What is the difference between PROCHLORPERAZINE and PROMETHAZINE?

PROCHLORPERAZINE is a Antiemetic and PROMETHAZINE is a Antiemetic / Antihistamine. They reach a similar treatment goal through different pharmacological mechanisms, which is why one may be tolerated by a patient who could not tolerate the other.

Can PROCHLORPERAZINE and PROMETHAZINE be used for the same conditions?

Both medications are prescribed for overlapping indications including prochlorperazine is not the first drug to be used in therapy for most patients with non-psychotic anxiety and because certain risks associated with its use are not shared by common alternative treatments (e.g.. Always verify with your prescriber and the current FDA label before switching.

Is Prochlorperazine the same as Promethazine?

No. Prochlorperazine (PROCHLORPERAZINE) and Promethazine (PROMETHAZINE) are distinct medications. They are sometimes confused because of similar branding or because they treat overlapping conditions, but they have different active ingredients and different safety profiles.

Which has fewer side effects, PROCHLORPERAZINE or PROMETHAZINE?

Side-effect frequency varies by individual. The side-effect comparison section on this page shows FAERS-reported events for each drug side by side. FAERS is voluntary reporting, so it reflects what patients and clinicians chose to report, not absolute population risk.

Can I switch from PROCHLORPERAZINE to PROMETHAZINE?

Switching medications should always be done under prescriber supervision. The "patient stories" section on this page includes accounts from people who have made the switch and what their transition felt like, but those are individual experiences, not protocols.

PROCHLORPERAZINE vs PROMETHAZINE

Compare PROCHLORPERAZINE (Prochlorperazine) and PROMETHAZINE (Promethazine) — clinical data, side effects, and patient experiences.

PROCHLORPERAZINE

Prochlorperazine · Antiemetic

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

prochlorperazine is not the first drug to be used in therapy for most patients with non-psychotic anxiety

because certain risks associated with its use are not shared by common alternative treatments (e.g.

benzodiazepines). When used in the treatment of non-psychotic anxiety

prochlorperazine should not be administered at doses of more than 20 mg per day or for longer than 12 weeks

OralTablet

PROMETHAZINE

Promethazine, Phenergan · Antiemetic / Antihistamine

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Promethazine hydrochloride tablets

USP are useful for: Perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis. Vasomotor rhinitis. Allergic conjunctivitis due to inhalant allergens and foods. Mild

uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of urticaria and angioedema. Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma. Dermographism. Anaphylactic reactions

as adjunctive therapy to epinephrine and other standard measures

OralTablet

Quick Comparison

PROCHLORPERAZINEPROMETHAZINE

Drug Class

Antiemetic

Antiemetic / Antihistamine

Route

Oral

Half-Life

—

FDA Approved

—

Side Effect Frequency Comparison

Estimated frequency (%) based on clinical trial data

Side Effects

PROCHLORPERAZINE

Nausea

>10%

Fatigue

>10%

Diarrhea

>10%

Vomiting

1-10%

Weakness

1-10%

Decreased Appetite

0.1-1%

Shortness of Breath

0.1-1%

Constipation

0.1-1%

PROMETHAZINE

Nausea

>10%

Vomiting

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Diarrhea

1-10%

Headache

1-10%

Shortness of Breath

1-10%

Back Pain

0.1-1%

Anxiety

0.1-1%

FDA Warnings

PROCHLORPERAZINE

WARNING Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death
Analyses of seventeen placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1
7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients
Over the course of a typical 10-week controlled trial, the rate of death in drug-treated patients was about 4

PROMETHAZINE

WARNINGS WARNING: PROMETHAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS, USP SHOULD NOT BE USED IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OF AGE BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR FATAL RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION
POSTMARKETING CASES OF RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION, INCLUDING FATALITIES, HAVE BEEN REPORTED WITH USE OF PROMETHAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS, USP IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OF AGE
Respiratory Depression Promethazine hydrochloride tablets, USP may lead to potentially fatal respiratory depression
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome A potentially fatal symptom complex sometimes referred to as Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) has been reported in association with promethazine hydrochloride alone or in combination with antipsychotic drugs

Clinical Trial Data

No head-to-head clinical studies found for PROCHLORPERAZINE vs PROMETHAZINE.

