Two medicines, side by side
Ondansetron vs prochlorperazine
Ondansetron and prochlorperazine are both labeled for nausea and vomiting. Drugs@FDA records approvals of ondansetron since 1991 and of prochlorperazine since 1956. Pharmacies paid $0.0582 per ondansetron HCl 4 mg tablet and $0.162 per prochlorperazine 10 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. In FDA's classes, ondansetron is a serotonin-3 receptor antagonist and prochlorperazine a phenothiazine.
Check it at the source: the ondansetron FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 8, 2026); the prochlorperazine FDA label on DailyMed (effective January 27, 2026).
Highlights of the ondansetron record
Ondansetron (Zofran) · label of January 8, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsOndansetron is indicated for the prevention of nausea and vomiting associated with: • highly emetogenic cancer chemotherapy, including cisplatin greater than or equal to 50 mg/m 2 • initial and repeat courses of moderately emetogenic cancer chemotherapy • radiotherapy in patients receiving either total body irradiation, single high-dose fraction to the abdomen, or daily fractions to the abdomen Ondansetron is also indicated for the prevention of postoperative nausea and/or vomiting. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- January 4, 1991
- Generic labelers
- 77 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0582 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 15
Highlights of the prochlorperazine record
Prochlorperazine (Compro) · label of January 27, 2026
Increased Mortality in Elderly Patients with Dementia-Related Psychosis Elderly patients with dementia-related psychosis treated with antipsychotic drugs are at an increased risk of death. Analyses of seventeen placebo-controlled trials (modal duration of 10 weeks), largely in patients taking atypical antipsychotic drugs, revealed a risk of death in drug-treated patients of between 1.6 to 1.7 times the risk of death in placebo-treated patients.
Used for
From the label: indicationsFor control of severe nausea and vomiting. For the treatment of schizophrenia. Prochlorperazine is effective for the short-term treatment of generalized non-psychotic anxiety. However, prochlorperazine is not the first drug to be used in therapy for most patients with non-psychotic anxiety, because certain risks associated with its use are not shared by common alternative treatments (e.g., benzodiazepines). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- October 23, 1956
- Generic labelers
- 45 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.162 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 3
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Ondansetron label of January 8, 2026, Prochlorperazine label of January 27, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do ondansetron and prochlorperazine differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, ondansetron is a serotonin-3 receptor antagonist and prochlorperazine a phenothiazine.
Only the prochlorperazine label carries a boxed warning.
Generics: ondansetron since 2006; prochlorperazine since 1979 (Drugs@FDA).
| Ondansetron | Prochlorperazine | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Nausea and vomiting | Nausea and vomiting, Schizophrenia, Anxiety |
| Pharmacologic class | Serotonin-3 Receptor Antagonist | Phenothiazine |
| How it works (label) | Ondansetron is a selective 5‑HT 3 receptor antagonist. While its mechanism of action has not been fully characterized, ondansetron is not a dopamine‑receptor antagonist. | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | January 4, 1991 | October 23, 1956 |
| First generic approved | November 22, 2006 | July 5, 1979 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 77 labelers | 45 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0582 per tablet (Ondansetron HCl 4 mg tablet) | $0.162 per tablet (Prochlorperazine 10 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | -14% | -20% |
| Boxed warning | No | Yes |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 15 | 3 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 121,842 | 37,667 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do the labels say about using others of their kind?
Ondansetron label, drug interactionsDRUG INTERACTIONS 7.1 Serotonergic Drugs Serotonin syndrome (including altered mental status, autonomic instability, and neuromuscular symptoms) has been described following the concomitant use of 5-HT 3 receptor antagonists and other serotonergic drugs, including SSRIs and SNRIs.
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA
What next?
- Alternatives to ondansetron
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions