This is an unofficial archive of PsychonautWiki as of 2025-08-11T15:14:44Z. Content on this page may be outdated, incomplete, or inaccurate. Please refer to the original page for the most up-to-date information.
Promethazine: Difference between revisions
>Kenan m remove link |
>Graham m wiki ref formatting |
||
| Line 5: | Line 5: | ||
'''Promethazine''' (commonly sold as '''Phenergan''' or '''Lergigan''') is a [[psychoactive class::depressant]] substance of the [[chemical class::phenothiazine]] class. Alongside codeine, it is popularly known as one of the active two ingredients in "lean". It acts as an [[antihistamine]]. | '''Promethazine''' (commonly sold as '''Phenergan''' or '''Lergigan''') is a [[psychoactive class::depressant]] substance of the [[chemical class::phenothiazine]] class. Alongside codeine, it is popularly known as one of the active two ingredients in "lean". It acts as an [[antihistamine]]. | ||
Promethazine was developed in the mid-1940s by French chemists.<ref>Li, | Promethazine was developed in the mid-1940s by French chemists.<ref name="Li2006">{{cite book | vauthors=((Li, J. J.)) | date= 2006 | title=Laughing gas, Viagra, and Lipitor: the human stories behind the drugs we use | publisher=Oxford University Press | isbn=9780195300994}}</ref> Today, it is available in many countries under many brand names. | ||
[[Subjective effects]] include [[muscle relaxation]], [[nausea suppression]], and strong [[sedation]]. It also reduces motion sickness and has anticholinergic properties. | [[Subjective effects]] include [[muscle relaxation]], [[nausea suppression]], and strong [[sedation]]. It also reduces motion sickness and has anticholinergic properties. | ||
Promethazine has been shown to have quality [[hypnotic]] effects and is sometimes used for this purpose.<ref>Adam K | Promethazine has been shown to have quality [[hypnotic]] effects and is sometimes used for this purpose.<ref>{{cite journal | vauthors=((Adam, K.)), ((Oswald, I.)) | journal=British Journal of Clinical Pharmacology | title=The hypnotic effects of an antihistamine: promethazine. | volume=22 | issue=6 | pages=715–717 | date= December 1986 | url=https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1365-2125.1986.tb02962.x | issn=03065251 | doi=10.1111/j.1365-2125.1986.tb02962.x}}</ref> | ||
It is highly advised to use harm reduction practices if using this substance. | It is highly advised to use harm reduction practices if using this substance. | ||
| Line 15: | Line 15: | ||
==History and culture== | ==History and culture== | ||
{{historyStub}} | {{historyStub}} | ||
Promethazine was developed in the mid-1940s when a team of scientists from Rhône-Poulenc laboratories was able to synthesize it from phenothiazine and a diamine side chain of diphenhydramine.<ref | Promethazine was developed in the mid-1940s when a team of scientists from Rhône-Poulenc laboratories was able to synthesize it from phenothiazine and a diamine side chain of diphenhydramine.<ref name="Li2006"/> It was previously used as an antipsychotic, although it is generally not administered for this purpose now. It has approximately 1/10 of the antipsychotic strength of chlorpromazine. | ||
It became popular among the Houston rap and hip-hop scene in around 1990<ref>( | It became popular among the Houston rap and hip-hop scene in around 1990<ref>{{cite book | vauthors=((Palmer, T.)) | date= 2005 | title=Country fried soul: adventures in dirty south hip hop | publisher=Backbeat | isbn=9780879308575}}</ref>, and the trend resurfaced in around 2015 to 2016. Often, it was combined with the opiate drug [[codeine]] in a preparation called "lean." Lean usually consists of ice, Sprite or a citrus soda, the promethazine/codeine cough syrup, and occasionally jolly ranchers for enhanced flavor. | ||
==Chemistry== | ==Chemistry== | ||
{{chemistry}} | {{chemistry}} | ||
| Line 36: | Line 36: | ||
**'''[[Effect::Physical Euphoria]]''' - This can lead to a very pleasant feeling of the entire body relaxing, feeling like warm gel. It is similar to but distinct from an [[opioid]]'s physical euphoria. {{citation needed}} | **'''[[Effect::Physical Euphoria]]''' - This can lead to a very pleasant feeling of the entire body relaxing, feeling like warm gel. It is similar to but distinct from an [[opioid]]'s physical euphoria. {{citation needed}} | ||
*'''[[Effect::Increased heart rate]]''' and '''[[Effect::increased blood pressure]]'''<ref>Tsay, M. E., Procopio, G., Anderson, B. D., | *'''[[Effect::Increased heart rate]]''' and '''[[Effect::increased blood pressure]]'''<ref name="Tsay2015">{{cite journal | vauthors=((Tsay, M. E.)), ((Procopio, G.)), ((Anderson, B. D.)), ((Klein-Schwartz, W.)) | journal=Journal of Addiction Medicine | title=Abuse and Intentional Misuse of Promethazine Reported to US Poison Centers: 2002 to 2012 | volume=9 | issue=3 | pages=233–237 | date= June 2015 | issn=1935-3227 | doi=10.1097/ADM.0000000000000124}}</ref> - Anticholinergic activity at muscarinic acetylcholine receptors causes these effects. | ||
*'''[[Effect::Abnormal heartbeat]]''' - This effect is exceptionally rare. | *'''[[Effect::Abnormal heartbeat]]''' - This effect is exceptionally rare. | ||
| Line 62: | Line 62: | ||
*'''[[Effect::Sleepiness]]''' - Feelings of physical exhaustion and tiredness are a common and pronounced effect of promethazine. The substance is therefore used to treat insomnia and abnormal sleep cycles. | *'''[[Effect::Sleepiness]]''' - Feelings of physical exhaustion and tiredness are a common and pronounced effect of promethazine. The substance is therefore used to treat insomnia and abnormal sleep cycles. | ||
*'''[[Effect::Delirium]]''' and '''[[Effect::Confusion|confusion]]'''<ref | *'''[[Effect::Delirium]]''' and '''[[Effect::Confusion|confusion]]'''<ref name="Tsay2015"/> - In low to moderate doses, promethazine presents a harmless sense of being confused or delirious. In high doses and overdose, it can become (but rarely does) so severe that the patient or user experiences excited delirium, a state of severe agitation and confusion. | ||
}} | }} | ||