What is promethazine (oral)?
Promethazine is in a group of drugs called phenothiazines (FEEN-oh-THYE-a-zeens). It
works by changing the actions of chemicals in your brain. Promethazine also acts as an antihistamine. It
blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in your body.
Promethazine is used to treat allergy symptoms such as itching, runny nose, sneezing, itchy or
watery eyes, hives, and itchy skin rashes.
Promethazine also prevents motion sickness, and treats nausea and vomiting or pain after
surgery. It is also used as a sedative or sleep aid.
Promethazine is not for use in treating symptoms of asthma, pneumonia, or other lower
respiratory tract infections.
Promethazine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking promethazine (oral)?
Promethazine should not be given to a child younger than 2 years old. Promethazine can
cause severe breathing problems or death in a child younger than 2.
Carefully follow your
doctor's instructions when giving this medicine to a child of any age.
Do not use this medication if you have severe asthma, emphysema, or other breathing
problem, or if you are allergic to promethazine or other phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine
(Thorazine), fluphenazine (Permitil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine, Compro),
thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluoperazine (Stelazine).
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use
this medication. Before you take promethazine, tell your doctor if you have:
-
a history of seizures;
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heart disease or high blood pressure;
-
liver or kidney disease;
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severe asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease (COPD) or other breathing problem;
-
sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep);
-
glaucoma;
-
a stomach ulcer or digestive obstruction;
-
bone marrow depression;
-
adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma);
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enlarged prostate or problems with urination;
-
low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia); or
-
if you have ever had a serious side effect while using
promethazine or any other phenothiazine.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether promethazine is
harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during
treatment.
It is not known whether promethazine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing
baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medication.
How should I take promethazine (oral)?
Take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Do not take it in larger amounts or
for longer than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this
medication.
Promethazine can be taken with or without food or milk.
Measure liquid medicine with a marked measuring spoon or medicine cup, not with a regular
table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist for one.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while taking
promethazine.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any
doctor who treats you that you are using promethazine.
Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose of promethazine (oral)?
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 promethazine (oral)?
Your pharmacist has information about promethazine (oral) written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of promethazine (oral)?
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 promethazine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side
effects:
-
twitching, or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue,
face, arms, or legs;
-
tremor (uncontrolled shaking), drooling, trouble
swallowing, problems with balance or walking;
-
feeling restless, jittery, or agitated;
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high fever, stiff muscles, confusion, sweating, fast or
uneven heartbeats, rapid breathing;
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feeling like you might pass out;
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seizure (convulsions);
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pale skin, easy bruising or bleeding, fever, sore throat, flu
symptoms;
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decreased night vision, tunnel vision, watery eyes, increased
sensitivity to light;
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hallucinations, agitation;
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nausea and stomach pain, skin rash, and jaundice
(yellowing of the skin or eyes);
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urinating less than usual or not at all;
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joint pain or swelling with fever, swollen glands, muscle
aches, chest pain, vomiting, unusual thoughts or behavior, and patchy skin color; or
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slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing
(breathing may stop).
Less serious side effects may include:
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dizziness, drowsiness, anxiety;
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blurred vision, dry mouth, stuffy nose;
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ringing in your ears;
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weight gain, swelling in your hands or feet;
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impotence, trouble having an orgasm; or
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constipation.
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 promethazine (oral)?
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have twitching or
uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs. These could be early signs of
dangerous side effects.
Promethazine should not be given to a child younger than 2 years old. Promethazine can
cause severe breathing problems or death in a child younger than 2.
Carefully follow your
doctor's instructions when giving this medicine to a child of any age.
Promethazine 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 promethazine.
There are many other medicines that can 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 promethazine (oral)?
Promethazine 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 getting up too fast from a
sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of promethazine.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Promethazine can make your skin more
sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result. Wear sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and protective
clothing if you must be outdoors.
What other drugs will affect promethazine (oral)?
Cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers,
and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can interact with promethazine and cause medical
problems or increase side effects. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines.
Also tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:
-
lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
-
atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine), belladonna (Donnatal, and
others), benztropine (Cogentin), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or
scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);
-
blood pressure medication such as guanadrel (Hylorel),
guanethidine (Ismelin), propranolol (Inderal), and others;
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
-
bronchodilators such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or
tiotropium (Spiriva);
-
bladder or urinary medications such as oxybutynin
(Ditropan, Oxytrol), solifenacin (Vesicare), and others;
-
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam); or
-
medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, restless leg
syndrome, or pituitary gland tumor (prolactinoma); or
-
medicine to treat stomach ulcer or irritable bowel
syndrome, such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), glycopyrrolate (Robinul), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz,
Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), mepenzolate (Cantil), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine).
This list is not complete and there are many other medicines
that can interact with promethazine.
Tell your doctor about all your prescription and
over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start 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 happens if I have an overdose of promethazine (oral)?
