Compazine and Restlessness: What Users Say

• Eve...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 7, 2021

For Anxiety "I went to the ER twice for migraines, and both times they gave me Compazine. The worst experience of my life. I felt like I was going to tear the walls down, I just wanted to tell everyone to shut up. I couldn’t stand the noise or the talking. I couldn’t even stand my phone ringing, and me having to answer, I didn’t even want to text. Now I suffer from severe anxiety, and I have never felt so restless, agitated, and anxious. I thought I was going to pull my hair out. Since I drove myself to the ER, I had to drive myself back, which I made it home, but while home, I wanted to just jump out of my window. I took one Benadryl, and it didn’t help, it just made me feel more restless. I had to take Ativan, and it helped to the point where I was able to sleep, but even in my sleep, I was jittery and still a bit anxious, shaking. My husband doesn’t believe me, and it is hard to explain, but now that I read these stories, I know now I’m allergic to Compazine."

• Tra...
• December 20, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "I was hospitalized for 4 days due to infection. Well, one of the nurses asked me if I felt nauseous, and I should've said NO because I was barely nauseous. She gave me Compazine over IV, and the worst feeling of dread, terror, anxiety, heart palpitations, restlessness, and panic took control over me for a whole week. Even after I was discharged, I had extreme panic attacks even in the middle of the night. While at the hospital, I wanted to keep running away and scream just to get away from the overwhelming feeling of HORROR. My husband had to keep praying for me. I couldn't sleep. The final night before the medicine finally wore off was when I started hyperventilating. My husband had to literally slap my face 4 times to calm me down! Because of that one medication, I developed a phobia of taking medicines and sometimes eating new food. I had never known panic or anxiety ever before Compazine. It still grips me with fear."

• Man...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2020

For Nausea/Vomiting "Another horror story about Compazine. I went to the ER with a migraine and neck pain that would not break. The doctor gave me their “migraine cocktail” and a few minutes later, I started shaking. I struggle with anxiety and was obviously upset because of the headache, so at first, I thought that was it. However, as time went on, I got more and more agitated. I couldn’t sit still or stop moving my legs. I wanted to rip out my IV and leave! I even tried to disconnect it a few times. Eventually, I just sat there, crying and rocking back and forth on my bed like I was going crazy. I told the doctor how I was feeling, and she said it was common. She gave me some Ativan which helped after 2 or 3 hours. I’m so thankful I was able to sleep after that. What a terrifying experience. I will be putting this on my allergy list. Please check before you get a “migraine cocktail!”"

• Bmr...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2019

For Anxiety "Last week, I was sent to the ER for a terrible migraine and anxiety/panic attack. They gave me Tylenol, Benadryl, and Compazine as a migraine cocktail they called it. As they gave me Compazine, they told me that it would cause me to have more anxiety. I have never experienced the feeling that I had after being given Compazine. I was extremely panicked and couldn’t stay still. I wanted to rip out my IV and just felt like I had to leave and go home. I told the nurse I was feeling like I had to leave and extremely panicked and restless. I couldn’t calm down and felt like I was fighting against my own body. The nurses just told me that they warned me that it would cause more anxiety. I still can’t figure out why they would give me that knowing I was already having anxiety. I will never ever take Compazine again."

• Aka...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 6, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "Just for the record, the reviews on this site are absolutely real. I know because it happened to me, and I’ve talked to at least a heap people over the past 2 years who have experienced its bad side effects as well. This drug causes akathisia in some, which is why so many of the reviews are similar. Just because it didn’t happen to you doesn’t mean it doesn’t happen. Compazine ruined my life, and I only took it ONCE. Proceed with caution."

• Tab...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 29, 2018

For Nausea/Vomiting "Reading all the posts makes me feel less crazy. I highly advise everyone to not take this medication. I have anxiety and I have panic attacks, so I thought it was just me, but I have never had one come on so terribly for no reason. Then I realized it was the medication. I was given that with Benadryl through an IV. Within 30 minutes, I was restless. I panicked. I had an overwhelming feeling to rip out my IV and run. I wanted to be home. I was crying hysterically, begging to go home. My teeth wouldn't stop chattering, and I couldn't stop wiggling around. It was a very bad and overwhelming experience. The practitioner then let us know that can happen with this medication. I also learned it's for anxiety and schizophrenia, but I don't understand how when it makes you feel so very upset and out of body. I will never take this again."

