Phenergan contains promethazine. It is not contraindicated simply because you are pregnant. The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists (RCOG) includes promethazine as a first line treatment option for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, and UK teratology data do not suggest that exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects.
There is an important point alongside that reassurance. Pregnancy sickness is not a licensed use listed for Phenergan, so using it for this reason is considered off label. The product information advises that Phenergan should only be used during pregnancy when the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks. If you are considering it for pregnancy sickness, speak to your GP, midwife or pharmacist rather than starting it yourself.
Key things to know
- RCOG includes promethazine among the first line anti sickness medicines that can be used for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy.
- Current UK teratology data do not suggest that promethazine exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of birth defects.
- Pregnancy sickness is not a licensed use for Phenergan, so using it for this purpose is off label.
- If you took Phenergan before you knew you were pregnant, speak to your GP or midwife rather than assuming that you have caused harm. UKTIS says exposure to promethazine at any stage of pregnancy would not usually be grounds for ending a pregnancy or for extra fetal monitoring.
- There is no single pregnancy dose or schedule that you should work out yourself. Your healthcare professional can decide whether it is appropriate and how it should be used.
- High doses during late pregnancy can cause neurological effects in a newborn, so tell your maternity team if you are taking promethazine close to delivery.
Can you take Phenergan while pregnant
Can you take Phenergan while pregnant, can I take Phenergan while pregnant, can you take Phenergan when pregnant, can you have Phenergan when pregnant, can a pregnant woman take Phenergan and can pregnant women take Phenergan are all asking much the same thing.
The answer needs a little context. Promethazine, the active ingredient in Phenergan, is included by RCOG as a first line option for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy. UKTIS says that the available data overall do not support an association between prenatal promethazine exposure and congenital malformations. Limited data also do not suggest increased risks of miscarriage, stillbirth, preterm delivery, low birth weight or adverse neurodevelopmental outcomes.
However, the Phenergan product information takes a more cautious position and says that its use during pregnancy is not recommended unless the potential benefits outweigh the potential risks. Pregnancy sickness is also an off label use for Phenergan.
So, if you are pregnant and thinking about taking Phenergan, do not use the information on this page to choose a dose yourself. Speak to your GP, midwife or pharmacist first. They can consider your symptoms, how far along you are and any other medicines or health conditions.
I took Phenergan while pregnant, what now
This is a common worry, especially if you took Phenergan before you knew you were pregnant.
The available UK evidence is reassuring about birth defects. UKTIS says that the data overall do not support an association between promethazine exposure during pregnancy and congenital malformations. It also states that exposure at any stage would not usually be grounds for ending a pregnancy or for additional fetal monitoring.
If you have taken Phenergan, tell your GP or midwife what you took, how much you took and roughly when you took it. If you have been taking it regularly, speak to them rather than continuing or stopping treatment without advice.
There is no need to hide an accidental exposure. Your healthcare team can look at the timing, dose and your individual circumstances and tell you whether anything else needs to be done.
How often can you take Phenergan while pregnant
"How often can you take Phenergan while pregnant?" is not something that can be answered with one schedule for everyone.
The appropriate dose and frequency depend on why you are taking promethazine, how severe your symptoms are, how you respond to treatment and what other medicines you take. The product information gives doses for its licensed uses, but pregnancy sickness is an off label use, so your healthcare professional should decide how it is used in your situation.
If your sickness is not improving, do not simply increase the dose yourself. Speak to your GP, midwife or maternity team. They can review your treatment and consider another anti sickness medicine if needed.
Phenergan for morning sickness and nausea
Phenergan for morning sickness, Phenergan morning sickness, Phenergan for nausea in pregnancy, Phenergan for nausea pregnancy, Phenergan for pregnancy nausea and Phenergan nausea pregnancy are all searches about the same issue.
Nausea and vomiting in pregnancy affects up to 90% of women. It usually starts between weeks four and seven and resolves by week 20 in about 90% of cases. For some people, symptoms continue for longer. "Morning sickness" can also be a misleading name because nausea and vomiting can happen throughout the day.
UK guidance sets out several treatment options rather than one medicine that works for everyone.
| Stage | What is used |
|---|---|
| Self care first | Small, frequent meals, avoiding smells or foods that trigger symptoms, and drinking enough fluids |
| First line | Cyclizine or promethazine, or prochlorperazine or chlorpromazine |
| Licensed option | Doxylamine with pyridoxine, the only medicine specifically licensed in the UK for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy |
| Second line | Metoclopramide, domperidone or ondansetron may be considered when earlier treatments have not worked |
| Hospital care | Severe or persistent symptoms, dehydration, or being unable to keep fluids or oral medicines down |
Promethazine therefore sits within a wider treatment plan. If you have severe or persistent sickness, are losing weight, feel dehydrated or cannot keep fluids down, speak to your GP, midwife or maternity team. You may need assessment and treatment for hyperemesis gravidarum rather than trying to manage the symptoms yourself.
Phenergan tablet uses in pregnancy, and what the box says
Phenergan and pregnancy can mean several different things. You may be asking about pregnancy sickness, hay fever, allergies, motion sickness or sleep.
