when to contact your office (e.g., if unable to fill for more than X days)

You can direct patients to these resources:

• How to find Prochlorperazine in stock near you
• Prochlorperazine shortage update for patients
• How to save money on Prochlorperazine

Strategy 6: Document and Follow Up

Drug shortages introduce clinical risk. Protect your patients and your practice:

• Document the shortage in the patient's chart when it affects prescribing decisions
• Record any therapeutic substitutions and the clinical rationale
• Schedule follow-up (in person, phone, or telehealth) to assess response to alternative medications
• Monitor for side effects when switching between antiemetics, particularly extrapyramidal symptoms

Supporting Cost-Sensitive Patients

During shortages, some pharmacies may charge higher cash prices for available stock. Help cost-sensitive patients by:

• Recommending coupon programs (GoodRx, SingleCare, RxSaver) which can reduce tablet costs to $9–$15 for a 30-day supply
• Referring eligible patients to patient assistance programs (NeedyMeds, RxAssist)
• Directing patients to our cost guide: How to save money on Prochlorperazine

For a provider-focused savings resource, see: How to help patients save money on Prochlorperazine.

The Bottom Line

The Prochlorperazine shortage requires providers to be proactive, flexible, and patient-centered. By leveraging real-time stock tools like MedFinder for Providers, prescribing flexibly, preparing alternatives in advance, and empowering patients with information, you can minimize disruptions to your patients' care.

Visit MedFinder for Providers to check Prochlorperazine availability in your area.