Comprehensive medication guide to Compazine including estimated pricing, availability information, side effects, and how to find it in stock at your local pharmacy.
Estimated Insurance Pricing
$0–$15 copay for oral tablets on most commercial plans; typically Tier 1 or Tier 2 on formularies; prior authorization usually not required. Medicare Part D plans generally list it on Tier 2.
Estimated Cash Pricing
$30–$50 retail for 30 tablets (10 mg); as low as $3–$9 with GoodRx or SingleCare coupons. Suppositories (25 mg, 12 count) cost $150–$200 at retail; $25–$44 with a coupon. Injectable primarily used in hospitals.
Medfinder Findability Score
45/100
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Compazine is the brand name for prochlorperazine, a prescription medication in the phenothiazine drug class. Prochlorperazine has been used in the United States since the late 1950s, making it one of the longest-established antiemetic medications available. Today, the original Compazine brand has been discontinued, and the drug is sold exclusively as generic prochlorperazine — in tablets, rectal suppositories (sold as Compro), and injectable solution.
Prochlorperazine is FDA-approved for three indications: severe nausea and vomiting, schizophrenia, and short-term non-psychotic anxiety. It is also widely used off-label for acute migraine headaches (particularly in emergency departments), vertigo, and persistent hiccups. It is available in 5 mg and 10 mg oral tablets, 25 mg rectal suppositories, and 5 mg/mL injectable solution.
Prochlorperazine is not a controlled substance and can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants, through in-person or telehealth appointments.
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Prochlorperazine works primarily by blocking dopamine D2 receptors in the brain. For its antiemetic effect, it acts on the chemoreceptor trigger zone (CTZ) in the brainstem — the brain region that detects toxins in the bloodstream and triggers nausea and vomiting. By blocking dopamine receptors in the CTZ, prochlorperazine prevents the nausea signal from being sent, effectively suppressing the vomiting reflex.
At higher doses used for psychiatric conditions, prochlorperazine also blocks dopamine D2 receptors in the mesolimbic brain pathway, where dopamine overactivity is associated with hallucinations and delusions. This dual action explains why prochlorperazine can treat both nausea and psychotic symptoms with the same mechanism.
Prochlorperazine also has secondary activity at anticholinergic (muscarinic), histamine H1, and alpha-1 adrenergic receptors. These additional receptor interactions explain several common side effects: dry mouth and constipation (anticholinergic), drowsiness (antihistamine), and dizziness on standing (alpha-1 blockade causing low blood pressure).
5 mg — tablet
Lower-dose oral tablet for nausea; typical starting dose for children 2-12 years; some adults use for mild nausea
10 mg — tablet
Standard adult oral dose for nausea and vomiting; taken 3-4 times daily as directed
25 mg — rectal suppository
Rectal suppository (brand: Compro); useful when oral intake is not possible due to severe nausea; typically dosed twice daily
5 mg/mL — injectable solution
Injectable form for IV or IM administration; primarily used in hospitals and emergency departments; not dispensed for home use
Compazine (prochlorperazine) is rated 45 out of 100 for findability in 2026, reflecting significant but not universal supply difficulties. The injectable form (prochlorperazine edisylate 5 mg/mL) has been on the ASHP Drug Shortage Database with recurring gaps since 2015, making it the most difficult formulation to source. Oral tablets and rectal suppositories experience intermittent retail pharmacy shortages driven by a concentrated manufacturer base, low profit margins on generic drugs, and international supply chain fragility.
Chain pharmacies tend to be hit hardest by the shortage because they depend on centralized distribution. Independent pharmacies and compounding pharmacies may have better access. Availability varies significantly by region and changes week to week as new batches are released and sold out.
To find prochlorperazine in stock near you, use medfinder — a service that calls pharmacies in your area to check which ones can fill your prescription, then texts you the results.
Because prochlorperazine is not a controlled substance, it can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider in the United States. There are no DEA registration requirements or special prescribing authority needed beyond a standard medical license.
Primary care physicians (PCPs) — Most common prescribers for outpatient nausea management
Gastroenterologists — For nausea related to GI conditions
Emergency medicine physicians — IV/IM administration for acute nausea and migraines
Neurologists — For migraine management and vestibular disorders
Oncologists — As adjunct antiemetic for chemotherapy-induced nausea
Psychiatrists — For schizophrenia and anxiety indications
Nurse practitioners (NPs) and physician assistants (PAs) — Fully authorized to prescribe in all states
Prochlorperazine can also be prescribed through telehealth platforms. Since it is not a controlled substance, no in-person visit is required. Services like Teladoc, MDLive, and Doctor On Demand can connect you with a licensed provider quickly.
No. Prochlorperazine (Compazine) is not a controlled substance. It is not scheduled by the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) under the Controlled Substances Act. This has several practical implications for patients and prescribers:
Any licensed healthcare provider can prescribe it, including nurse practitioners and physician assistants
It can be prescribed via telehealth without any in-person visit requirement
Prescriptions can be called or faxed to the pharmacy; electronic prescribing is standard
Refills are permitted at your doctor's discretion; there are no DEA-mandated refill restrictions
While prochlorperazine has psychoactive properties at high doses, its abuse potential is considered very low, which is why it has never been scheduled. The prescribing restrictions that exist are based on clinical safety guidelines, not DEA scheduling.
Common side effects that typically occur at the start of treatment and may improve over time:
Drowsiness and sedation
Dizziness, especially on standing (orthostatic hypotension)
Dry mouth
Constipation
Blurred vision
Tardive dyskinesia (TD): Potentially irreversible involuntary movements, especially of the face and mouth. Risk increases with long-term use.
Extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS): Tremor, muscle rigidity, restlessness (akathisia), or acute dystonia. Acute dystonia is a medical emergency.
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS): Rare but life-threatening. High fever, severe muscle rigidity, confusion. Call 911 immediately.
Blood disorders: Lowered white blood cell count increasing infection risk.
QT prolongation: Cardiac arrhythmia risk, especially when combined with other QT-prolonging drugs.
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Ondansetron (Zofran)
Most commonly prescribed antiemetic alternative; blocks serotonin 5-HT3 receptors; lower sedation and no EPS risk; excellent for chemotherapy-induced nausea; widely available as generic
Promethazine (Phenergan)
Closest phenothiazine alternative in the same drug class; effective for nausea and motion sickness; more sedating than prochlorperazine; avoid IV use due to tissue necrosis risk
Metoclopramide (Reglan)
Dopamine antagonist with prokinetic activity; effective for nausea with gastric motility issues; FDA boxed warning for tardive dyskinesia with long-term use beyond 12 weeks
Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
First-generation phenothiazine antipsychotic; FDA-approved for nausea; more sedating than prochlorperazine; used when other antiemetics have failed or psychiatric coverage is also needed
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Amisulpride
majorContraindicated combination — significantly increased risk of neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) when two dopamine antagonists are combined.
Opioids (codeine, oxycodone, fentanyl, hydrocodone)
majorProfound CNS depression risk — combined use can cause sedation, respiratory depression, coma, and death. Use only when no adequate alternatives exist, at lowest doses.
Dofetilide
majorAdditive QT interval prolongation leading to serious risk of Torsade de Pointes cardiac arrhythmia. Avoid combination.
Erythromycin
majorBoth drugs prolong QT interval. Avoid or use with cardiac monitoring and ECG.
Metoclopramide
majorBoth block D2 dopamine receptors — combination significantly increases risk of extrapyramidal symptoms and NMS. Generally avoid.
Benzodiazepines (alprazolam, lorazepam, diazepam)
moderateAdditive CNS depression. Use lowest doses and monitor for excessive sedation.
Cabergoline / dopamine agonists
moderateProchlorperazine opposes dopamine agonist effects; may reduce effectiveness of treatment for Parkinson's disease or hyperprolactinemia.
Alcohol
moderateEnhanced CNS depression including sedation and impaired coordination. Avoid alcohol while taking prochlorperazine.
Lithium
moderatePossible increased neurotoxicity. Monitor for confusion, tremor, or unusual neurological symptoms.
Anticholinergic medications
moderateCombined anticholinergic effects — confusion, urinary retention, constipation, heat stroke risk. Particularly dangerous in elderly patients.
Compazine (prochlorperazine) remains a highly effective medication for severe nausea, vomiting, migraines, and certain psychiatric conditions — despite being off-patent for decades. Its long track record, affordability as a generic, and wide prescriber access make it a valuable medication. However, persistent supply disruptions mean that finding it in stock requires patience and proactive searching in 2026.
Key takeaways: Use GoodRx or SingleCare coupons to keep costs as low as $3 to $9 for a 30-day supply of tablets. Be aware of the serious side effect risks — especially tardive dyskinesia with long-term use and the contraindication in patients with Parkinson's disease or dementia. And always check with your pharmacist about drug interactions if you take other medications.
If you are struggling to find prochlorperazine at your pharmacy, medfinder can help. Enter your medication, dosage, and location and medfinder will identify which pharmacies near you have it in stock — saving you hours of phone calls.
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Our medication guides are researched and written to help patients make informed decisions. All content is reviewed for accuracy and updated regularly. Learn more about our standards
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