Zofran vs. Compazine

Zofran (ondansetron) and Compazine (prochlorperazine) are prescribed for the treatment of nausea and vomiting.

Zofran is often used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting during chemotherapy and after surgery.

Compazine is also used to treat psychotic disorders such as schizophrenia and anxiety.

The brand name Compazine is discontinued in the U.S. Generic versions of prochlorperazine may still be available.

Zofran and Compazine belong to different drug classes. Zofran is a selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist and Compazine is a phenothiazine anti-psychotic.

Common side effects of Zofran include:

• diarrhea,
• headache,
• fever,
• lightheadedness,
• dizziness,
• weakness,
• tiredness,
• drowsiness,
• constipation,
• rash,
• blurred vision, and
• muscle spasm.

Common 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).

Zofran (ondansetron) is an antiemetic and selective 5-HT3 receptor antagonist prescribed for the treatment of nausea and vomiting due to cancer chemotherapy and also used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting after surgery. Zofran is available in generic form.

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.

Zofran may interact with medicines to treat psychiatric disorders, narcotics, or seizure medications. Zofran may also interact with arsenic trioxide, tacrolimus, tramadol, antibiotics, antidepressants, anti-malaria medications, heart rhythm medicines, other medicines to prevent or treat nausea and vomiting, and migraine headache medicines.

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.

Zofran adult dose is 32-mg given as a single dose or divided in three 0.15-mg/kg divided doses infused over 15 minutes.

Dosage of prochlorperazine is adjusted to the response of the individual. Begin with the lowest recommended dosage.