Prochlorperazine (PCZ)

Prochlorperazine is a dopamine (D2) receptor antagonist that belongs to the phenothiazine class of antipsychotic agents that are used for the antiemetic treatment of nausea and vertigo. It is also a highly potent typical antipsychotic, 10-20x more potent than chlorpromazine. It is also used to treat migraine headaches. Intravenous administration can be used to treat status migrainosus. Prochlorperazine is a phenothiazine drug. Most drugs in this category are used as anti-psychotics (neuroleptics). Neuroleptic means "nerve seizing," and describes the semi-paralyzing effect these drugs have on the brain and nervous system. Prochlorpherazine (2-chloro-10-[3-(4-methyl-1-piperazinyl) propyl]-phenothiazine) is prepared by the alkylation of 2-chlorophenothiazine using 4-methyl-1-piperazinyl)propyl-3-chloride in the presence of sodamide, or alkylation of 2-chloro-10-[(3-chloropropyl)]phenothiazine using 1-methylpiperazine.