Phenergan/promethazine

ninambutler

Anyone prescribed anything for nausea? My doctor prescribed me promethazine, a generic for phenergan, and it had worked wonders, but the past week I have been cripplingly ill again. I can't move without vomiting! Anyone know of any remedies or medications that work better than promethazine? 

Sarai28

Did you already try Zofran first?  I don't know what the difference is, but I know it helps a lot of women. Sorry you're so sick!

ninambutler

Nope my doctor didn't have me try Zofran. May ask her about it.

Sarai28

I know when I called my doc, they said that Zofran is usually what they start with.  Maybe it's not as strong?  It's worth a shot to see what they say.  Feel better!

lynn3yb00

My dr. gave me reglan. It worked great other than giving me migranes.

I know that you can take ginger pills and B6 pills OTC (vitamin section) and they are helpful to many women.

Boysenberry

Reglan and Phenergan are notorious for causing headaches for a lot of women. Phenergan worked well for me against the nausea but I did suffer headaches and ear pressure. My doctor told me that Zofran is excellent for taking away nausea, and it's anti-emetic so it prevents vomiting even if you do get an upset stomach. Also, Zofran does not lead to headaches. I think it's a general consensus that Zofran is the best choice. I did not get the prescription, I've just been coping with Seabands and relaxation.

I hope you get some relief soon!

ninambutler

Great to know! I have been having terrible migraines but assumed it was from working long days and being tired since they usually came on in the evenings. Didn't even think maybe it was the medicine! I will definitely call my doctor Monday and see if I can try Zofran. I thought maybe it was weaker than the Phenergan, but if not, it is worth a try!

mhubbar5

phenergan gives me headaches too, but I found that zofran didn't really cut it, expecially at nights. You might want to try 1/2 unisom and B6.

KYmama9286

I've done phenergan, zofran (including the dissolvable tablets and liquid zofran given subcutaenously as well as oral pills), and reglan.

In my experience the phenergan works best for me though it causes drowsiness for me (its actually an antihistamine so if you get drowsy from stuff like benadryl you probably will from phenergan/promethazine also). I've taken it with all three of my pregnancies and it's been what I've been taking primarily with this pregnancy (mainly b/c I havent gotten my zofran scrip filled and I had some leftover from my last pregnancy that werent expired yet haha). If things get really bad another nice option about phenergan is that there is an option of getting phenergan suppositories (sounds gross sorry!) I had to use these during my last 2 pregnancies at times b/c I literally couldnt keep down anything long enough to get relief (before I got my zofran pump- like an insulin pump for diabetics but doses zofran continuously 24/7 at a low rate). It should also be noted that promethazine is an anti-nausea AND an anti-emetic (means it should help w/ nausea and vomiting).

As for zofran, the dissolvable tablets are supposedly supposed to work better than the oral tablets b/c they are more fast acting but  then there is the negative side that they have a taste to them (the ones I have are like a gross fake berry flavor). I can't handle the taste and it usually makes me throw up therefore defeating the purpose. The oral tabs can work well and come in 4mg and 8mg options so if the 4mg (usually prescribed first) don't work you can always ask about the higher dosage and in extreme cases like my first 2 pregnancies there is a zofran pump which I explained above. In my first 2 pregnancies I couldn't get things under control until I had IV fluids and a zofran pump since dehydration and lack of eating can make the vomiting and nausea worse you usually need to keep both things under control. I am pretty sure that unlike phenergan, zofran is just an anti-emetic which means it will help you not vomit but it doesn't necessarily help with nausea which is something to consider if you arent vomiting much and the nausea is the main problem. 

 I was also prescribed reglan in the beginning of my 1st pregnancy when we were trying to get things under control and all I will say is DO NOT TRY THIS MEDICATION! It caused me to have a terrible 2 days- Reglan has many class action law suits going on right now b/c it can have some serious side effects that are actually more common than not when taking it. The biggest risk is permanent tardive dyskenesia which is basically uncontrollable muscle twitching and movement. I experienced this within 24 hours of taking the medication- didn't realize what it was (I just felt like I was going to burst out of my skin- terrible terrible feeling when mixed with the fact that it did nothing for my vomiting and nausea). I called my dr and they told me immediately to stop the medication. I know that this med is prescribed for m/s and to help increase breast milk supply when nursing but it is one med that I would absolutely not even try.  HTH!

ninambutler

I think I may just stick with the phenergan! I have been prescribed it for 4 weeks now and it was working well until this past week. The first trimester is over in a month so hopefully I can just make it through! Thanks so much for your post! That was the best info I've gotten about all of these meds. I really appreciate the detail, both scientific and personal. Exactly the reply I needed.

TMWarren85

I have prescriptions for both, I take the Phenergan at night as it makes me tired and the Zofran during the day. I will say that the Zofran (for me personally) does a better job controlling the nausea BUT it comes with the sneaky side effect of constipation. My doctor recommended me backing off the Zofran at my 8 week appt (the nurse called in the Zofran after I called miserable at 7 weeks) and I was taking it like clockwork every 8 hours. When I wasn't taking it I swear I had the flu, I would take a pill and 30 minutes later I was fine- but since constipation is already an issue without it my doc threw up a yellow flag. I haven't had any in three days (I sound like an addict..) and there are rough moments but I'm hoping things will get better soon. Good luck to you! Also- if you've been taking it for a bit your body may have built up a tolerance, call your nurse and ask if you can up the dose safely or if they have another recommendation...