panic-attack reaction to compazine

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Stormy0516

7 Posts

compazine and other phenothiazines are well-known for causing acute dystonic reactions... for further info on dystonia and it's other causes please go to http://communities.msn.com/friendswithdystonia/home.htm

XYRNMN

28 Posts

I was given IV compazine once about 8 years ago.

I was inpt. following a spont PTX and the vicodin I was being given wouldn't stay down for anything.

So, the well meaning nurse says, "oh I have something that's gonna make you feel much better!"

Great! Let me have it!

So, about 10-15 minutes later I started getting very antsy, eyes darting around, had some tardive-like movements, kept licking my lips, and told my family and the staff that I felt like I should jump out the window.

Not that I wanted to jump out, but that I felt I should.

That scared me more than anything; having the strong urge to do something you have a strong aversion to doing.

I felt completely unsafe, the nurse(s) obviously couldn't stay at my bedside non-stop, so I made my GF (now my wife) stay and make sure I was safe.

It took about 6 hours until I was back to "normal"; I say that because I had kind of a hangover and felt completely drained afterwards.

Not somnolent, as some people get from compazine, but just wiped out.

I now have that on my allergy list.

In my own nursing practice, I only use compazine if zofran, reglan, inapsine or anzemet have failed (or aren't available).

If I choose to give compazine, I always ask the pt first if they've had it before, and if not, I give less than the ordered dose, and if 15 minutes later there are no extrapyramidals, I'll complete the dose.

(I know, I know, that's not "by the book", but it's better for the pt, IMO.)

Also, I've noticed that some of the people that react badly to IV compazine also sometimes get agitated from IV Benedryl, and sometimes get disoriented from IV Zantac.

(Usually only in the elderly that I've seen the problems with Zantac.)

-Kris

Specializes in Cardiac, ER.

I too have had that reaction to compazine,.although I did stop puking!! After I became a nurse I've seen the reaction several times,..it does help to dilute it well and push it very slow,...I'd rather give Zofran

XYRNMN

28 Posts

Yep, the nice thing about Zofran is I can fairly confidently tell my pt that it will either relieve the nausea, or do nothing at all.

Pretty much zero adverse effects, in my 7 year experience.

I'm sure there are exceptions, but it's really nice to have a drug like Z that you know will have pretty rapid positive results.

I still occas. give Compazine, but like I said earlier, I take great care in administration/dosing and I am frank and up front with the patient beforehand that if they've never tried Comp. before they might experience some unpleasant effects for a few hours.

I don't scare them, I do mention that it's only in an unknown smallish fraction of the population, otherwise the drug wouldn't be on the market at all.

But, having experienced firsthand the unbridled wrath that Compazine has on my brain/body for several hours, I really really don't want to subject any patient to that.

That said, I've seen it work very well for many patients, but it does demand due caution.

-K

Janlynn

29 Posts

Specializes in Emergency.

When I give Compazine I always mix it wit 50ml/NS. I drip it in slow and have never had anyone get a reaction. I have had one ER doc write an order t give it as 5mg slow IVP and give the other 5mg 5minutes later. It worked.

miko014

672 Posts

Hmmm...I've never seen ths with compazine or phenergan. I'd never even heard of it before I read this thread. Does anyone know if the PO form causes as much trouble?

I know what you're thinking...'PO antiemetics?? Whatever!', but we do it. If someone has a med that they need, but it makes them nauseous, we will give it with a PO antiemetic to prevent problems. I just wonder if, since the PO form would be slower acting, would it cause as many problems?

BJLynn

97 Posts

Specializes in DD, Geriatrics, Neuro.

I've had that reaction too. I exlpained it to my GP like this:

Dr: You have listed down Compazine as having an allergy to. What was your reaction?

Me: Picture a squirrel on crack........

Dr: Oh my, I don't think we will give that one to you ever again.

XYRNMN

28 Posts

I've had that reaction too. I exlpained it to my GP like this:

Dr: You have listed down Compazine as having an allergy to. What was your reaction?

Me: Picture a squirrel on crack........

Dr: Oh my, I don't think we will give that one to you ever again.

:lol2:

That's so right on!

I love that doc's response: "Oh my...", I'm 'picturing' an english accent in my head as I read that.

Squirrels on crack, I love it!!!

:rotfl:

-K

Specializes in ICU/PCU/Infusion.

Compazine is on my allergy list as well, but not for the reasons given here. Compazine gives me lockjaw!

I'll never take it again!

Specializes in NICU/Neonatal transport.

*waves hand* EPS to phenergan too.

First was given it while on complete bedrest in the hospital. They finally sedated me so it would wear off. *shudder* No phenergan or compazine, please. Reglan seems to not do much but didn't whack me out. I just hope to not need serious anti-emetics again - here's hoping!

poodles

4 Posts

Specializes in Mental Health.
:eek: I've had that reaction after I was given toradol and compazine IV for a migraine. It was awful!!! I didn't really feel panicked but completely restless and agitated. (Headache was gone though!) The ER doc gave me 40 mg benadryl IV which cured (and practically zombified) me. Never compazine again for me. And I do watch out for it in patients - if they are confused or agitated already they are difficult to calm.

I had a similar experience when I was treated with Compazine and Toradol IV for a migraine. I received the meds around 1 PM. The headache and nausea quickly resolved, but I started to feel very nervous inside, and couldn't stay still. I kept rocking from side to side on the ER bed. The MD said I was having a reaction to the Compazine, and gave me IV Benadryl (which didn't really help). The MD said there was nothing else they could do for me, and told me to go home and take po Benadryl per package directions. At home, I was too tired to be out of bed, but couldn't sleep; I just kept rolling back and forth in bed, taking the po Benadryl every few hours, telling myself the Compazine would eventually wear off. I finally was able to fall asleep around 9 PM.

EarthChild1130

576 Posts

Specializes in Psychiatric.

I haven't seen anyone have that reaction with Compazine yet but I have seen it with Phenergan and, in nursing school, I gave a young woman her schedule dose of Reglan only to come in a few minutes later to find her having an EPS reaction to the Reglan!! 50 mg of Benadryl cleared that up, but it scarred me for life! lol...I'm still nervous to give IV Reglan 2 years later...it hasn't happened since but it DID freak me out...Of course I've seen lots of EPS stuff now since I work a lot of psych but you just don't EXPECT to see an EPS reaction to Reglan...taught me a lesson, that did...:idea:

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