Promethazine🔊

What is Promethazine for?

Promethazine is a sedating (first generation) antihistamine. It has a wide range of uses including treating allergic conditions, inducing sedation, as short-term management of insomnia, treating nausea and vomiting, and preventing and treating motion sickness. Antihistamines can also be used to manage the symptoms of the common cold such as runny nose and sneezing. Promethazine relieves symptoms of itching, runny nose, watery eyes and sneezing.

In Hong Kong, it is frequently found in combination products used for treating cough and cold.

How to use it?

The oral doses for different age groups and uses are listed below: 

For allergic conditions

Adult

As Promethazine HCl: 25 mg at night, increase if necessary to 25 mg twice daily OR 10-20 mg 2-3 times daily 

Child 2-5 years 

As Promethazine HCl: 5-15 mg daily in 1-2 divided doses. 

Child 5-10 years

As Promethazine HCl: 10-25 mg daily in 1-2 divided doses. 

For short-term management of insomnia

Adult

As Promethazine HCl: 20-50 mg at night.

For nausea and vomiting

Adult

As Promethazine teoclate: 25 mg at night, may increase the dose to 50-75 mg at night or to 25 mg 2-3 times daily if necessary up to a maximum of 100 mg daily 

For prevention of motion sickness

Adult

As Promethazine HCl: 20 or 25 mg the night before travelling and repeat in the next morning if necessary. 

As Promethazine teoclate: 25 mg at night or 1-2 hour before travelling.

Child 2-5 years

As Promethazine HCl: 5 mg the night before the journey and repeat in the next morning (after 6-8 hours) if necessary. 

Child 5-10 years

As Promethazine HCl: 10 mg the night before the journey and repeat in the next morning (after 6-8 hours) if necessary. 

As Promethazine teoclate: 12.5 mg the night or 1-2 hour before travelling.

What are the side effects of Promethazine?

Common side effects of Promethazine include dizziness and drowsiness, constipation, blurred vision, and dry mouth. Avoid driving and operating machinery until you know how you respond to Promethazine.

Where to buy Promethazine in Hong Kong?

In Hong Kong, Promethazine is an over-the-counter medicine. It can be purchased without a prescription from medicine shops and pharmacies. It can also be obtained from doctors. To find a pharmacy near you, refer to the list of pharmacies (“Authorized Sellers of Poisons”) from the Hong Kong Department of Health.