Promethazine

What is Promethazine

Promethazine is an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in your body.

Promethazine is used to treat allergic symptoms and reactions such as itching, runny nose; sneezing; itchy, watery eyes; hives; and itchy skin rashes.

Promethazine is also used to cause sedation (sleep), to assist in controlling postoperative pain, to control nausea and vomiting (especially after surgery), and to prevent motion sickness.

Promethazine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

General medical information about Promethazine

Call your doctor immediately if you experience uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs. These could be early signs of dangerous side effects.

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Promethazine may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking Promethazine.

Who should not take Promethazine

Before taking Promethazine, tell your doctor if you have:
- epilepsy or another seizure disorder;
- been diagnosed with sleep apnea (periods of not breathing during sleep);
- glaucoma;
- an ulcer or an obstruction in your stomach;
- bladder problems or difficulty urinating;
- high blood pressure or any type of heart disease; or
- liver problems.

You may not be able to take Promethazine, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Promethazine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Promethazine will harm an unborn baby. Do not take Promethazine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or if you are planning a pregnancy.

It is not known whether Promethazine passes into breast milk. Do not take Promethazine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from Promethazine. You may require a lower dose of this medication.

The safety of Promethazine has not been established for children younger than 2 years of age.

How should take Promethazine

Take Promethazine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the directions on your prescription bottle, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain the instructions to you.

Take each oral dose with a full glass of water.

You can take Promethazine with or without food.

To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the syrup form of Promethazine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular tablespoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.

The suppositories are for rectal use only. Ask your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist to explain how to use a suppository if you do not know how.

Store Promethazine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Store the suppositories in the refrigerator.

If you miss a dose:

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

What happens if you overdose:

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of a Promethazine overdose include severe drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, large pupils, flushing, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and unconsciousness.

Avoid while taking Promethazine

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking Promethazine.

Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Promethazine may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

Possible side effects of Promethazine

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Promethazine and seek emergency medical attention:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs; or
- yellowing of your skin or eyes, abdominal pain.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take Promethazine and talk to your doctor if you experience
- dizziness, drowsiness, sleepiness, or confusion;
- blurred vision or a dry mouth;
- nausea or vomiting; or
- increased sensitivity to sunlight.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Promethazine

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- anxiety or sleep medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), temazepam (Restoril), or triazolam (Halcion);
- medications for depression such as amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), or paroxetine (Paxil);
- narcotics (pain killers) such as: meperidine (Demerol), morphine (MS Contin, MSIR, others), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet), hydrocodone (Lorcet, Vicodin), oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan), fentanyl (Duragesic), and codeine (Fiorinal, Fioricet, Tylenol #3, others);
- other sedatives such as phenobarbital (Solfoton, Luminal), amobarbital (Amytal) and secobarbital (Seconal); or
- any other medications that make you feel drowsy, sleepy, or relaxed.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Promethazine. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.