Promethazine and Nausea: What Users Say

• Rob...
• September 14, 2013

Promethazine for Nausea/Vomiting "I'm going through chemo (Taxol and Carboplatin) for ovarian cancer, and Phenergan is great. I sometimes also take Zofran with it because they affect two totally different receptors, causing the nausea, and both together usually stop the ever-present nausea."

• Anonymous
• November 4, 2015

Promethazine for Nausea/Vomiting "I was diagnosed with H. pylori, and I was throwing up and nauseated every day for an entire month. Finally, I was hospitalized, and they gave me Phenergan, and God bless the person who created this drug. Even now, when I feel the slightest bit of nausea, I take it, and it knocks me out, and I wake up feeling great."

• iro...
• September 2, 2015

For Sedation "I am a 53-year-old male. I hurt my leg during an accident cliff jumping in the lake, causing severe leg damage. The doctor gave me promethazine for nausea, but I found that it really helps me sleep during pain episodes from the operation. I have been taking 25 milligrams before sleeping. It's like placing a warm blanket over you, reducing anxiety and coping with pain, allowing sleep."

• Anonymous
• August 31, 2011

Promethazine for Light Sedation "This is my magic pill. I suffer from vertigo, chronic spinal pain, sleeplessness, mild depression because of the spinal pain, and usually I get sick to my stomach with even one aspirin. I take 1/2 of one pill of this every night before bed and sleep like a baby and awake feeling rested, happy, and nausea-free. I hope the vertigo is gone too but haven't taken this long enough to know about that. I take small doses of everything because I feel the effects of any medicine very strongly. WHY hasn't a doctor offered this to me before?"

• Woo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 21, 2019

Promethazine for Nausea/Vomiting "Had an outpatient procedure and put into a 'twilight sedation,' with additional pain meds through the IV, although I can’t recall what that was. The pain meds caused me terrible nausea and dizziness. I was given a dose of Zofran and a motion sickness patch before surgery to try and prevent this, as I get nauseous from pain meds so easily... that didn’t work. I was given 12.5 mg of Phenergan, and 15 minutes later, symptoms had improved greatly. I was able to get dressed and start on my way home, although the nausea was still present somewhat due to the motion of the car ride home. Hit the bed and slept like a rock for four hours, felt sleepy the rest of the evening. Blood pressure did go up some as well, 132/88. Took my usual beta blocker at bedtime that helped my BP come down."

• suz...
• June 10, 2021

Promethazine for Nausea/Vomiting "I was given Phenergan in the hospital when Zofran wasn’t doing enough for my nausea due to food poisoning. They put a large amount into my IV, and a few minutes later, I realized I couldn’t tell if I was dreaming or awake. I kept staring at my husband, wondering if he was really there or not (he was). It was the most frightening medical experience I have ever had. I just kept my mouth shut and didn’t tell anyone what was happening to me because I didn’t want to be given any more medicine. It did get rid of my nausea, though, but not even close to being worth it... so terribly frightening."

• EC9...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 15, 2023

Promethazine for Sedation "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 25 mg 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 25 mg before bed definitely helps sedate me and improves my sleep throughout the night."

• Tif...
• January 18, 2013

For Nausea/Vomiting "I suffer from severe anxiety, irritable bowel syndrome, and acid reflux disease. I have inflamed intestines quite often, which causes me to feel nauseous and on the verge of vomiting a few times a week. I got this medicine through an IV when I went into the hospital for severe stomach pains and was highly nauseous. It worked so well and relaxed me, I fell asleep for a few hours. They gave me a bottle and told me to use it as needed. Now, when I have that feeling coming on, I'll pop one of those and relax and sleep it off. Always wake up feeling much better!"

• Yat...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• February 8, 2019

For Sedation "Being an insomniac on and off (maybe once or twice a week as needed) for as long as I can remember, I find the only thing that really helps is promethazine. It doesn't make me feel nauseous the next day like a lot of other sleeping tablets, both OTC and script. It can take a few hours to work, so I need to take it at least a couple of hours before I want to go to sleep. There is one negative - nightmares. I haven't heard from many other people who have experienced the same thing, but let me tell you, they can be horrendous - the worst kind of terror you can imagine. The weird thing is, sometimes I get them, sometimes I don't! And the half-life is 12-16 hours or something, so you can be quite fatigued the next day. Overall though, in spite of all it, it's a winner for me."

