Promethazine Use in COPD Patients

Risks and Contraindications

• The American Thoracic Society and European Respiratory Society imply that promethazine has anticholinergic properties that can increase respiratory secretions and potentially worsen dyspnea in COPD patients, particularly when combined with other anticholinergic bronchodilators 1
• Standard COPD management with bronchodilators, such as LABA/LAMA combinations, should be optimized first to address underlying respiratory issues 2, 3