Medicines labeled for the same conditions
Alternatives to codeine and promethazine
15 other medicines are given the same way (oral) and in the same FDA class as codeine and promethazine or labeled mainly for the same use (cough and cold); 2 are in its class, phenothiazines: homatropine methylbromide and hydrocodone and chlorpheniramine and hydrocodone; the others include 4 alpha-adrenergic agonists, 3 expectorants and 2 histamine-1 receptor antagonists (FDA labels read October 8, 2026). In the same class, the lowest pharmacy cost is $0.556 per mL (Hydrocodone-chlorphen ER suspension) (what pharmacies paid in the NADAC survey; strengths differ).
Which medicines are labeled for the same conditions as codeine and promethazine?
Cough and cold lists all 31 medicines labeled for it, by any route. Each row shows the conditions both labels name. They are listed as public records, not as substitutes: whether one can replace another depends on the person and is a prescriber's decision.
| Medicine and FDA class | Shared indication | Generic labelers (oral) | Pharmacy cost | Boxed warning | Shortage |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Codeine and promethazinephenothiazine | this medicine | 5 labelers | $0.0697 per mL Promethazine-codeine solution | Yes | No current entry |
| Homatropine methylbromide and hydrocodoneopioid agonist · same class | Cough and cold | 3 labelers | $0.922 per tablet 5-1.5 mg tablet | Yes | No current entry |
| Chlorpheniramine and hydrocodonehistamine-1 receptor antagonist · same class | Cough and cold | 2 labelers | $0.556 per mL Hydrocodone-chlorphen ER suspension | Yes | No current entry |
| Diphenhydraminehistamine-1 receptor antagonist | Cough and cold | 4 labelers | $0.0185 per mL 12.5 mg/5 mL | No | No current entry |
| Dextromethorphan and guaifenesinexpectorant | Cough and cold | 61 labelers | $0.0207 per mL 200-20 mg/20 mL | No | No current entry |
| Guaifenesinexpectorant | Cough and cold | 102 labelers | $0.284 per tablet 600 mg tablet | No | No current entry |
| Benzonatatenon-narcotic antitussive | Cough and cold | 45 labelers | $0.0656 per capsule 100 mg capsule | No | No current entry |
| Dextromethorphansigma-1 agonist | Cough and cold | 28 labelers | $0.122 per unit 15 mg softgel | No | No current entry |
| Pseudoephedrinealpha-adrenergic agonist | Cough and cold | 34 labelers | $0.281 per tablet 120 mg tablet | No | No current entry |
| Guaifenesin and pseudoephedrineexpectorant | Cough and cold | 30 labelers | $0.384 per unit 600-60 mg | No | No current entry |
| Phenylephrinealpha-1 adrenergic agonist | Cough and cold | none listed | $0.0496 per tablet 10 mg tablet | No | No current entry |
| Loratadine and pseudoephedrinealpha-adrenergic agonist | Cough and cold | 31 labelers | $0.553 per tablet Allergy relief-nasal decong tablet | No | No current entry |
| Fexofenadine and pseudoephedrinehistamine-1 receptor antagonist | Cough and cold | 27 labelers | $0.483 per tablet 60-120 tablet | No | No current entry |
| Ibuprofen and pseudoephedrinealpha-adrenergic agonist | Cough and cold | 9 labelers | n/a | No | No current entry |
| Naproxen and pseudoephedrinealpha-adrenergic agonist | Cough and cold | 10 labelers | $0.244 per unit 220-120 mg | No | No current entry |
| Ibuprofen and phenylephrinealpha-1 adrenergic agonist | Cough and cold | 3 labelers | n/a | No | No current entry |
Source: FDA drug labels (indications) via openFDA; FDA NDC Directory; CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026; FDA Drug Shortage Database (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What do pharmacies pay for each?
The headline NADAC price per unit of each medicine's most widely listed form; strengths differ, so compare like with like on each record.
Source: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) survey, October 7, 2026: what retail pharmacies paid per unit; not a counter price
What next?
- Codeine and promethazine: the full record
- label, generics, price, shortages, recalls