• Met...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 8, 2015

For Nausea/Vomiting "Promethazine is a godsend to me. I'm on many other medications, which get me sick every morning, feeling nausea/vomiting, dizziness, etc. Promethazine takes all that away from me, and I love it! I really recommend this drug for people who get morning sickness or are RX'd a strong narcotic (Oxycodone, Morphine, Methadone, etc.), it helps and takes away the bad side effects of the narcotic. It's RX'd as an opiate adjunct. Works wonders."

• n8x...
• April 10, 2013

Promethazine for Nausea/Vomiting "Woke up with dizziness and terrible nausea. After 5 hours of dry heaving, went to doctor. One injection and nausea gone almost immediately. Slept for 3 hours, then ate dry bagel, chicken soup without any problems. Next day, eating normally but feel tired and a little 'under the weather'."

• Doc...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 21, 2016

For Light Sedation "I have been taking Promethazine 25 mg tablets as needed for nausea for about 5 years. 1 pill would completely take away my nausea, even if I had the flu. However, the first time taking 1 pill knocked me out. You can build up a tolerance fairly quickly if you take them daily. I also have taken 1 to 2 pills to sleep through the night if I'm off work the next day because they make me groggy for a few hours the next morning. They don't make me feel 'out of it' like Xanax, and I have never developed any type of addiction to them either."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "I was prescribed this for morning sickness. It certainly did relieve the nausea, but it knocked me out for six to eight hours shortly after taking it. I tried taking it before bed instead of during the day and slept really well, but still felt really groggy in the morning and kept falling back to sleep. In the end, I moved to another med so I didn't feel so drowsy."

• Ver...
• June 10, 2016

For Vertigo "I take this medication with another pill for my Ménière's disease. Once my vertigo is in play, I get severely nauseated and vomit. With this drug, once an attack comes on, I take it immediately. It not only calms me down but makes the nausea go away almost completely, it's a godsend."

• Chi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2017

For Nausea/Vomiting "Promethazine is a lifesaver. I'm 26 years old and was diagnosed with acute renal failure 8 months ago. My main symptom was extreme nausea and vomiting. I've had to take a plastic bag with me every time I left the house and was in the ER about 7 times since the diagnosis for dehydration. The doctors gave me 3 medications (including Zofran, which I took and was no match for the vomiting). Things were looking pretty grim, my psychological and physical health was going downhill until I was prescribed promethazine. I took it for 2 days, and bam, all the vomiting and nauseousness was gone. I stopped taking it and felt fine. It's now 3 months later, and the vomiting is back, I know just what I'll be taking now."

• Anonymous
• August 25, 2010

Promethazine for Nausea/Vomiting "I suffered from Cyclic Vomiting Syndrome; similar to an abdominal migraine. The gastroenterologist prescribed Phenergan suppositories as a prophylaxis. It prevented the onset of the nausea and vomiting. Just knowing it is in my refrigerator should I need it has stopped the cycle."

• Cow...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 15, 2016

For Nausea/Vomiting "I have been taking Phenergan for relief of nausea for years. When I used to suffer from chronic migraine headaches, Phenergan would not only help with the nausea but also help me sleep and help with the pain. Several years ago, I was in the hospital for a bad post-op bone infection (from a compound fracture), and I had awful nausea, and the current drugs of choice couldn't control it like Phenergan."

• Ell...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 25, 2019

For Opiate Adjunct "Surprised that this is recommended as a sleeping aid, I take it in conjunction with opiate painkillers to reduce itchiness and nausea, and it works wonders on that end, but even combined with the drowsiness of opiates, it still wouldn't be something that puts me to sleep."

