What is codeine and promethazine?
Codeine is a narcotic. It is a pain reliever and a cough suppressant.
Promethazine is an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical
histamine in your body.
The combination of codeine and promethazine is used to treat cold or allergy symptoms
such as runny nose, sneezing, and cough.
Codeine and promethazine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking codeine and promethazine?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to codeine, phenylephrine, or
promethazine, or if you have high blood pressure, a blood vessel disorder, or asthma.
Before taking codeine and promethazine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs,
or if you have:
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epilepsy or other seizure disorder;
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asthma, COPD, sleep apnea, or other breathing disorders;
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glaucoma;
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a stomach ulcer or digestive obstruction;
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a weak immune system;
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Addison's disease;
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enlarged prostate, urination problems;
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high or low blood pressure or heart disease;
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liver or kidney disease;
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underactive thyroid;
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gallbladder disease; or
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a head injury or brain tumor.
Codeine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the
person it was prescribed for.
Codeine and promethazine should never be given to
another person, especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction.
Keep the medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. It
could also cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes codeine and
promethazine during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant
during treatment.
Codeine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. The use of codeine
by some nursing mothers may lead to life-threatening side effects in the baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Do not give this medication to a child without the advice of a doctor.
How should I take codeine and promethazine?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Measure liquid medicine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not a regular table
spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Contact your doctor if your symptoms do not improve within a few days of using codeine
and promethazine.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
Keep track of how much of this medicine has been used. Codeine is a drug of abuse
and you should be aware if any person in the household is using this medicine improperly or
without a prescription.
What happens if I miss a dose of codeine and promethazine?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose,
skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about codeine and promethazine?
Your pharmacist has information about codeine and promethazine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of codeine and promethazine?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these
serious side effects:
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restless muscle movements in your eyes, tongue, jaw, or neck,
tremor (uncontrolled shaking);
-
shallow breathing, slow heartbeat;
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feeling like you might pass out;
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jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
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confusion, agitation, hallucinations, unusual thoughts or
behavior;
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seizure (convulsions);
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urinating less than usual or not at all; or
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fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or uneven
heartbeats, rapid breathing.
Less serious side effects may include:
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dizziness, drowsiness, sleepiness;
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feeling restless, nervous, or anxious;
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blurred vision, ringing in your ears;
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constipation, mild nausea or vomiting;
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warmth, redness, or tingly feeling under your skin;
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sleep problems (insomnia);
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increased sweating;
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dry mouth; or
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mild skin rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about codeine and promethazine?
Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions before you start taking
this medication.
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to codeine or promethazine, or if
you have asthma or other lung disease.
Codeine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was
prescribed for.
Codeine and promethazine should never be given to another person,
especially someone who has a history of drug abuse or addiction.
Keep the
medication in a secure place where others cannot get to it.
Codeine and promethazine should not be given to a child without the advice of a
doctor.
There are many other medicines that can cause interact with
promethazine.
Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by
other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with
you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who
treats you.
What should I avoid while taking codeine and promethazine?
This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions.
Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of codeine and
promethazine.
Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as
cold or allergy medicine, other pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for
seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by codeine and
promethazine.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). This
medication can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a
sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.
What other drugs will affect codeine and promethazine?
Many drugs can interact with codeine and promethazine. Below is just a partial list. Tell
your doctor if you are using:
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sedatives or anxiety medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax),
diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), temazepam (Restoril), or triazolam (Halcion);
-
antidepressants such as amitriptyline (Elavil), doxepin
(Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), fluoxetine (Prozac), sertraline (Zoloft), or paroxetine
(Paxil);
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narcotic pain medicines such as meperidine (Demerol),
morphine (MS Contin, MSIR), propoxyphene (Darvon, Darvocet), hydrocodone (Lortab,
Vicodin), oxycodone (Percocet, Percodan), fentanyl (Duragesic), codeine (Fiorinal, Fioricet,
Tylenol #3);
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phenobarbital (Luminal), amobarbital (Amytal) or
secobarbital (Seconal);
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an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam); or
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atropine (Donnatal, and others), belladonna, clidinium
(Quarzan), dicyclomine (Bentyl), glycopyrrolate (Robinul), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz,
Levsin, and others), methscopolamine (Pamine), and scopolamine (Transderm-Scop).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with codeine and promethazine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter
medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by
other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of codeine and promethazine?
