Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Phenergan vs. Sancuso

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Promethazine (Phenergan) and Sancuso (granisetron) are both prescription medications used to manage nausea and vomiting, but they have different uses and forms. Promethazine is an antihistamine that also blocks dopamine and acetylcholine, making it versatile for treating allergies, motion sickness, and nausea. It comes in various forms, including tablets, oral solutions, suppositories, and injections. In contrast, Sancuso is an antiemetic specifically for preventing nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. It works by blocking serotonin and is available only as a transdermal patch. Promethazine can cause drowsiness and is not recommended for children under 2 years old due to serious breathing risks, while Sancuso is generally well-tolerated but can be expensive and requires careful handling to avoid heat and sunlight exposure. Promethazine is available as a lower-cost generic, whereas Sancuso does not have a generic form.

  • Promethazine
    Sancuso (granisetron)
  • Promethazine
    Sancuso (granisetron)

  • Summary of Phenergan vs. Sancuso

    Summary for Antihistamine
    Prescription only

    Promethazine is a prescription medication with many uses, such as treatment or prevention of nausea, motion sickness, and allergy symptoms. Promethazine works by blocking several chemicals, including histamine, dopamine, and acetylcholine. It comes as tablets, an oral solution, rectal suppositories, and an injection. The dose of promethazine and how often you take it depends on your age and what medical condition you're taking it to treat. But it shouldn't be given to children younger than 2 years of age since it can cause serious breathing problems. Common side effects include sleepiness and dizziness.

    Summary for Antiemetic
    Prescription only

    Sancuso, the brand name for the granisetron patch, is used to prevent nausea and vomiting caused by chemotherapy. This antiemetic medication is approved for adults only. You typically apply a patch to the skin on the upper outer arm 1 to 2 days before chemotherapy. The patch slowly releases your dose over several days. The most common side effect of Sancuso (granisetron) is constipation.

  • Indications of Phenergan vs. Sancuso

    Indications for
    •Runny nose, watery eyes, and other symptoms of allergies
    •Runny or stuffy nose that isn't caused by allergies
    •Rash, swelling, anaphylaxis, and other symptoms of an allergic reaction
    •Dermographism
    •Treatment or prevention of nausea and vomiting before and after surgery
    •Treatment or prevention of motion sickness
    •Treatment of pain along with other pain medications after surgery
    •Help to relax your body and produce a light sleep, particularly before a procedure
    Indications for
    •Prevention of nausea and vomiting caused by cancer medications (chemotherapy)

  • Pros and Cons of Phenergan vs. Sancuso

    Pros and Const for Antihistamine
    Pros
    •Available as a lower-cost generic
    •Available in different formulations, such as a tablet, syrup, and injection
    •Starts working within 20 minutes
    Cons
    •Can't be taken by children under 2 years old because risk of serious breathing problem
    •Higher risk of side effects in older adults
    •Can cause sleepiness
    Pros and Const for Antiemetic
    Pros
    •Good option for people who don't like to take pills
    •Each patch prevents nausea and vomiting around the clock for up to 7 days
    •A convenient option for those on multi-day chemotherapy regimens
    •Usually well-tolerated with few side effects
    Cons
    •Only approved for adults
    •Can only wear each patch for up to 7 days, even if you still have nausea
    •Need to apply to nearly hairless skin
    •Must place on the upper outer arm, so it might be visible to others

  • Common Side Effects of Phenergan vs. Sancuso

    Common Side Effects for
    •Feeling drowsy or tired
    •Dizziness
    •Confusion
    •Dry mouth
    •Nervousness
    •Blurry vision

    The following side effects are those additionally reported with promethazine injection at the injection site:

    •Burning
    •Pain
    •Rash
    •Swelling
    Common Side Effects for
    •Constipation (5%)

  • Warnings of Phenergan vs. Sancuso

    Common Side Effects for
    •Potentially life-threatening slow breathing (respiratory depression)
    •Serious tissue injury (Injection only)
    •Excessive sleepiness
    •Worsening of certain health problems
    •Seizures
    •Higher risk of infection (from low white blood cell count)
    •Risk of serious nerve problems (neuroleptic malignant syndrome)
    •Uncontrollable body movements
    Common Side Effects for
    •Digestion problems
    •Serotonin syndrome
    •Skin reactions
    •Possible side effects with heat and sun exposure to the patch

  • Prices with our coupons for Phenergan vs. Sancuso

    Learn more about Promethazine
    Learn more about Sancuso

Compare other Nausea drugs

Compazine vs PhenerganDiclegis vs PhenerganPhenergan vs AloxiPhenergan vs AnzemetPhenergan vs ComproPhenergan vs SancusoPhenergan vs ScopolamineZofran vs PhenerganBarhemsys vs ZofranBonjesta vs ZofranDiclegis vs ZofranDramamine vs ZofranKytril vs ZofranMeclizine vs ZofranScopolamine vs AloxiScopolamine vs AnzemetScopolamine vs ComproScopolamine vs SancusoTigan vs ZofranZofran vs AnzemetZofran vs CompazineZofran vs ComproZofran vs DexamethasoneZofran vs EmendZofran vs GranisetronZofran vs Pepto BismolZofran vs ReglanZofran vs SancusoZofran vs ScopolamineZofran vs Sustol
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.