See the DrugPatentWatch profile for promethazine
What is the correct promethazine with codeine dose for adults?
Dosing for “promethazine with codeine” depends on the exact product strength (how many mg of promethazine and how many mg of codeine are in each tablet or 5 mL of syrup), as well as the patient’s age. Because product concentrations vary, the safest way to confirm a dose is to use the label instructions for the specific strength.
If you tell me the exact formulation on your bottle (for example, “X mg codeine per 5 mL” and “Y mg promethazine per 5 mL,” or the tablet mg strengths), I can help you interpret the dosing range that matches that product.
How is promethazine with codeine typically dosed for children?
Promethazine with codeine dosing in children is tightly restricted due to risks from codeine metabolism and respiratory depression. For many codeine-containing cough syrups, use in children is limited or not recommended, depending on age and the product’s labeling.
If you share the child’s age and the exact product strength, I can help you check what the label says for that age group.
What does “dosage” mean here—tablets vs syrup?
Promethazine with codeine is commonly sold as:
- Oral tablets (promethazine/codeine per tablet), or
- Oral syrup (promethazine/codeine per 5 mL)
These are not interchangeable. A dose written in mL for syrup must not be converted into “tablets” unless the mg per unit matches.
How often do doses get taken?
Promethazine with codeine dosing schedules commonly involve taking a dose at set intervals (for example, every several hours), but the correct interval and maximum daily dose are determined by the product label and patient factors (age, severity of symptoms, and whether other sedating medicines are used).
What if the patient is also taking other sedating medicines or alcohol?
Codeine and promethazine both can cause sedation and breathing suppression. Combining with alcohol, benzodiazepines, opioids, sleep medications, or other sedating drugs increases risk. Avoiding these combinations is a key safety issue regardless of the dose.
If you list any other medicines (especially sleep/anxiety meds and other cough or pain medicines), I can help flag common interaction concerns.
How to avoid an incorrect dose with Akorn-labeled products
“Akorn” is a manufacturer name, but the actual dose is defined by the drug strength on the label. Two products made by different companies (or even the same company) can still have different mg concentrations per tablet or per 5 mL.
To get you the right dose, please reply with:
1) Is it syrup or tablets?
2) The strength printed on the label (mg of codeine and mg of promethazine, and whether it’s per tablet or per 5 mL)
3) Patient age
4) Whether it’s for cough (and how severe), and any other sedating meds
Important safety note
Codeine-containing cough products carry serious risk of respiratory depression, especially in children and in people with certain metabolism/genetic factors. Many formulations have age restrictions and strong warnings. If this is for a child, it’s critical to check the exact label for that product before giving it.
If you share the label strength and the patient’s age, I’ll help you interpret the appropriate dosage and frequency for that specific product.