Skip to main content

Promethazine for Sedation User Reviews (Page 2)

Brand names: Promethegan, Phenadoz, Antinaus 50, Anergan 50 Adgan

Promethazine has an average rating of 5.9 out of 10 from a total of 118 reviews for the treatment of Sedation. 47% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 33% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Promethazine

  • Marts
  • February 8, 2021

"Experience on promethazine 25mg: slept undisturbed for a good 10 hours, found it super difficult to wake up, had to battle with my body to open my eyes and all I wanted to do was carry on sleeping. Kept on falling back asleep and waking up. Felt sedated and tired all day afterwards. Experience on 12.5mg (approx) splitting the pill in half: Slept for a long time, but still had negative side effects when waking up, I was very angry at my partner who tired to wake me up as I just wanted to carry on sleeping. Felt tired during the day also, but not as bad. I find that my optimal dose is about 1/3 of the tablet - it helps me sleep and the side effects of tiredness aren’t as bad in the morning. I do still experience agitation when woken up by someone else and would rather carry on sleeping but it isn’t as severe and usually after 20 mins or so I’m fully awake. The sedation/tiredness feeling during the day isn’t as prominent."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
30 Report
  • Equal...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 22, 2020

"I was prescribed promethazine for insomnia due to tinnitus. I took 25mg doses before bed when needed. Within about 30 minutes, I felt exceptionally drowsy and in a very relaxed state. Any anxiety I was experiencing was gone. I slept solidly for about 10 hours and then would wake up feeling pretty drowsy. I also cautiously took it when I had a chest infection and an asthma flare up. I got a great night's sleep and woke up feeling far less wheezy and with far less sputum. After six weeks of taking it nightly, it took a bit longer to make me sleepy and I woke up after less time. Then, suddenly, I found that taking the promethazine gave me extreme bouts of sleep apnoea. I repeatedly woke chocking and breathless. I immediately stopped taking the promethazine. I am now two days into withdrawal, waking up in the middle of the night feeling sweaty and finding it hard to go back to sleep. Overall, the drug really helped me but the apnoea and the withdrawal I had was a bit unpleasant."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
33 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 20, 2016

"I've always suffered with bad sleeping patterns and anxiety around stressful times such as exams or when I have a lot of deadlines, taking two of these (25mg each) knocks me out and means I don't have the bad anxiety dreams (that used to stop me from thinking straight) and now I get everything sorted the next day."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
53 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • scg
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 12, 2021

Phenergan (promethazine) "I don't know if I class myself as an insomniac but I usually wake up a load of times in the night which disturbs my sleep and makes me tired in the day so I decided to try Phenergan. This medication should really be taken just before you go to bed, I wouldn't recommend taking it while you're watching TV or anything because in my experience, you have to be trying to fall asleep for this to work. Even then, it's a horrible drug. 25mg is too little and I still wake up in the night a lot, 50mg is way too much and I'm pretty sure my throat closed up for a second in the middle of the night because I woke up gagging and I don't suffer from sleep apnoea so that was weird. Either way, any dosage of this stuff causes terrible daytime drowsiness the next day, I'm not sure if that's down to the half life of the medication or whether it is purely because it gives you really poor quality sleep."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
23 Report
  • macca
  • March 9, 2020

Phenergan (promethazine) "Phenergan is the best sedation I have seen... I find over 12.5 mg knocks me for " six ". Most of these medications are best when used sparingly , when needed. Taking sedation every night tells me a powerful anti psychotic may be a more suitable option."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
29 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Sleep...
  • April 4, 2020

"I have used Phenergan on and off for a few years for insomnia. They work extremely well. I take just 12 mg and that gives me six hours. If I take 1 25mg I am sleepy all morning and not terribly motivated to do much. However the down side is they make me terribly hungry. I am basically good at controlling my weight and appetite but on these l lose that control and seem to snack all day."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
26 Report
  • Scott...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 28, 2018

"Used this for the last 4/5 weeks. I tried this as it was a solution that I could get over the counter. I take 1 x 25mg per night (packaging says you can take up to 2 x 25mg) and I don’t have any side effects. Sleep deep, hear my alarm and I feel fine the next day. I have had other over the counter sleeping tablets and this is far best! HIGHLY RECOMMEND!!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
32 Report
  • chezd...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • March 13, 2016

"Great stuff. Best way to beat restless sleep patterns. Not up and down like a yoyo when I take. One. Use 1 25mg. Get sick of the silly questions at the pharmacy. Don't take it every night about 3 times a week."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
42 Report
  • Kano
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 8, 2018

Phenergan (promethazine) "I have restarted taking 3 months ago, after coming off amitriptyline cold turkey. These are more suited as you can take most cold and flu medication without issues, which was always a issue. The tablets take effect quickly (1.5 hours) first started on 50mg per night now down to 30mg due to tablets now making me more sleepy during the day time than before. I would recommend these to any anxiety or insomnia suffer as they do not have neuro side effects like other sleepers."