• Nit...
• December 17, 2016

For Nausea/Vomiting "Started taking promethazine at 25 mg 3x daily years ago, then to 4x daily for severe nausea and vomiting from treatments for cancer and couldn't keep food down at all. I was also on strong pain meds before & higher with cancer, oxycodone 30 mg 4x day & morphine 30 mg ER twice daily for having 18 fractured vertebrae (8 herniated, 9 bulging, had 1 ruptured disc repaired), a separate AC joint in the right shoulder, and other broken bones, and leftover bullet & shrapnel fragments in both legs & right foot due to 17 years in the US Army, 3 combat tours. I found that the promethazine didn't always work as well as it should have. At times, I did go over and take a couple more of them per day than what was prescribed. Didn't notice if it helped with pain meds. On them again, cancer returned."

• jek...
• April 23, 2012

For Nausea/Vomiting "I am a male, 50 years old, and suffer from anxiety and depression. Out of the blue, I started experiencing severe nausea on a daily basis about 4 weeks ago. No matter what I tried or did, it hardly let up. It made me miserable, and due to the nausea and lack of appetite, I ended up losing about 10 pounds, and I am slim already, so it greatly distressed me. I went to the ER twice, in early April and just recently. On the first trip, they found an infection, treated it, but the nausea still continued afterward. On my second trip, they found NOTHING wrong with me and said I was probably creating it somehow with my mind. They put me on the Promethazine, and for two days now, no nausea."

• Tru...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 13, 2022

For Nausea/Vomiting "Worst experience ever, it gave me insomnia and severe stomach cramps and nausea followed by depression/confusion and scary delusional thoughts. Mood swings, can't breathe while sleeping, mini nightmares, still waking up after a few hours of sleep and struggle to go back. Luckily, my mind is returning to normal, and I have less brain fog now, this pill made me think like I had dementia. Forgot who my family was for a few minutes as well."

• Tob...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 3, 2019

For Nausea/Vomiting "Was given this in college when I was in the ER with dehydration from a stomach bug. Eased the nausea and knocked me out—a bonus, as I didn’t really want to be awake while I felt so sick. It worked well for me as needed for nausea for several years, but about 5 or 6 years ago, it suddenly stopped working. I’d be heaving my guts out and falling asleep on the bathroom floor at the same time. I take Zofran for nausea now. I still keep the promethazine around for the sedative properties, though. I just take it for a couple of nights every once in a while to get my sleep patterns back in order."

• Zom...
• May 27, 2009

Promethazine for Nausea/Vomiting "In preparation for a colonoscopy, I was given this medicine in case I became nauseated. I took 1 tablet as I was feeling a bit nauseous after taking the 'cleansing' drug prescribed by my doctor, and within 15 minutes, the nausea subsided. Then I fell asleep for several hours. Does what it is supposed to."

• vre...
• May 28, 2010

Promethazine for Nausea/Vomiting "I just had a bilateral mastectomy due to breast cancer a month ago and will never forget the huge injection of Phenergan the nurse plunged into my I.V. when I came out of the anesthesia and said, 'I'm going to throw up!' It halted my nausea IMMEDIATELY - wish I'd known about this stuff years ago! It would have saved me after a few of my surgeries. Now, they've put me on Tamoxifen, which is making me incredibly nauseated. When my doctor's office called me the other day to let me know they had called in an anti-nausea medicine for me at the pharmacy, I was overjoyed to find out it was Phenergan. Sure enough, it's working great. Last night I had my first enjoyable evening without nausea since starting the Tamoxifen."

• Stu...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 20, 2017

For Sedation "I was given this stuff when in labor as I had felt nauseated. I think they put it right into my IV. I vomited anyway, but suddenly didn't care much about it. It relaxed me so much that I fell asleep off and on between labor. Since I also have PTSD along with severe insomnia, I wouldn't mind trying it for sleep. It can't be worse than Ambien, where I usually don't know that I ransacked the kitchen and pillaged everything that I could stuff into my mouth. When I wake up in the morning, I find the kitchen in mysterious disorder but have no memory of eating anything, or even getting up. At least with Phenergan I wouldn't have to worry about it."