Pronunciation: proe-METH-a-zeen
Generic Name: Promethazine
Brand Name: Phenergan
Promethazine should not be used in children younger than 2 years old. Potentially fatal side effects (eg, difficult or slowed breathing, drowsiness leading to coma) may occur in this age group when taking Promethazine.
Caution should be used when using Promethazine in children 2 years old and older. The lowest possible dose should be used in this age group, and it should not be used with other medicines that cause slowed breathing.
Promethazine is used for:
Relieving allergy symptoms, including hives or runny nose. It is used to prevent and control nausea and vomiting during and after surgery. It is also used to help produce light sleep; prevent and treat motion sickness; or treat pain after surgery, in combination with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
Promethazine is a phenothiazine antihistamine. It works by blocking the sites where histamine acts.
Do NOT use Promethazine if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Promethazine
- you have severe central nervous system depression or are in a coma
- you are also taking astemizole, cisapride, terfenadine, or tramadol
Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.
Before using Promethazine:
Some medical conditions may interact with Promethazine. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have nervous system problems, bone marrow depression, heart problems, a blood disease, glaucoma, increased eye pressure, low blood pressure, liver problems, prostate problems, Parkinson disease, seizures, or Reye syndrome
- if you regularly consume large amounts of alcohol
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Promethazine. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:
- Charcoal or lithium because they may decrease Promethazine's effectiveness
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), astemizole, cisapride, general anesthetics (eg, thiopental), methyldopa, terfenadine, or tramadol because side effects, such as low blood pressure and seizures, may occur
- ACE inhibitors (eg, enalapril), haloperidol, lithium, meperidine, metrizamide, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (eg, phenelzine), naltrexone, polypeptide antibiotics (eg, actinomycin), or trazodone because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Promethazine
- Bromocriptine, epinephrine, levodopa, or pergolide because their effectiveness may be decreased by Promethazine
This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Promethazine may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Promethazine:
Use Promethazine as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Promethazine by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
- If you are using Promethazine for motion sickness, take a dose at least 30 to 60 minutes before you begin traveling.
- If you miss a dose of Promethazine 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 your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Promethazine.
Important safety information:
- Promethazine may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Promethazine with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
- Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Promethazine; it may add to their effects. Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a possibly fatal syndrome that can be caused by Promethazine. Symptoms may include fever; stiff muscles; confusion; abnormal thinking; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating. Contact your doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.
- Promethazine may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Promethazine. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
- Use Promethazine with extreme caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.
- Promethazine should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 2 years old. Serious, and sometimes fatal, side effects (difficult or slowed breathing, drowsiness leading to coma) have occurred when Promethazine has been used in children in this age group.
- Promethazine should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN 2 years old or older. The lowest effective dose should be used in children 2 years old or older.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Promethazine while you are pregnant. Promethazine is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Promethazine, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.
Possible side effects of Promethazine:
All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:
Blurred vision; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; nausea; vomiting.
Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:
Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); confusion; excessive sweating; fainting; fever, chills, or sore throat; hallucinations; mental or mood changes (eg, agitation, delirium, exaggerated sense of well-being, excitability, hysteria, nervousness); seizures; severe of persistent dizziness; shortness of breath or trouble breathing; slow or fast heartbeat; tremor; trouble sleeping; uncontrolled muscle movements; unusual brusing or bleeding; yellowing of skin or eyes.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.
See also: Promethazine side effects (in more detail)
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include convulsions; dry mouth; flushing; hallucinations; loss of consciousness; nightmares; seizures; shortness of breath; trouble breathing; unusual drowsiness or restlessness.
Proper storage of Promethazine:
Store Promethazine 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. Keep Promethazine out of the reach of children and away from pets.
General information:
- If you have any questions about Promethazine, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
- Promethazine is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
- If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.
- Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.
This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Promethazine. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
More Promethazine resources
- Promethazine Side Effects (in more detail)
- Promethazine Dosage
- Promethazine Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
- Drug Images
- Promethazine Drug Interactions
- Promethazine Support Group
- 67 Reviews for Promethazine - Add your own review/rating
Compare Promethazine with other medications
- Allergic Reactions
- Anaphylaxis
- Hay Fever
- Light Sedation
- Motion Sickness
- Nausea/Vomiting
- Opiate Adjunct
- Sedation
- Urticaria
- Vertigo
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