6 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
33 Report
  • KAnn
  • January 18, 2017

"I suffer with depression and PTSD. My Psychiatrist didn't want to prescribe Zopiclone as he said it's addictive but told me to try Promethazaine as said it's not addictive and I can take it every night. I found it to be very effective. I do feel quite tired in the morning but that's a small price to pay for continuous sleep. It hasn't stopped the nightmares but I'm getting to sleep quicker and staying asleep longer - definitely worth trying!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
38 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 26, 2015

"I'm an 18 year old female and was prescribed this drug by my doctor as I have trouble sleeping. Now I sleep great but have trouble waking up in the morning and feel tired and light headed for the rest of the day. Not sure if this is normal or not for this medication"

6 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
42 Report
  • MElle
  • July 9, 2016

"I've recently tapered off Zolpidem after 28 years of use and decided to try Phenergan 25mg as a 'substitute'. The first two nights I woke up regularly and had vivid weird dreams. The third night it knocked me out cold. I slept like a rock, however I felt like a zombie the next day. Although Zolpidem felt more natural and I was more refreshed the next day, I'm happy to be off sleeping tablets and will use Phenergan for a while until I can let go of that as well. I could never sleep late/in, but with Phenergan I can easily sleep past 10am. No other side effects experienced except drowsiness and vivid dreams and maybe muscle spasms. Great over the counter med for sedation."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
39 Report
  • djeban
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • January 27, 2015

"I suffer from nightmares. At my doctor's suggestion I have been taking one Phenergan at night for many years. They calm my sleep and I have hardly any nightmares now. I tried sleeping pills first but they made me feel as if I was in living in cotton wool through the day. I also tried Nytol but they made me hyper and unable to sleep! If I forget to take a tablet I will have nightmares that night. Have not had any side effects at all. Tablets available over the counter at the chemist."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
44 Report
  • Sleep...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 27, 2019

"I’ve taken Benzo’s on and off short term for insomnia I ended up with suspected withdrawals. My life was awfuland I felt I was going to die. Lost my job, couldn’t sleep and the Dr wouldn’t give me anymore benzos - thank goodness I remembered phenergan! It can take a few hours to kick in but I took 50mg and had a 10 hours sleep. I still wake a bit but am able to get back to sleep. Been taking for 14 days now and want to stop because it makes me drowsy next day and I’ve gained weight because it just makes me so tired which I chose over the insomnia but hopefully I will be able to reduce the dose and then stop taking it and sleep without it soon. I read someone wrote to take with Ashwagandha herbs so I’m gonna try find those tomorrow. Phenergan is a great though. If you have severe insomnia then everything gets harder and this OTC just really helps you get some sleep so you can keep going. I’m very grateful."

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
27 Report
  • Artyc...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • November 15, 2014

"I found this little gem a few years ago. Whilst in my late forties I had a blocked nose I spent a fortune on remedies and although this sounds insignificant it became a constant annoyance as symptoms were so awful it caused nose bleeds, cold sores in my nose, sleepless nights etc. Eventually I went to the doctor who informed me it was a allergy. Beconase nasal spray and a antihistamine tablet. This I used daily as my allergy didn't subside with the changing seasons, it held it back on a good month although I never had a restful sleep. Then I found Phenergen and since I started taking it just before bedtime all of my symptoms have gone! The down side is I find it challenging to buy!"

