What Is Promethazine Used For?

Nausea and vomiting, motion sickness, and various types of allergies can be relieved with promethazine. Uses for the drug also include causing sedation before or after surgery and during labor. Occasionally, healthcare providers may recommend promethazine for off-label purposes, such as for the treatment of morning sickness, coughing, or nausea and vomiting related to gastrointestinal illness.

An Introduction to Uses for Promethazine

 Promethazine hydrochloride (Phenergan®) is a prescription medication licensed for a wide variety of different purposes. These promethazine uses include:
 
  • Treating the following conditions:
 
    • Perennial (year-round) or seasonal allergies
    • Nonallergic nasal symptoms due to irritants
    • "Allergy eyes" (allergic conjunctivitis)
    • Hives
    • Allergic reactions to blood or plasma transfusions
    • Severe, anaphylactic allergic reactions (when used with other medications)
 
  • Treating or preventing nausea and vomiting related to surgery and general anesthesia (see Phenergan for Nausea)
  • Treating or preventing motion sickness
  • Causing sedation in the following situations:
 
    • Before or after surgery
    • During labor
    • In situations when mild anxiety relief and light sleep is desired.
 
Promethazine is also approved to be used in combination with pain relievers for post-surgical pain.
 
It should be noted that this article applies only to products that contain just promethazine as the active ingredient. Some promethazine cough syrups (such as Phenergan with Codeine) contain other active ingredients as well.
 
What Is Promethazine Used For? Article Continues on Next Page >
Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD
 
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