What Is Prochlorperazine Used For?

Prochlorperazine is used for treating various conditions, including schizophrenia, severe nausea and vomiting, and anxiety. In addition to treating these conditions in adults, the drug has been approved for use in children over two years of age and weighing more than 20 pounds. Occasionally, prochlorperazine may be used for something other than the conditions mentioned above. Among these potential "off-label" prochlorperazine uses are the prevention and treatment of nausea and vomiting associated with migraines.

 

An Overview of Prochlorperazine Uses

Part of a group of drugs known as phenothiazines, prochlorperazine maleate (Compazine®) is a prescription medicine that has been licensed to treat the following conditions:
 
Prochlorperazine for Schizophrenia
Schizophrenia is one of the most confusing and disabling mental illnesses. It is a group of mental disorders that involve abnormal thinking. Although the causes of schizophrenia are not fully understood, it is currently thought that genetics and environmental factors play an important role in developing the illness. Depending on the type of schizophrenia (see Types of Schizophrenia), symptoms may include the following:
 
  • Hallucinations
  • Delusions
  • Thought disorders
  • Disorders of movement
  • Flat affect (immobile facial expression, monotonous voice)
  • Lack of pleasure in everyday life
  • A diminished ability to initiate and sustain planned activity
  • Speaking infrequently, even when forced to interact
  • Poor executive functioning (the ability to absorb and interpret information and make decisions based on that information)
  • An inability to stay focused
  • Problems with working memory (the ability to keep recently learned information in mind and use it right away).
     
Although psychotherapy may be helpful for schizophrenia (see Psychosocial Therapy for Schizophrenics), medication is often essential to schizophrenia treatment. Prochlorperazine can help improve the symptoms of schizophrenia.
(What Is Prochlorperazine Used For? Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;