• MMa...
• February 18, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "I went into the ER for a migraine. The nurse gave me a 'cocktail' of meds: Toradol, Compazine, and Benadryl. He told me my migraine should be gone within 15 minutes. BUT within minutes of the Compazine being given to me through IV, I felt the worst I have ever felt. Agitated, restless, scared. It was the worst anxiety/panic I have felt. I wanted to die so bad. I NEEDED help and I kept calling out, and they just told me 'it'll wear off.' I was hollering and crying and upset and absolutely terrified. I couldn't stop shaking, I wanted to rip my IV out and run out of there as fast as I could. It's been 2 weeks and I still don't feel like myself. I have these bursts of panic and nausea, I feel completely and utterly distraught. I told my doctor about it, but they just dismissed me. I'm scared this feeling will never go away. It was completely traumatizing, and I don't recommend this to anyone ever. I do not wish this on my worst enemy, and you couldn't get me to take this again for a billion dollars."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 4, 2018

For Anxiety "Was given this medicine through an IV with a cocktail of other drugs to treat my headache because I got a concussion and was in the ER. Gave me a severe panic attack, I woke up crying and wailing, wanting to rip the IV out of my arm. I could not sleep, felt as if I was suffocating and could not breathe or get enough air. That night I went home, I could not sleep without severe anxiety and my heart racing like crazy. Still felt as if I could not breathe. Woke up this morning and felt the same but not as severe. Could not sit still and felt extremely restless or do anything normal and have been looking up to see if these symptoms are normal and am not surprised to see that many other people experience this too with Compazine. I don't know when I will go back to normal, but STAY AWAY FROM THIS DRUG."

• Gab...
• July 16, 2017

For Anxiety "Given this medication for a headache 3 weeks ago, still feeling side effects! Very restless, insomnia, irrational thoughts, I feel like I've lost touch with reality! It's horrible! I wish they would've told me before they put it in me through IV! If anyone please knows what to do to fall back into reality, please share."

• Ikn...
• October 23, 2019

For Anxiety "Everyone on here. I know exactly what you experienced, it's a gruesome condition called akathisia. And the doctors know about it. But they will not tell you! It is a serious side effect. Because people can't stand the way they feel with akathisia. Please join the akathisia group on Facebook. There is help and support if you're still suffering."

• sky...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 16, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "I know all drugs come with side effects, but please listen to me and other people on here. I was given Compazine one time in February of 2019 for vomiting. I experienced graphic, really dark thoughts, hallucinations, akathisia, tinnitus, panic attacks, brain zaps, a feeling of bugs crawling under my skin, paranoia, and at one point a complete inability to feel joy. I am still not myself, and it is now July. There is nothing any doctor can do for you once this medication messes you up. I was a normal wife, mother, and employee, and some days now I can’t take care of myself, let alone my family. This drug has ruined my life, and it was one dose for something as simple as nausea. There are much safer alternatives for nausea and vomiting."

• JMG...
• March 23, 2017

For Nausea/Vomiting "My wife was administered Compazine after receiving chemo to relieve nausea symptoms. Within 12 hours, she became restless, irritable, felt like her muscles were being ripped out of her body, it caused her to have a 103 fever and diarrhea, coupled with the chemo almost killed her. She ended up in the ICU unconscious and almost died. Our team of doctors told us this was a rare occurrence. From reading the other reviews and witnessing this firsthand, I would advise anyone, if offered this drug, to decline. It was truly the biggest nightmare of my wife's life. On the scale of 1-10 above, this survey asked to select how effective this medicine was. Therefore, we would give it a 0=ZERO."

• Nei...
• September 14, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "Absolute worst experience. Please read the reviews. They gave me this for a headache, heart rate went to 155. I felt like I was going to die, never in my life have I felt that level of panic. My first instinct was to rip my IV out. Became restless, skin crawling feeling like I needed to jump out of my body. It was the most uncomfortable I have ever felt. Once home, I paced back and forth for hours, I could not sit or lay down. I felt like I was losing my mind - I just wanted it to stop. I called the hospital, they suggested Benadryl, the ONLY thing that let me lay down after hours. I took a couple more the next day to be able to stop moving every second. It's been 33 hours since I was given this med, and I am still restless, cannot stop moving my legs. I don't care how much pain or how nauseous I could be or how much someone paid me, never in my life would I take this again, and I wish I had looked it up first."

• Anonymous
• March 7, 2010

For Nausea/Vomiting "I experienced the 'restless, anxious' side effects from this medication, and it's been almost 24 hours, and I am still feeling it in my legs. My headache is gone, which is great, but my legs can't stop moving."

• Ano...
• January 31, 2017

For Nausea/Vomiting "This is the only medication I have ever been given in my entire life that has made me literally want to rip out my IV and run out of the ER. I was given this in the ER to curb the side effects of my lumbar puncture. I have anxiety and RLS, so in the beginning, I thought I was just experiencing a minor panic attack. I felt so restless that I had to go to the bathroom just to do something with myself. When I got back to the bed, I immediately told my gf that I wanted to leave. Was pushing the call light. And damn near left screaming. I flipped my shot on the doctor, and he said this was a common side effect. I told him I feel like I'm going to have a panic attack, and he gave me Benadryl and some kind of benzo. Absolutely horrid."

• RNa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 4, 2019

For Anxiety "I’m sorry you all have gone through this, but at least I feel I am not alone! I went to the ER last night for a severe migraine, and they gave me Toradol, Compazine, and dexamethasone. The crawling out of my skin and restlessness, fidgeting constantly, was the worst! It’s been 12 hours now, and it seems slightly better. How long does it last? Hang in there, my fellow sufferers, try to remember it won’t last forever. XO."

