Compazine vs. Thorazine

Compazine (prochlorperazine) and Thorazine (chlorpromazine) are phenothiazine anti-psychotics used to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. Compazine and Thorazine are also used to treat anxiety, and to control nausea and vomiting.

Thorazine is also used to treat manic-depression, severe behavioral problems in children, chronic hiccups, acute intermittent porphyria, and symptoms of tetanus.

The brand names Compazine and Thorazine are discontinued in the U.S. Generic versions may be available.

Side effects of Compazine and Thorazine that are similar include dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety, sleep problems (insomnia), dry mouth, stuffy nose, blurred vision, constipation, breast swelling or discharge, changes in menstrual periods, weight gain, swelling in hands or feet, impotence, trouble having an orgasm.

Side effects of Compazine that are different from Thorazine include strange dreams, mild itching, skin rash, headache, and low blood pressure (hypotension).

Both Compazine and Thorazine may interact with atropine, lithium, antibiotics, birth control pills or hormone replacement estrogens, blood pressure medications, blood thinners, asthma medications or bronchodilators, incontinence medications, insulin or oral diabetes medications, drugs to treat prostate disorders, medication for nausea/vomiting/motion sickness, medications to treat or prevent malaria, medications used for general anesthesia, medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, numbing medicine, stimulants, ADHD medication, ulcer or irritable bowel medications, medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, restless leg syndrome, or pituitary gland tumor.

Compazine may also interact with diuretics (water pills) and many other medicines.

Thorazine may also interact with phenytoin and many other medicines.

Side effects of Compazine include:

• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• anxiety,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• strange dreams,
• dry mouth,
• stuffy nose,
• blurred vision,
• constipation,
• breast swelling or discharge,
• missed menstrual periods,
• weight gain,
• swelling in hands or feet,
• impotence,
• trouble having an orgasm,
• mild itching,
• skin rash,
• headache, and
• low blood pressure (hypotension).

Common side effects of Thorazine include:

• dizziness,
• drowsiness,
• anxiety,
• sleep problems (insomnia),
• breast swelling or discharge,
• changes in menstrual periods,
• weight gain,
• swelling in hands or feet,
• dry mouth,
• stuffy nose,
• blurred vision,
• constipation,
• impotence, or
• trouble having an orgasm.

Compazine (prochlorperazine) is a phenothiazine anti-psychotic used to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia. Compazine (prochlorperazine) is also used to treat anxiety, and to control severe nausea and vomiting.

Thorazine (chlorpromazine) is a phenothiazine anti-psychotic medication used to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia or manic-depression, and severe behavioral problems in children. Thorazine is also used to treat nausea and vomiting, anxiety before surgery, chronic hiccups, acute intermittent porphyria, and symptoms of tetanus.

Compazine may interact with antibiotics, anti-malaria medications, or other medicines to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting. Compazine may also interact with atropine, lithium, diuretics (water pills), birth control pills or hormone replacement estrogens, blood pressure medications, blood thinners, asthma medications, drugs to treat prostate disorders, incontinence medications, insulin or oral diabetes medications, medications used for general anesthesia, medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, numbing medicine, stimulants, ADHD medication, ulcer or irritable bowel medications, or medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, restless leg syndrome, or pituitary gland tumor.

Do not stop using Compazine suddenly after long-term use, or you could have unpleasant withdrawal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, dizziness, or feeling shaky.

Thorazine may interact with atropine, lithium, phenytoin, antibiotics, birth control pills or hormone replacement estrogens, blood pressure medications, blood thinners, asthma medications or bronchodilators, incontinence medications, insulin or oral diabetes medications, medication for nausea, vomiting, or motion sickness, medications to treat or prevent malaria, medications used for general anesthesia, medicines used to prevent organ transplant rejection, numbing medicine, stimulants, ADHD medication, ulcer or irritable bowel medication, medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, restless leg syndrome, or pituitary gland tumor. Many other medicines can interact with chlorpromazine. Tell your doctor all medications you use. During pregnancy, chlorpromazine should be used only if prescribed. It may cause side effects in a newborn if the mother takes the medication during pregnancy. Chlorpromazine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Consult your doctor before breastfeeding. Withdrawal symptoms may occur if you are on a high dosage of this medication and abruptly stop taking it.

Dosage of Compazine i adjusted to the response of the individual. Begin with the lowest recommended dosage.

Dosing of chlorpromazine depends on severity of the condition, and the patient's response to the drug.