Old thread, but I want to chime in on here, I have BOTH scripted to me.
Both are 25mg, and I take them both 4x a day as prescribed.
I got Hydroxyzine from my psychiatrist for Anxiety, though it's a very mild (weak) anti anxiety medication.
I got Promethazine from my primary care doctor for chronic Nausea, opiate adjunct, and motion sickness.
COMPARISON
They both are great non addictive medications.
Promethazine is more sedating.
They both go GREAT with opiates. Takes away the unwanted side effects such as nausea, itchiness, dizziness, etc.
With that said, they take away the unwanted side effects of the opiate, and potentiate the positives such as the pain killing properties, euphoria, mood lift, and you can save opiates also by taking less and get the same desired effects of the opiate since they make opiates more potent.
There are 2 different forms of Hydroxyzine, 1. Hydroxyzine HCL (hydrochloride) 2. Hydroxyzine PAM (pamoate).
I had a choice between the 2, and chose Hydroxyzine PAM.
I chose Hydroxyzine PAM over HCL because I was told by both my doctor and pharmacist that Hydroxyzine PAM is used more to make pain killers work better.
Hydroxyzine HCL is the better choice for allergic reactions.
So of course I went with Hydroxyzine PAM
Hydroxyzine is also a very good potentiater for Benzos. Since it's also Rx'd for anxiety like most Benzos.
Promethazine with Benzos will just get you more sedation.
CONCLUSION
I like Promethazine better than Hydroxyzine.
I'm more of an opiate guy, even though I LOVE Benzos, but IMO, no class of drugs are more fun and euphoric than opiates.
Promethazine = Great with opiates, more sedating, great for insomnia, great for nausea
Hydroxyzine = Great with Benzos, good for anxiety, good for insomnia, good for nausea
RATINGS
Promethazine ,
With opiates 10
Sedation 7
Nausea 9
Insomnia 8
Hydroxyzine,
With Benzos 8
Anxiety 5
Nausea 6
Insomnia 7
Sedation 5
Promethazine > Hydroxyzine