PROCHLORPERAZINE vs PROMETHAZINE: What You Should Know

Key Differences

PROCHLORPERAZINE is a Antiemetic, while PROMETHAZINE belongs to the Antiemetic / Antihistamine class. This means they work through different pharmacological mechanisms, which may influence both efficacy and side effect profiles.

Safety Considerations

PROCHLORPERAZINE carries 4 FDA warnings. PROMETHAZINE carries 4 FDA warnings. Patients should discuss all warnings and contraindications with their healthcare provider before starting or switching medications..

This comparison is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medication decisions.

Related Comparisons

METOCLOPRAMIDE vs PROCHLORPERAZINE→PROCHLORPERAZINE vs PROCHLORPERAZINE EDISYLATE→PROCHLORPERAZINE vs PROCHLORPERAZINE MALEATE→METOCLOPRAMIDE HYDROCHLORIDE vs PROCHLORPERAZINE→ONDANSETRON vs PROMETHAZINE→ONDANSETRON vs PROCHLORPERAZINE→

Primary sources

Every figure on this comparison links back to its primary source. See data sources and methodology for the full provenance trail.

PROCHLORPERAZINE: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov
PROMETHAZINE: DailyMed label · FAERS adverse events · ClinicalTrials.gov

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PROCHLORPERAZINE vs PROMETHAZINE

Compare PROCHLORPERAZINE (Prochlorperazine) and PROMETHAZINE (Promethazine) — clinical data, side effects, and patient experiences.

PROCHLORPERAZINE

Prochlorperazine · Antiemetic

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

prochlorperazine is not the first drug to be used in therapy for most patients with non-psychotic anxiety

because certain risks associated with its use are not shared by common alternative treatments (e.g.

benzodiazepines). When used in the treatment of non-psychotic anxiety

prochlorperazine should not be administered at doses of more than 20 mg per day or for longer than 12 weeks

OralTablet

PROMETHAZINE

Promethazine, Phenergan · Antiemetic / Antihistamine

How it works

Other agent

Approved for

INDICATIONS AND USAGE Promethazine hydrochloride tablets

USP are useful for: Perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis. Vasomotor rhinitis. Allergic conjunctivitis due to inhalant allergens and foods. Mild

uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of urticaria and angioedema. Amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma. Dermographism. Anaphylactic reactions

as adjunctive therapy to epinephrine and other standard measures

OralTablet

Quick Comparison

PROCHLORPERAZINEPROMETHAZINE

Drug Class

Antiemetic

Antiemetic / Antihistamine

Route

Oral

Half-Life

—

FDA Approved

—

Side Effect Frequency Comparison

Estimated frequency (%) based on clinical trial data

Side Effects

PROCHLORPERAZINE

Nausea

>10%

Fatigue

>10%

Diarrhea

>10%

Vomiting

1-10%

Weakness

1-10%

Decreased Appetite

0.1-1%

Shortness of Breath

0.1-1%

Constipation

0.1-1%

PROMETHAZINE

Nausea

>10%

Vomiting

1-10%

Fatigue

1-10%

Diarrhea

1-10%

Headache

1-10%

Shortness of Breath

1-10%

Back Pain

0.1-1%

Anxiety

0.1-1%

FDA Warnings

PROCHLORPERAZINE

WARNING Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death
Analyses of seventeen placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1
7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients
Over the course of a typical 10-week controlled trial, the rate of death in drug-treated patients was about 4

PROMETHAZINE

WARNINGS WARNING: PROMETHAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS, USP SHOULD NOT BE USED IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OF AGE BECAUSE OF THE POTENTIAL FOR FATAL RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION
POSTMARKETING CASES OF RESPIRATORY DEPRESSION, INCLUDING FATALITIES, HAVE BEEN REPORTED WITH USE OF PROMETHAZINE HYDROCHLORIDE TABLETS, USP IN PEDIATRIC PATIENTS LESS THAN 2 YEARS OF AGE
Respiratory Depression Promethazine hydrochloride tablets, USP may lead to potentially fatal respiratory depression
Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome A potentially fatal symptom complex sometimes referred to as Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (NMS) has been reported in association with promethazine hydrochloride alone or in combination with antipsychotic drugs

Clinical Trial Data

No head-to-head clinical studies found for PROCHLORPERAZINE vs PROMETHAZINE.

PROCHLORPERAZINE vs PROMETHAZINE: What You Should Know

Key Differences

Safety Considerations

This comparison is for informational purposes only. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making medication decisions.