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Prochlorperazine side effects: what 27,539 FDA adverse event reports show

Prochlorperazine · 1,170 reaction terms · 111,727 drug–reaction co-reports · data 2026-09-14
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Drug class

Not stated in label

Who reports

27,539 reports · 76% serious · 3,806 with death outcome · 58% female

openFDA FAERS counts, all years, deduplication not applied

Used for

For control of severe nausea and vomiting. For the treatment of schizophrenia. Prochlorperazine is effective for the short-term treatment of generalized non-psychotic anxiety. However, 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).

FDA label, Indications and Usage

What it is

DESCRIPTION Prochlorperazine, USP is a phenothiazine derivative, present in prochlorperazine tablets as the maleate. Prochlorperazine maleate is designated chemically as 2-chloro-10-[3-(4- met.

FDA label, Description section

Boxed 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 place.

FDA label
How to read this page. FAERS is a spontaneous-reporting system: counts are not incidence rates and a signal is not proof of causation. Each reaction below is run through an automated screen — is the term in the FDA label (known), in the indications (the disease being treated), an administrative/coding term, or none of these (unlabeled)? That screen is mechanical text matching, not a causality assessment. The 30 hand-written Bradford Hill assessments are on the causality assessment page. Not medical advice.

Causality screen of the 40 strongest signals

Labeled adverse reaction 1Labeled (related wording) 3Lab value / disease marker 4Not in label — unassessed 32
What the badges mean

Strongest disproportionality signals

Flagged terms (PRR ≥ 2, χ² ≥ 4, n ≥ 10), ranked by PRR; infinite PRRs (no comparator reports) excluded. The EBGM column is a second, shrinkage-based estimate (MGPS) with its 5th percentile EB05 and the BCPNN IC025; a pair flagged by PRR alone is marked PRR-only and should be read as fragile. The strata column recomputes the PRR on serious reports only (and, for the 300 most-reported drugs, adjusted for age band), and flags pairs whose reports are unusually skewed by sex or come mostly from consumers. Each row also shows the PRR against the other drugs of the same FDA class, which removes most confounding by the condition being treated, and a calibrated p-value: on validation, known non-causes average an ROR of about 2, so significance is judged against that empirical null (✓ = p < 0.05 after calibration). 1,130 further terms are in the interactive explorer. Reaction links open the term's cross-drug page.

