Drugs containing Promethazine: Phenergan, Promethazine DM, Promethazine VC with Codeine, Promethazine with Dextromethorphan, Promethegan, Phenergan with Dextromethorphan, Meprozine, Promethazine with DM, Phenergan VC, Promethazine VC, Show all 25 »Promethazine VC Plain, Phenergan VC with Codeine, Mepergan, Antinaus 50, M-Phen, Mepergan Fortis, Anergan 50, Adgan, Phenazine 50, Phenergan Fortis, Phenadoz, V-Gan-50, V-Gan-25, Phenoject-50, Pro-Med
Promethazine Levels and Effects while Breastfeeding
Summary of Use during Lactation
Based on minimal excretion of other phenothiazine derivatives, it appears that occasional short-term use of promethazine for the treatment of nausea and vomiting poses little risk to the breastfed infant. With repeated doses, observe infants for excess sedation. Because promethazine can lower basal prolactin secretion, promethazine might interfere with the establishment of lactation if given during labor before lactation is well established or with a sympathomimetic such as pseudoephedrine. An antiemetic without potent histamine blocking action is preferred in nursing mothers.
Drug Levels
Maternal Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Infant Levels. Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects in Breastfed Infants
Relevant published information was not found as of the revision date.
Effects on Lactation and Breastmilk
Unlike most phenothiazines, promethazine usually causes a reduction in basal prolactin secretion in nonnursing women.[1,2] In one small study, women given promethazine with meperidine and secobarbital during labor, had the time to lactogenesis II prolonged by 14 hours. Women given meperidine or secobarbital without promethazine had lactogenesis II prolonged 7 hours compared to unmedicated women, but the difference was not statistically significant.[3] The effect of postpartum promethazine is not known, but it might interfere with the establishment of lactation if given in the early postpartum period.
Messinis IE, Souvatzoglou A, Fais N, et al. Histamine H1 receptor participation in the control of prolactin secretion in postpartum. J Endocrinol Invest. 1985;8:143–6. [PubMed: 3928731]
2.
Pontiroli AE, De Castro e Silva E, Mazzoleni F, et al. The effect of histamine and H1 and H2 receptors on prolactin and luteinizing hormone release in humans: Sex differences and the role of stress. J Clin Endocrinol Metab. 1981;52:924–8. [PubMed: 7228996]
3.
Hildebrandt HM. Maternal perception of lactogenesis time: A clinical report. J Hum Lact. 1999;15:317–23. [PubMed: 10776182]
Substance Identification
Substance Name
Promethazine
CAS Registry Number
60-87-7
Drug Class
Breast Feeding
Lactation
Antiemetics
Phenothiazines
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