• NE6...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 1, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "I had experienced high agitation and restlessness with this drug before, so it’s been on my allergy list. Unfortunately, I was going through a difficult procedure, and it’s the only anti-emetic this office offered. It had been over 10 years since I took it, so I figured I’d try it again. Bad idea. This drug causes severe anxiety, agitation, muscle pain, and a general feeling of needing to rip out of your skin! I remember now why it was on my DO NOT USE list, the effects stay with you for a long time too. I will never take this again. There’s a reason it’s listed as a mental health drug/antipsychotic. In my opinion, it MAKES you psychotic."

• Dra...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 5, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting "Was given this drug in the ER for a migraine and nausea, they didn’t tell me what they were given, and I had the worst headache and didn’t even ask. Lo and behold, this medicine ruined my life after one dose!!! Was given with Benadryl, and I felt extremely anxious, panicky, my legs and body were so restless I thought I was gonna die on the CT table. I couldn’t put words together. It’s been 5 days, and I’m still not the same: panic attacks galore, anxiety, tight band around head/headache, fear of doom, and dizziness galore. This should be illegal."

• MDa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 17, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "I was in the ER due to a severe migraine that couldn’t be controlled with my prescriptions that I usually take. They gave me Compazine for the nausea/vomiting. It was the most awful thing ever. I became so restless. I felt like I had to leave and go home. I couldn’t sit still, and I felt like I constantly needed to pace the room. I felt like I was going crazy, and like I was about to rip my hair out. (I didn’t.) I will avoid this medicine at all costs. I don’t even know if it helped the nausea/vomiting because it made me feel so weird."

• Bea...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 27, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "I wish I could give this drug 0/10 stars. This is not a drug that I would give to my worst enemy-and I have tried many drugs for migraines! I was given this with the migraine cocktail in the ER, which also includes Benadryl and Toradol. I experienced extreme anxiety and restlessness. I wanted to rip the IV out of my arm and run out of the hospital... not that I could have done this anyway because it caused me to have extrapyramidal and dystonic side effects! When I got discharged from the ER, this was the worst night of my life. My friend had to sleep over because I was freaking out. The side effects lasted for 2 days."

• Poo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "I went to the ER last night with nausea and vomiting. I was given Zofran, but it had soon worn off. I told the doctor, and he said he would give me something else. The nurse came in with the Compazine. She gave it to me through my IV. Within minutes, I started to feel really jittery and restless! I started to become anxious and fidgety, and I wanted to rip my IV out of my arm. The medicine worked for the nausea, but it's definitely not worth the side effects! It was the worst feeling ever!!! It has been 21 hours since, and I still don't feel right. The symptoms have calmed down a lot, but I'm still not 100%."

• Poo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 23, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "I went to the ER last night with nausea and vomiting. I was given Zofran, but it had soon worn off. I told the doctor, and he said he would give me something else. The nurse came in with the Compazine. She gave it to me through my IV. Within minutes, I started to feel really jittery and restless! I started to become anxious and fidgety, and I wanted to rip my IV out of my arm. The medicine worked for the nausea, but it's definitely not worth the side effects! It was the worst feeling ever!!! It has been 21 hours since, and I still don't feel right. The symptoms have calmed down a lot, but I'm still not 100%."

• Kad...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 2, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "I've had three OHS (open heart surgeries), so I've had my fair share of IV medicine. NOTHING, and I repeat, absolutely nothing I have taken has made me feel as awful as this did. Five minutes after receiving the dose of Compazine, I started getting restless, like I wanted to crawl out of my skin. I complained about how uncomfortable I truly was, and the doctor just said, 'Oh yeah, that happens.' Please don't take this, it may have helped my pain. But here I am, 19 hours later, still feeling like complete garbage. I honestly wish I would have read these reviews first."

• Yik...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 8, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting "Please don’t take this medication. They gave it to me through IV as a part of their useless “migraine cocktail,” which needs to be discontinued in and of itself. Needless to say, within 10 seconds, I was hot, sweaty, agitated - ready to pull the IV out, and I’ve had RLS before, this was a tad worse. The pure akathisia felt like hell. Then they gave me this as opposed to stronger meds because they were worried about me driving, but hell - if only they knew that this was more dangerous to drive with, maybe they would have reconsidered. This stuff makes you feel depersonalized, more sick, helplessly “under” (the best way I can put it), and the only way out is TIME. Benzos make it more tolerable (slightly). I’m on day two afterward, and I feel fortunate that I’m about 75 percent “back” from whatever hellish trip that was. It’s now on my allergy list. Lawsuit!"

• Hor...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 18, 2016

For Nausea/Vomiting "The absolute worst experience with an antiemetic I have ever had. I literally panicked in the hospital to the point I almost pulled my IV out. Zofran stopped working for my hyperemesis gravidarum, but I would rather live with nausea and vomiting day in and out than feel the uncontrolled anxiety and restlessness I felt with Compazine!"