Show:
ReactionReportsPRR 95% CI · ROR · χ²/pEBGM EB05 · IC025Label screenSerious-only & strataTrial cross-check
Neurologic neglect syndrome169330.1
275.5–395.4ROR 332.1 · calibrated p 5e-12 ✓
223.7 EB05 196.8 · IC025 +6.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=169 · ♀ 100% (drug 58%) · 93% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Neovascularisation55208.3
154.6–280.8ROR 208.7 · calibrated p 6e-10 ✓
154.6 EB05 123.2 · IC025 +5.6
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=55 · ♀ 100% (drug 58%) · 91% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Carotid artery thrombosis177199.3
168.9–235.2ROR 200.6 · calibrated p 5e-10 ✓
155.1 EB05 136.8 · IC025 +6.5
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=177 · ♀ 100% (drug 58%) · 93% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Adjustment disorder168112.5
95.7–132.2ROR 113.2 · calibrated p 5e-8 ✓
96.9 EB05 85.2 · IC025 +6.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=168 · ♀ 100% (drug 58%) · 93% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Bacterial translocation3491.4
64.0–130.5ROR 91.5 · calibrated p 5e-7 ✓
78.1 EB05 58.5 · IC025 +4.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=34 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Personality disorder17152.8
45.2–61.6ROR 53.1 · calibrated p 1e-5 ✓
49.1 EB05 43.2 · IC025 +5.2
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=170 · ♀ 100% (drug 58%) · 92% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Cholestasis of pregnancy2442.2
27.9–63.6ROR 42.2 · calibrated p 8e-5 ✓
38.8 EB05 27.5 · IC025 +3.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=24 · ♀ 100% (drug 58%)not reported in cached trials
Klebsiella bacteraemia4236.0
26.4–49.0ROR 36.0 · calibrated p 1e-4 ✓
33.9 EB05 26.1 · IC025 +4.1
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=42not reported in cached trials
Streptococcal bacteraemia4331.7
23.4–43.0ROR 31.7 · calibrated p 3e-4 ✓
30.1 EB05 23.3 · IC025 +4.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=43 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Gangrene18824.3
21.0–28.1ROR 24.5 · calibrated p 8e-4 ✓
23.5 EB05 20.8 · IC025 +4.2
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=188 · ♀ 100% (drug 58%) · 93% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Febrile neutropenia1,92922.8
21.8–23.8ROR 24.5 · calibrated p 8e-4 ✓
22.2 EB05 21.3 · IC025 +4.4
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 16.7 · 95% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Pseudomonal bacteraemia2422.4
14.9–33.6ROR 22.4 · calibrated p 0.002 ✓
21.4 EB05 15.1 · IC025 +3.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=24not reported in cached trials
Escherichia bacteraemia6020.2
15.7–26.2ROR 20.3 · calibrated p 0.002 ✓
19.6 EB05 15.8 · IC025 +3.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=60 · 92% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Sensory loss19318.6
16.1–21.5ROR 18.7 · calibrated p 0.003 ✓
18.2 EB05 16.1 · IC025 +3.9
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 16.0 · ♀ 96% (drug 58%) · 91% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Arterial occlusive disease18718.4
15.9–21.3ROR 18.5 · calibrated p 0.003 ✓
18.0 EB05 15.9 · IC025 +3.9
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 14.0 · ♀ 97% (drug 58%) · 91% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Enterocolitis infectious2218.4
12.1–28.1ROR 18.4 · calibrated p 0.004 ✓
17.6 EB05 12.1 · IC025 +3.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=22not reported in cached trials
Foetal heart rate abnormal2117.6
11.4–27.2ROR 17.6 · calibrated p 0.005 ✓
16.8 EB05 11.4 · IC025 +2.9
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=21 · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Hemiplegia17716.5
14.2–19.1ROR 16.6 · calibrated p 0.005 ✓
16.1 EB05 14.2 · IC025 +3.7
