What Is Promethazine Prescribed For?

Posted on Wed, 7 Dec 2016

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

Wed, 7 Dec 2016 Answered on

Wed, 28 Dec 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : What is promethazinecodn?
I understand that promethazinecodn is a cough medicine, however I am hoping taking a teaspoon of this now (it has been refrigerated) might help with the pain tonight and allow me to sleep until I consult my orthopedic surgeon tomorrow.

Answered by Dr. Vaddadi Suresh (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
dose of these available in cough syrups are low

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
welcome to HCM. Let me help you,
Promethazine is used as perioperative drug for many complaints like vomiting, allergies etc. Codeine on the other hand is an opiate. It has got pain killing action as well as cough supressive action.
But the dose of these drugs available in cough syrups are low, so as to block pain. Hence you may not get significant pain relief; However, as codeine sensitivity varies from person to person, and it has sleep inducing action, you might get good sleep , surpassing the pain. so, there is nothing wrong in taking a spoon or two of this combination.
Hope this clarifies.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Nagamani Ng