Cough and Insomnia

[elizabethgr]

Have a cold, and started taking cough Promethizne/Codine cough medicine and started having insomnia.  Why is that?

[elizabethgr]

Thank you.  I didn't have any other strange symptoms.  I didn't have a sore throat, even though I should have from all the coughing.  My chest didn't sound congested when I coughed.

I did quit taking the medicine and I did get better.  Just thought it was odd.  I usually never take the liquid cough medicine, as it makes me sick, but I had been coughing so much, that I thought it would be faster to slow down the coughing.

[Dr Santos]

Hi,
How are you? Are there other symptoms present? Promethazine often causes sedation. However, it sometimes stimulates activity in patients, and may present with restlessness, palpitations, or  inability to sleep, as in your case. Discontinuing the medicine and shifting to other OTC decongestants may help. Take care and do keep us posted.