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 12.3 · ♀ 100% (drug 58%) · 92% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Lymphadenitis5116.4
12.4–21.6ROR 16.4 · calibrated p 0.006 ✓
15.9 EB05 12.5 · IC025 +3.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=51 · ♀ 100% (drug 58%)not reported in cached trials
Extensor plantar response1815.0
9.4–24.0ROR 15.0 · calibrated p 0.010 ✓
14.1 EB05 8.9 · IC025 +2.6
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=18not reported in cached trials
Hospice care18114.2
12.3–16.5ROR 14.3 · calibrated p 0.009 ✓
13.9 EB05 12.3 · IC025 +3.5
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 7.4not reported in cached trials
Affect lability17614.1
12.1–16.4ROR 14.2 · calibrated p 0.009 ✓
13.8 EB05 12.2 · IC025 +3.5
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 14.4 · ♀ 97% (drug 58%) · 90% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Mean platelet volume decreased1514.0
8.4–23.3ROR 14.0 · calibrated p 0.014 ✓
12.7 EB05 7.5 · IC025 +2.4
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=14not reported in cached trials
Motor dysfunction17913.7
11.8–15.9ROR 13.8 · calibrated p 0.010 ✓
13.4 EB05 11.8 · IC025 +3.5
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 12.7 · ♀ 100% (drug 58%) · 93% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Carbohydrate antigen 125 increased5412.1
9.3–15.9ROR 12.1 · calibrated p 0.018 ✓
11.7 EB05 9.2 · IC025 +3.0
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious n=48 · ♀ 100% (drug 58%) · 79% consumernot reported in cached trials
Muscle spasticity19412.1
10.5–13.9ROR 12.2 · calibrated p 0.016 ✓
11.8 EB05 10.5 · IC025 +3.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 12.8 · ♀ 100% (drug 58%) · 92% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Blood magnesium decreased13211.8
9.9–14.0ROR 11.9 · calibrated p 0.018 ✓
11.5 EB05 9.9 · IC025 +3.2
3/3 methods agree
Lab value / disease markerserious PRR 9.7 · ♀ 85% (drug 58%)not reported in cached trials
Paradoxical drug reaction5611.8
9.0–15.3ROR 11.8 · calibrated p 0.020 ✓
11.3 EB05 8.9 · IC025 +3.0
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=56 · ♀ 100% (drug 58%)not reported in cached trials
Adenocarcinoma gastric1411.7
6.9–19.9ROR 11.7 · calibrated p 0.027 ✓
10.2 EB05 5.9 · IC025 +2.2
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=14not reported in cached trials
Clonus4111.5
8.5–15.7ROR 11.5 · calibrated p 0.022 ✓
11.0 EB05 8.3 · IC025 +2.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=41 · ♀ 100% (drug 58%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone disorder1611.5
7.0–18.8ROR 11.5 · calibrated p 0.028 ✓
10.1 EB05 6.1 · IC025 +2.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=16not reported in cached trials
Cancer pain3811.4
8.3–15.7ROR 11.4 · calibrated p 0.023 ✓
10.8 EB05 8.0 · IC025 +2.8
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=35not reported in cached trials
Oculogyric crisis3111.4
8.0–16.2ROR 11.4 · calibrated p 0.024 ✓
10.6 EB05 7.6 · IC025 +2.7
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious n=31 · ♀ 79% (drug 58%) · 100% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Sinus congestion19511.1
9.7–12.8ROR 11.2 · calibrated p 0.022 ✓
10.9 EB05 9.6 · IC025 +3.2
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=190 · ♀ 96% (drug 58%)not reported in cached trials
Psychological trauma12410.9
9.2–13.1ROR 11.0 · calibrated p 0.024 ✓
10.7 EB05 9.1 · IC025 +3.1
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 8.2 · ♀ 100% (drug 58%) · 100% consumernot reported in cached trials
Cytokine release syndrome26310.6
9.4–12.0ROR 10.7 · calibrated p 0.026 ✓
10.4 EB05 9.4 · IC025 +3.2
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 8.0 · 97% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Lymph node pain2510.3
7.0–15.3ROR 10.3 · calibrated p 0.035 ✓
9.4 EB05 6.4 · IC025 +2.4
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious n=23 · ♀ 100% (drug 58%)not reported in cached trials

