Conclusion: We found high-certainty evidence that five single drugs (aprepitant, ramosetron, granisetron, dexamethasone, and ondansetron) reduce vomiting, and moderate-certainty evidence that two other single drugs (fosaprepitant and droperidol) probably reduce vomiting, compared to placebo. Four of the six substance classes (5-HT₃ receptor antagonists, D₂ receptor antagonists, NK₁ receptor antagonists, and corticosteroids) were thus represented by at least one drug with important benefit for prevention of vomiting. Combinations of drugs were generally more effective than the corresponding single drugs in
PubMed 33075160 ↗Promethazine
The short answer. There isn't much data on Promethazine yet — 6 mentions, 3 with a clear outcome — so treat these numbers as anecdotal. It is well studied — 51 meta-analyses on PubMed. The most common complaint is drowsiness.
From 6 mentions in total — the rest didn't say how it went and aren't counted.
What Promethazine does, according to users
Of the people who reported each effect, the share who said it got better.
What the research says
Systematic reviews and meta-analyses from PubMed, with their published conclusions.
3+ meta-analyses or systematic reviews and 10+ randomized controlled trials in humans. The grade measures how much human research exists — read the conclusions below for what it found.
Conclusion: This umbrella review offers a comprehensive overview of the pharmacological management of psychomotor agitation in patients with psychiatric disorders. Among the most frequently used medications in the reviewed studies were haloperidol, olanzapine, and lorazepam. The findings underscore the importance of tailored treatment approaches and the need for further research to refine the management of psychomotor agitation in psychiatric settings.
PubMed 40133850 ↗Conclusion: Within a minimally contextualized framework, as single agents, intravenous tropisetron and intravenous prochlorperazine are definitely among the most effective, intravenous metoclopramide and intravenous droperidol are possibly among the most effective, and oral ondansetron is definitely among the least effective; considering certain adverse reactions, intravenous metoclopramide, intravenous droperidol, and intravenous promethazine are definitely among the most harmful.
PubMed 40772912 ↗Conclusion: For mild symptoms of nausea and emesis of pregnancy, ginger, pyridoxine, antihistamines, and metoclopramide were associated with greater benefit than placebo. For moderate symptoms, pyridoxine-doxylamine, promethazine, and metoclopramide were associated with greater benefit than placebo. Ondansetron was associated with improvement for a range of symptom severity. Corticosteroids may be associated with benefit in severe cases. Overall the quality of evidence was low.
PubMed 27701665 ↗Dosage people report
Reported side effects
How often each side effect came up across all reports.
What users say
First-hand experiences, quoted verbatim. We show one positive and one negative where both exist.
“I am prescribe promethazine, I sleep when I take that however it does not work if I take it every day.”
“It really does help with falling asleep, but I never wake up feeling refreshed afterwards.”
Other options for sleep
User data from public discussions; research from PubMed. Information only, not medical advice — talk to a doctor before starting, stopping or combining anything. Data updated October 3, 2026. How we rate