Avomine (Promethazine)

Promethazine, sold under the brand name Avomine, is a sedating antihistamine medication. It is used to prevent and treat symptoms of motion sickness (travel sickness), including nausea and vomiting. It is also sometimes prescribed for short-term sleep support or allergy symptoms.

The active ingredient of Avomine, promethazine, belongs to a group of medicines called phenothiazines. These medications affect your brain’s vomiting centre and balance signals sent from your inner ear. This helps prevent motion sickness symptoms before they begin.

You can order Avomine 25 mg tablets from 121doc after a short online consultation.

The active ingredient, promethazine teoclate, works by blocking nausea and balance signals. This helps prevent mismatched signals between your eyes and your inner ear, which typically are the cause of motion sickness symptoms. Promethazine also has a mild sedative effect, which many people find helpful during longer trips.

This combination can prevent travel sickness before it even begins, including symptoms like nausea, dizziness and vomiting.

Promethazine teoclate has been used for motion sickness for decades. Clinical trials have shown it to be the most effective antihistamine in the prevention of travel sickness. In comparative studies, it was also shown to be longer-acting than most oral antihistamines, such as dimenhydrinate.

To be prescribed Avomine travel sickness tablets at 121doc, you must be over 18 years old and must complete an online consultation so our doctors can determine whether treatment is right for you.

You should not use Promethazine if you:

• are allergic to promethazine or other phenothiazines
• have had severe reactions to antihistamines in the past
• are currently taking sedatives or certain depressants
• have taken MAOis (a class of antidepressants) within the last 14 days
• have severe breathing problems
• have a condition where your nervous system slows down (central nervous system depression)

Doctors generally advise against using Promethazine during pregnancy, particularly if you are close to delivery. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, do not take Promethazine before consulting your doctor.

Promethazine is fast-acting, and if you are taking it to treat motion sickness, your symptoms will usually start to improve after 20 minutes of taking it. However, it will take 1-2 hours to experience its full effect. For this reason, it works best when taken preventively.

The usual Promethazine dosage for adults is one 25 mg tablet a day.

For long-haul travel: take one tablet the night before travelling.

For short journeys: take it 1-2 hours before you set off.

For acute travel sickness symptoms: take one 25 mg tablet as soon as you start feeling sick, followed by a second tablet the same evening. If you need to, you can take a third tablet the next day, in the evening.

You should not exceed the recommended daily dose unless your doctor tells you otherwise. An overdose of Promethazine can be dangerous. If you have taken too much, seek medical attention immediately.

Promethazine is generally well-tolerated, but like all medications, it may cause some side effects.

The most common Promethazine side effects are:

• feeling drowsy or sleepy
• restlessness
• dizziness
• nightmares
• headache

If you experience worrying or severe adverse effects, seek medical attention as soon as possible. To see a full list of the potential side effects of promethazine, refer to the patient information leaflet.

No. Avoid alcohol while taking Promethazine, as this combination can increase sedation and dizziness.

No, you should not drive or operate machinery when using Avomine tablets, as they can make you feel drowsy, dizzy, or affect your vision. While driving may cause motion sickness, it is important that you only use promethazine when you are a passenger.

No, Promethazine is not particularly addictive, but it can be habit-forming. You should not use it for long periods of time. Prolonged use can cause withdrawal symptoms.

Avomine and Phenergan are both antihistamines and have the same active ingredient, promethazine, but these medications are slightly different. Avomine contains promethazine teoclate and Phenergan contains promethazine hydrochloride. Promethazine teoclate has a longer duration of action, which makes Avomine more suitable for travel sickness and nausea, while Phenergan is more commonly used to treat allergies.

Yes, Promethazine and its branded version, Avomine, are available without a prescription at many pharmacies in the UK. However, completing a consultation before using this medication helps ensure that it is safe and suitable for you to take.

A prescription from a trusted healthcare provider like 121doc ensures:

• safety during treatment
• effective results
• monitoring of side effects

To see if you’re eligible for treatment, all you have to do is complete a short online consultation. If approved by our medical team, your treatment will be delivered direct to your door in discreet packaging.