Trial evidence (ClinicalTrials.gov)

✓ Trial adverse-event data found on ClinicalTrials.gov

Largest completed trials with posted results that list Prochlorperazine as a study intervention. The right-hand column of the signal table shows whether each FAERS term was also recorded in these trials, with a real denominator (0 of 40 signal terms matched).

Caveats: trial populations, doses and follow-up differ from the reporting population; AE terms are sponsor-coded and matched here by wording; absence from a trial list means the term was not reported above the sponsor's frequency threshold, not that it cannot occur.

Most frequently reported reactions

By raw co-report count, regardless of disproportionality. Common terms here are often the illness itself or generic outcomes.

ReactionReportsPRR 95% CI · ROR · χ²/pEBGM EB05 · IC025Label screenSerious-only & strataTrial cross-check
Nausea3,4223.3
3.2–3.4ROR 3.6 · calibrated p 0.452
3.3 EB05 3.2 · IC025 +1.7
3/3 methods agree
Likely indication confounding
term in indications; also in warnings
serious PRR 3.2NCT03367572: 1/91 (1.1%) on Prochlorperazine (serious AE)
Fatigue (tiredness)2,8402.8
2.7–2.9ROR 3.0 · calibrated p 0.628
2.8 EB05 2.7 · IC025 +1.4
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 2.4NCT03367572: 2/109 (1.8%) control (serious AE)
Diarrhoea (diarrhea)2,4042.9
2.7–3.0ROR 3.0 · calibrated p 0.617
2.8 EB05 2.7 · IC025 +1.4
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 2.5NCT03367572: 1/110 (0.9%) control
Vomiting1,9393.2
3.0–3.3ROR 3.3 · calibrated p 0.531
3.1 EB05 3.0 · IC025 +1.6
3/3 methods agree
Labeled — boxed warning
exact term
serious PRR 2.8not reported in cached trials
Febrile neutropenia1,92922.8
21.8–23.8ROR 24.5 · calibrated p 8e-4 ✓
22.2 EB05 21.3 · IC025 +4.4
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 16.7 · 95% cliniciannot reported in cached trials
Death1,7521.5
1.5–1.6ROR 1.6 · calibrated p 0.698
1.5 EB05 1.5 · IC025 +0.6Outcome field, not a reaction
boxed warning mentions mortality
serious PRR 1.2not reported in cached trials
Off label use (used outside approved label)1,4001.2
1.2–1.3ROR 1.2 · calibrated p 0.468
1.2 EB05 1.2 · IC025 +0.2Reporting / coding artifactserious PRR 1.2not reported in cached trials
Asthenia (weakness)1,3142.7
2.5–2.8ROR 2.7 · calibrated p 0.714
2.7 EB05 2.5 · IC025 +1.3
3/3 methods agree
Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 2.3not reported in cached trials
Pneumonia (lung infection)1,2082.9
2.7–3.0ROR 2.9 · calibrated p 0.648
2.8 EB05 2.7 · IC025 +1.4
3/3 methods agree
Labeled — boxed warning
exact term
serious PRR 2.2not reported in cached trials
Dyspnoea (shortness of breath)1,1471.5
1.5–1.6ROR 1.6 · calibrated p 0.686
1.5 EB05 1.5 · IC025 +0.5Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 1.4NCT03367572: 1/110 (0.9%) control (serious AE)
Pyrexia (fever)1,0782.4
2.2–2.5ROR 2.4 · calibrated p 0.844
2.4 EB05 2.3 · IC025 +1.1
3/3 methods agree
Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 2.1not reported in cached trials
Pain1,0531.3
1.2–1.4ROR 1.3 · calibrated p 0.518
1.3 EB05 1.2 · IC025 +0.3Not in label — unassessedserious PRR 1.3NCT03367572: 1/110 (0.9%) control (serious AE)
Headache1,0271.2
1.2–1.3ROR 1.3 · calibrated p 0.480
1.2 EB05 1.2 · IC025 +0.2Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 1.5NCT03367572: 1/109 (0.9%) control (serious AE)
Dizziness1,0091.5
1.5–1.6ROR 1.6 · calibrated p 0.684
1.5 EB05 1.5 · IC025 +0.5Labeled adverse reaction
exact term
serious PRR 1.5NCT03367572: 1/91 (1.1%) on Prochlorperazine (serious AE)

Unlabeled candidate signals

These flagged terms were not found in the FDA label text and do not match an artifact pattern. They are the pairs that would merit a structured assessment (temporality, dose-response, biological plausibility, consistency across databases, trial or cohort evidence). The screen has not done that; string-matching misses label wording, and a strong PRR can still be stimulated reporting, co-medication, or the disease itself.

Want to assess one of these properly? The runbook describes the Bradford Hill / trial-evidence workflow used on the assessment page, and handoff_top1000_signals.csv lists the strongest unassessed pairs across all drugs.

Common questions

What are the most reported side effects of Prochlorperazine?

In FDA FAERS, the most frequently co-reported reaction terms for Prochlorperazine are nausea, fatigue, diarrhoea, vomiting, febrile neutropenia, asthenia. These are report counts, not rates: FAERS has no denominator, reporting is voluntary and uneven, and a term can be reported because of the illness being treated rather than the drug.

Does Prochlorperazine have an FDA boxed warning?

Yes. The current FDA label carries a boxed 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 place.

Do FAERS signals prove that Prochlorperazine causes these side effects?

No. A disproportionality signal (PRR, ROR) means a reaction is reported more often with this drug than with others in the database. That can reflect a real effect, but also the disease being treated, stimulated reporting after news or litigation, co-medications, or how reports are coded. Causality needs temporality, dose-response, biological plausibility, consistency across data sources and, ideally, trial or cohort evidence. This page screens each term against the FDA label and ClinicalTrials.gov results; it does not establish causation.

Sources & methods

Page generated 2026-10-14. Label and PubChem text are retrieved automatically and may lag the current label; always check the current prescribing information. OpenPV is a beta research tool of the Open Source Medicine Foundation.