Phenergan (Promethazine)

Promethazine tablet

What is this medicine?

PROMETHAZINE is an antihistamine. It relieves moderate to severe allergic reactions, reduces or prevents nausea and vomiting from illness or motion sickness, helps to make you sleep before surgery, and may help with pain relief or nausea after surgery.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• asthma or congestive lung disease
• diabetes
• glaucoma
• high blood pressure or heart disease
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• prostate trouble
• pain or difficulty passing urine
• seizures (convulsions)
• an unusual or allergic reaction to promethazine or phenothiazines, sulfites, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medicine?

Use Phenergan as directed by your doctor. Take Promethazine by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation. If you are using it for motion sickness, take a dose at least 30 to 60 minutes before you begin traveling.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose and you are using it regularly, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to you regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

What drugs may interact with this medicine?

• bromocriptine
• epinephrine
• levodopa
• metoclopramide
• metrizamide
• medicines for diabetes that are taken by mouth
• medicines for mental problems and psychotic disturbances
• medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson’s disease, or for gastrointestinal problems
• alcohol and alcohol containing medicines
• barbiturates such as phenobarbital
• certain antidepressants
• certain antihistamines used in allergy or cold medicines
• medicines for sleep
• muscle relaxants
• prescription pain medicines

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking this medicine?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve in 1 to 2 days.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how promethazine affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol may increase dizziness and drowsiness. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water will help.

Promethazine may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your ophthalmologist if the problem does not go away or is severe.

Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths.

If you are diabetic, check your blood-sugar levels regularly.

What side effects may I notice from this medicine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

• blurred vision
• fainting spells
• irregular heartbeat, palpitations or chest pain
• muscle or facial twitches
• nightmares, agitation, nervousness, excitability, not able to sleep (these are more likely in children)
• pain or difficulty passing urine
• seizures (convulsions)
• skin rash
• slowed or shallow breathing
• sore mouth, gums, or throat
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness
• yellowing of the eyes or skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• drowsiness, dizziness
• dry mouth
• headache
• increased sensitivity to the sun or ultraviolet light
• stuffy nose

This list may not describe all possible side effects.

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children.

Store at room temperature, between 68 to 77 degrees F (20 to 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep tightly closed.