Phenergan is used for allergic conditions, including allergic rhinitis and urticaria, as an antiemetic and for short term treatment of insomnia in adults. Pregnancy sickness is not listed as a specific licensed indication for Phenergan, so using it for this purpose is considered off label.
The fact that another use is licensed does not automatically mean that it is the best choice during pregnancy. If you need treatment for hay fever, allergies or another problem while pregnant, tell your pharmacist or GP that you are pregnant. They can help you choose an option that is suitable for your situation.
Phenergan 25 mg in pregnancy
Questions about Phenergan 25 mg in pregnancy usually come down to two things: whether the 25 mg tablet is suitable and how many tablets to take.
Phenergan 25 mg tablets are an adult strength, but that does not mean that 25 mg is the right dose for you during pregnancy. The product information gives different doses for its licensed uses, while pregnancy sickness is an off label use.
So, if you have searched for "is Phenergan 25 mg OK to take in pregnancy?" or "promethazine pregnancy first trimester dosage", do not use a website to work out the dose. Speak to your GP, midwife or pharmacist about what is appropriate for you.
Phenergan in the first trimester
Phenergan first trimester, Phenergan in first trimester and promethazine pregnancy first trimester are common searches because early pregnancy is when nausea and vomiting often begin.
The available UK evidence does not suggest that promethazine exposure during pregnancy increases the risk of congenital malformations. RCOG also includes promethazine among the first line anti sickness options for pregnancy sickness.
If you have taken Phenergan before knowing you were pregnant, tell your GP or midwife. UKTIS says that exposure at any stage of pregnancy would not usually be grounds for ending a pregnancy or for additional fetal monitoring.
Later in pregnancy there is a separate point to consider. High doses during late pregnancy can cause prolonged neurological effects in a newborn. If you are taking promethazine close to delivery, your maternity team should know.
Phenergan pregnancy category and class
Phenergan pregnancy category and Phenergan pregnancy class are common searches, especially when people find information from websites outside the UK.
The old US pregnancy letter system used categories such as A, B, C, D and X. The FDA replaced this system in 2015 because a single letter could not explain the full evidence and potential risks and benefits.
Australia has its own pregnancy category system. The UK does not use these letter categories.
For UK advice, healthcare professionals use sources such as the Summary of Product Characteristics, UKTIS and RCOG guidance. These provide more detailed information than a single category letter.
Sedation, and why it matters more in pregnancy
Promethazine while pregnant and promethazine in pregnancy come with one practical issue that is easy to underestimate: drowsiness.
Promethazine can make you sleepy, dizzy or less alert. It can also cause blurred vision. The effects can last for up to 12 hours, so an evening dose may still affect you the next morning. If you feel drowsy, dizzy or have blurred vision, you should not drive or operate machinery.
If you drive, work in a safety critical role or are caring for young children, mention this when you discuss treatment. It may be useful when choosing between different anti sickness options.
Dry mouth and constipation can also occur. Constipation is already common during pregnancy, so it is worth mentioning if you are considering promethazine.
When to seek help rather than treatment
Speak to your GP, midwife or maternity team if:
- You cannot keep fluids down.
- You are losing weight or have signs of dehydration, such as passing very little urine or feeling faint.
- Your sickness is severe or is stopping you from managing normal daily activities.
- You have abdominal pain, fever or other symptoms that do not fit typical pregnancy sickness.
- You are worried about your health or your baby's wellbeing.
If you are concerned about your baby's movements, contact your maternity team promptly rather than trying to manage the problem yourself.
Suspected side effects from medicines can be reported through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme. These reports help the MHRA collect information about possible medicine side effects.
Cost, and where a pharmacist fits in
The listed prices for the Phenergan products are:
| Product | Pack | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Phenergan 25mg tablets | 56 tablets | £14.99 |
| Phenergan Elixir 5mg/5ml | 100ml oral solution | £14.49 |
Prices were verified on the product pages at the time of writing. The live product pages should be treated as the most up to date source because prices can change.
If you are considering buying Phenergan from a pharmacy, tell the pharmacist that you are pregnant before taking it. They can check whether it is appropriate for you and advise whether you need to speak to your GP, midwife or another healthcare professional.
If you are looking for another service, you can also visit our pharmacy website to see what we offer.
Medical Disclaimer
This page provides general information about Phenergan and its use during pregnancy. It is not a diagnosis or a substitute for advice from a GP, midwife, obstetric team or pharmacist who knows your medical history and stage of pregnancy.
No dose or frequency is given here for pregnancy use because there is no single schedule that is right for everyone. Promethazine is used off-label for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy in the UK, so a healthcare professional should consider your symptoms, stage of pregnancy, other medicines and overall health before recommending it.
RCOG includes promethazine as a first-line option for nausea and vomiting in pregnancy, and current UK teratology data do not suggest an increased risk of birth defects. However, promethazine can cause side effects such as drowsiness, dizziness and blurred vision. High doses during late pregnancy can also cause neurological effects in a newborn. If you are pregnant and considering Phenergan, speak to your GP, midwife or pharmacist about whether it is appropriate for you.
