What Causes Sleeplessness While On Promethazine HCL And Clobetasol?

Posted on Sun, 25 Sep 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sun, 25 Sep 2016 Answered on

Sat, 22 Oct 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I am taking Clobetasol 25% in WSP ointment for a long standing skin condition- psoriasis ? and have recently again been prescribed promethazine HCL tabs. 25mg to help sleep problem.Trouble is I sleep wake and sleep again a total of 9 to 10 hours and further am becoming zombyist with difficulty concentrating on paper work.
My dermatologist is on holiday for another 3 weeks. Please advise me in the interval. Thank you for your help
YYYY@YYYY

Answered by Dr. Asmeet Kaur Sawhney (31 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Tablet zolpidem, tablet Cetrizine

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for being at healthcaremagic
I am Dr Asmeet Kaur Sawhney, a dermatologist.
You are taking promethazine hydrochloride for sleep.
It is a first generation antihistaminic which causes sedation but also causes drowsiness and loss of concentration as a side effect.
If you want to have medicine for sleep problem you should go for tablet zolpidem tartrate 5 mg at bedtime but it is prescription drug and can be taken after seeing the doctor in person.
It will improve your sleep without causing drowsiness and other side effects.
Meanwhile if a prescription drug is difficult for you, you can consider taking tablet Cetrizine 10 mg at bedtime.
It will also help in sleep with less of drowsiness.
Regards
Dr Asm

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Veerisetty Shyamkumar