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What Does Promethazine Treat?
Promethazine hydrochloride (Phenergan®) is approved for many different uses. It is most commonly used as a nausea medication, but promethazine can also treat motion sickness and various types of allergies, including seasonal allergies, allergic conjunctivitis, and anaphylactic allergic reactions. In addition, the medication can be used as a sedative:
- Before or after surgery
- During labor
- In situations when mild anxiety relief and light sleep is desired.
On occasion, healthcare providers may recommend this medication for "off-label" uses. For example, using promethazine to treat morning sickness, coughing, or nausea and vomiting related to gastrointestinal illness (such as the "stomach flu") would be considered off-label uses.
(Click What Is Promethazine Used For? for more information on conditions this drug can treat, to find out if it is suitable for children, and for details on how promethazine works for various conditions.)

Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD