Prochlorperazine (Compazine)

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About Prochlorperazine

What it is

Prochlorperazine is a phenothiazine that blocks dopamine D2 receptors, especially in the brain's vomiting centre. It is used mainly for severe nausea and vomiting, for vertigo and dizziness from inner ear problems, and at higher doses for psychosis. It is sold as Compazine, Stemetil and Buccastem, among other names.

How genes come into it

Prochlorperazine is broken down mainly by CYP2D6 and CYP3A4. The few gene studies on it looked at the dopamine receptor gene DRD2 and the nearby ANKK1 region, and at OPRM1, for how well it relieved nausea, including in people treated for headache in emergency departments. The findings come from a few studies, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and Prochlorperazine. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Rated evidence (2 rated variants)

PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.

ANKK1;DRD2 rs1800497: Level 3. Efficacy: Nausea. 1.

DRD2 rs1079597: Level 3. Efficacy: Nausea. 1.

Response (5 findings)

Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.

ANKK1, DRD2 rs1800497: Genotypes AA + AG are associated with decreased response to prochlorperazine in people with Nausea as compared to genotype GG.

DRD2 rs1079597: Genotypes CT + TT are associated with decreased response to prochlorperazine in people with Nausea as compared to genotype CC.

ANKK1, DRD2 rs1800497: Allele A is not associated with response to prochlorperazine in people with Vomiting as compared to allele G.

DRD2 rs1079597: Allele T is not associated with response to prochlorperazine in people with Vomiting as compared to allele C.

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

Abilify (Antipsychotics)

Antipsychotics (class) (Antipsychotics)

Bromperidol (Antipsychotics)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

Back to Medications

Content updated September 2026.

ReadYourDNA provides educational interpretation of DNA data you already have. It is not diagnostic, not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Talk to a clinician before acting on any result.

Raw DNA Data Reports for 23andMe & AncestryDNA · About ReadYourDNA · FAQ · Methodology & Science · Pricing · Support and complaints · Legal & Contact · Health Traits · Pharmacogenomics · Carrier Status · Variant Explorer · The Human Karyotype · Privacy Policy · Terms of Service · Accessibility · Consumer Health Data Privacy · Your Privacy Choices · Editorial Standards · Your Data, Checkable · Sample Report · ReadYourDNA and Promethease compared · What is inside a 23andMe raw data file · What is inside an AncestryDNA raw data file · What a chatbot can and cannot do with your raw DNA file · Where a raw DNA file can still be uploaded in 2026

Written, maintained and operated by Martin Pechhacker, sole proprietor, Vienna, Austria. Trade register GISA 40064420. support@readyourdna.com