Promethazine offers much-needed relief for allergy sufferers, those with motion sickness, and people experiencing cold symptoms.[1] While it provides relief, there are several side effects that users of promethazine might encounter. This could lead them to wonder how long the symptoms will last or when the medication will leave their system.
In this blog, you’ll learn how promethazine works, how long it stays in the system, and what factors affect its elimination half-life.
What is Promethazine?
Promethazine is a legal prescription medication commonly used to treat allergy symptoms, motion sickness, and nausea.[2] However, it has also gained notoriety as an ingredient in drug-fueled crimes and overdoses. Often referred to as ‘purple drink,’ promethazine is frequently mixed with other central nervous system depressants such as alcohol and fentanyl to achieve a high.[3]
According to Drugs.com, this medication works by changing actions of certain chemicals in the brain.[2] As an antihistamine, it also blocks the effects, of naturally occurring histamine, reducing hives and itching. It is administered as an injectable solution, tablet, syrup, or rectal depository.
How Long Does it Take Promethazine to Leave Your System?
Promethazine has an elimination half-life of 12 to 15 hours.[4] According to StatPearls, it takes approximately 4 to 5 half-lives for a drug to be fully eliminated from the body.[5] Therefore, it may take up to 75 hours for promethazine to be completely eliminated, though there are factors that can change its half-life.
What Factors Influence Promethazine’s Elimination Half-Life?
Although promethazine has a elimination half-life of 12 to 15 hours, there are a number of factors which can change its half-life.
These include:[6]
- Impaired liver functioning or liver disease
- Impaired kidney functioning or kidney disease
- Old age
- Method of administration
If someone has taken a toxic amount of promethazine, they may receive intravenous fluids, undergo gastric lavage, and be administered activated charcoal to reduce the drug’s presence in their system.[1] These measures can help manipulate the drug’s elimination half-life to ensure the patient’s safety.
Signs of promethazine toxicity include rapid heartbeat (tachycardia), CNS, depression, respiratory depression, and delirium.[1]
How Long Does it Take to Withdraw From Promethazine?
Withdrawal from promethazine can be more common in individuals using it alongside opioids like codeine. Codeine is a powerful opioid recognized for its genuine medical purposes, but it’s also classified as a Schedule V controlled substance due to its potential for misuse and dependency.[7]
If someone has been using promethazine with codeine inappropriately, they might develop a reliance on it and experience withdrawal symptoms when they try to stop.[7] Typically, with codeine, these symptoms can begin as soon as 6 to 12 hours after the last dose, often peaking around two days later and then slowly diminishing over time.[8]
To ensure a smoother transition, individuals using this formulation will work closely with their healthcare provider to create a personalized tapering plan that gradually decreases their dose.
How Long Does it Take to Clear a Toxic Dose of Promethazine From Your System?
Currently, there is limited information about how long it takes to recover from promethazine toxicity. Because there are different formulations of promethazine, each case requires a unique treatment approach, making recovery a highly individualized process. Rapid treatment in a hospital setting is essential for the best outcomes. Anecdotal reports suggest that individuals with uncomplicated cases of promethazine toxicity usually have relatively short hospital stays.[1]
Where to Get Treatment for Promethazine Dependency in Georgia
Purple drink has become popular in songs and music videos, sadly leading to an increase in substance use disorders and fatal overdoses. However, knowing these risks might not make it any easier to stop using once addiction takes hold.
If you’ve tried to stop using promethazine but find it hard to stay abstinent or spend most of your time recovering from its effects, you might have an addiction. Luckily, we can help you heal and remain sober.
Contact Southeast Addiction Center GA to learn about our addiction treatment programs and holistic approach to care. Together, we can move forward and achieve your goals.