prochlorperazine + diphenhydramine

Prochlorperazine + diphenhydramine is a combination therapy commonly used in emergency and acute care settings, particularly for the treatment of migraine headaches and severe nausea or vomiting. Prochlorperazine is a first-generation (typical) antipsychotic of the phenothiazine class that acts primarily as a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist in the brain, providing antiemetic and antipsychotic effects. Diphenhydramine is an antihistamine with anticholinergic properties that blocks histamine H1 receptors; it is co-administered to reduce the risk of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS), such as akathisia, which are associated with prochlorperazine use. The combination has been shown to be more effective than opioids like hydromorphone for migraine-associated symptoms and reduces EPS at the cost of increased sedation[1][2][3][4].

Brand names

CompazineBenadryl

Other names

prochlorperazine and diphenhydramineStandard IV therapyprochlorperazine/diphenhydramine combination