10 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
41 Report
  • Harry
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • February 22, 2019

"I have pretty unrelenting severe insomnia, I can be awake for a few days at a time, which doctors don't know the reason why. Over the last couple of years since it began I have taken a variety of meds for it. For me Phenergan (Promethazine) works well but I have to take 75mg which is the max recommended dose . I usually then get about 6-8 hours uninterrupted sleep. The only downside is I feel groggy half of the next day but it's a small price to pay for getting sleep."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
26 Report
  • Tano
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • August 28, 2019

"Doctor put me on this promethazine 25mg 4 times a day for anxiety and to help sleep. I've been on now for about 2 months . Can’t say it’s worked but I have gained so much weight which don’t help when suffering with depression as it’s depressing me more. Wouldn’t advise as can’t see how it helps unless you wanna gain weight."

1 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
23 Report
  • Kkkkkw
  • August 4, 2018

"Great sleeping tablet if you are suffering from anxiety and cannot sleep at night. I am using due to using anti depressant that are causing me insomnia but highly recommend this if you need a decent nights sleep."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
26 Report
  • Nk25
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 26, 2020

"They work great for me to get me to sleep. Drowsy within half an hour and asleep within an hour. Can’t take them everyday though as the grogginess and lethargy the next day is extreme. I’m so drowsy, feel weak and have a really dry mouth from them. I use them to treat insomnia that my depression meds cause."

7 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
20 Report
  • Anony...
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • March 24, 2021

Phenergan (promethazine) "I have been taking these for almost 5 years what started as 1 x 10mg then turned into a huge dose. I have now dropped down to 3 x 10mg a night and have decided it’s time to go completely cold off them. I started taking these to sleep easier, as due to anxiety it was hard to fall asleep. I have made the decision to come off them as I was getting intense nightmares which made me afraid to fall asleep, my body was bruising extremely easily and my platelets were beginning to drop. Just be careful if you have an addictive personality"

6 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
16 Report
  • Gareth
  • December 11, 2017

"I have been taking phenergan for insomnia and find it works great, I have had trouble sleeping most nights for a few months mostly due to being wired up at bedtime I have random thoughts running through my mind when I lie down which stops me sleeping and then I get anxious about not sleeping which then prolongs the time taken to fall asleep but Phenergan seems to calm my mind because of it's sedative properties. I take a 25-50mg doseage and 30 to 45 mins later I begin to relax and feel drowsy enough to fall asleep, I get a good 6 or 7 hours sleep on them, overall these tablets work for me. Only side effects have been dry mouth and groggy in the morning but those are better than getting no sleep at all."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
27 Report
  • Insom...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • September 24, 2019

"Works totally like a light out. BUT I take prescription full dose... not OTC dose. Really hard to wake the next day. Have slept through the fire alarm. And yes I have extremely severe, hospitalised (at the time) sleep problems. Whilst it works, I hate the daytime grogginess. I still run twice a day etc, but the general ‘sleepiness’ annoys me."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
21 Report
  • Scrach
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • March 4, 2015

"I started taking phenergen to assist with ongoing bad allergies (to dust mite and pollen) and found it very effective for this as well as guaranteeing me a good night sleep. I only take a 10mg dose about 1 hour before bed and no later than 8pm if I want to wake early for exercise before work. I find if I take it any later I am lethargic at 0530 and take a bit to get going. I have also used the syrup for my young boys as a rare sleep aid. Both my husband (who was prescribed it when he had an allergic reaction to penicillin) and eldest 5 yo are affected by this antihistamine/sleep aid. It makes them groggy and crabby the next day. My youngest (3yo) and I have only positive effects from it."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
33 Report
  • EC94
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 15, 2023

Phenergan (promethazine) "After experiencing a severe onset of anxiety, I developed insomnia and couldn't sleep for over three weeks, remaining awake throughout the night. Additionally, I woke up with nausea and vomited for some days. I was prescribed 25mg to take before bed to help with sleep and nausea. The first time I took it, I slept for 12 hours! I felt drowsy the next morning but also refreshed and didn't wake up with nausea. The second time I took it, I slept for 8 hours and was still a little drowsy. Taking 25mg before bed definitely helps sedate me and improves my sleep throughout the night."

9 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
7 Report
  • Marts
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 7, 2020

"I started taking this a while back to help me sleep. It works in a funny way, doesn’t help me fall asleep, but once I’m asleep - it’s hard to wake up. I take half of a 25mg pill most times, if I take the full pill, I feel quite drowsy and extremely tired the next day. Maybe it’s cause I’m quite small though. Could quite literally sleep through the day. It surely does work though."

8 / 10
Was this helpful?YesNo
16 Report

Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

Learn more about Sedation

Medicine.com guides (external)