Therapeutic ClassificationsGastrointestinal Agent
Pharmacologic ClassificationsAntihistamine
QUICK LINKS
- Blackbox Warning
- Overview
- Proper Use
- Dosing
- Missed Dose
- Use & Storage
- Before Using
- Allergies
- Pediatric
- Geriatric
- Pregnancy
- Breast Feeding
- Drug Interactions
- Other Interactions
- Other Medical Problems
- Precautions
- Chemical Classifications
Blackbox WarningTOP
Promethazine hydrochloride should not be used in pediatric patients less than 2 years old because of the potential for fatal respiratory depression. Exercise caution when administering to pediatric patients 2 years or older and use at the lowest effective dose. Avoid concomitant use of other drugs with respiratory depressant effects .
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OverviewTOP
Promethazine is used to relieve or prevent the symptoms of hay fever, allergic conjunctivitis (inflammation of the eye), and other types of allergy or allergic reactions. It works by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine, which is produced by the body. Histamine can cause itching, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. It can sometimes close up the bronchial tubes (air passages of the lungs) and make breathing difficult .
Promethazine is also used to prevent and control motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. In addition, it may be used to help people go to sleep and control their pain or anxiety before or after surgery or other procedures .
Promethazine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor .
This medicine is only available with your doctor's prescription .
Proper UseTOP
Never take rectal suppositories by mouth.
Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine.
To insert suppository: First remove the foil wrapper and moisten the suppository with cold water. Lie down on your side and use your finger to push the suppository well up into the rectum. If the suppository is too soft to insert, chill the suppository in the refrigerator for 30 minutes or run cold water over it before removing the foil wrapper.
DosingTOP
The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
- For rectal dosage form (suppositories):
- For allergy symptoms:
- Adults and teenagers—12.5 milligrams (mg) before meals and at bedtime; or 25 mg at bedtime as needed.
- Children 2 years of age and older—Your doctor will determine dose based on the weight and/or size of the child. The dose is usually 6.25 to 12.5 mg three times a day; or 25 mg at bedtime as needed.
- Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
- For prevention of motion sickness:
- Adults and teenagers—25 mg twice daily; this initial dose should be taken one-half to one hour before traveling. The dose may be repeated eight to twelve hours later if needed. On other days of travel, 25 mg may be taken on arising and again before the evening meal.
- Children 2 years of age and older—Your doctor will determine dose based on the weight and/or size of the child. The dose is usually 12.5 to 25 mg one-half to one hour before traveling. The dose may be repeated eight to twelve hours later if needed.
- Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
- For nausea and vomiting:
- Adults and teenagers—25 mg for the first dose, then 12.5 to 25 mg every four to six hours if needed.
- Children 2 years of age and older—Your doctor will determine dose based on the weight and/or size of the child. The dose is usually 0.5 mg per pound of body weight (1.1 mg per kg) or 12.5 to 25 mg every four to six hours as needed.
- Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
- For sedation:
- Adults and teenagers—25 to 50 mg.
- Children 2 years of age and older—Your doctor will determine dose based on the weight and/or size of the child. The dose is usually 12.5 to 25 mg.
- Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
- For control of pain or anxiety before or after surgery:
- Adults and teenagers—50 mg the night before surgery; 25 to 50 mg after surgery.
- Children 2 years of age and older—Your doctor will determine dose based on the weight and/or size of the child. The dose is usually 0.5 mg per pound of body weight (1.1 mg per kg) or 12.5 to 25 mg the night before surgery or after the surgery.
- Children younger than 2 years of age—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
- For allergy symptoms:
Missed DoseTOP
If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.
Use & StorageTOP
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.
Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.
Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.
Keep out of the reach of children.
Before UsingTOP
In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:
AllergiesTOP
Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.
PediatricTOP
Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of promethazine in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established in children below 2 years of age. Caution should be used when this medicine is given to children 2 years of age and older .
GeriatricTOP
Insufficient information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of promethazine in geriatric patients. However, elderly patients may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medicine (such as confusion and severe drowsiness) than in younger adults, and are more likely to have age-related heart or blood vessel disease, liver problems, and kidney disease, which may require adjustment of dosage in patients receiving promethazine .
PregnancyTOP
| Pregnancy Category | Explanation | |
|---|---|---|
| All Trimesters | C | Animal studies have shown an adverse effect and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR no animal studies have been conducted and there are no adequate studies in pregnant women. |
Breast FeedingTOP
There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.
Drug InteractionsTOP
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with this medication or change some of the other medicines you take.
- Amifampridine
- Amisulpride
- Bepridil
- Bromopride
- Cisapride
- Dronedarone
- Mesoridazine
- Pimozide
- Piperaquine
- Saquinavir
- Sodium Oxybate
- Sparfloxacin
- Terfenadine
- Thioridazine
- Tranylcypromine
- Ziprasidone
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Alfentanil
- Alfuzosin
- Amiodarone
- Amitriptyline
- Amoxapine
- Anagrelide
- Apomorphine
- Aripiprazole
- Aripiprazole Lauroxil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Asenapine
- Astemizole
- Azithromycin
- Benzhydrocodone
- Bromazepam
- Buprenorphine
- Bupropion
- Buserelin
- Butorphanol
- Carbinoxamine
- Chloroquine
- Chlorpromazine
- Ciprofloxacin
- Citalopram
- Clarithromycin
- Clomipramine
- Clozapine
- Codeine
- Crizotinib
- Dabrafenib
- Dasatinib
- Degarelix
- Delamanid
- Desipramine
- Deslorelin
- Deutetrabenazine
- Dihydrocodeine
- Disopyramide
- Dofetilide
- Dolasetron
- Domperidone
- Donepezil
- Doxylamine
- Droperidol
- Efavirenz
- Erythromycin
- Escitalopram
- Fentanyl
- Fingolimod
- Flecainide
- Flibanserin
- Fluconazole
- Fluoxetine
- Foscarnet
- Gatifloxacin
- Gemifloxacin
- Glycopyrrolate
- Gonadorelin
- Goserelin
- Granisetron
- Halofantrine
- Haloperidol
- Histrelin
- Hydrocodone
- Hydromorphone
- Hydroxychloroquine
- Hydroxyzine
- Ibutilide
- Iloperidone
- Imipramine
- Inotuzumab Ozogamicin
- Isradipine
- Ivabradine
- Ketoconazole
- Lapatinib
- Leuprolide
- Levofloxacin
- Levorphanol
- Lithium
- Lofexidine
- Lopinavir
- Loxapine
- Lumefantrine
- Macimorelin
- Meclizine
- Mefloquine
- Meperidine
- Methadone
- Metoclopramide
- Metrizamide
- Metronidazole
- Mifepristone
- Morphine
- Morphine Sulfate Liposome
- Moxifloxacin
- Nafarelin
- Nalbuphine
- Nilotinib
- Norfloxacin
- Nortriptyline
- Octreotide
- Ofloxacin
- Ondansetron
- Osimertinib
- Oxycodone
- Oxymorphone
- Paliperidone
- Panobinostat
- Pasireotide
- Pazopanib
- Pentamidine
- Pentazocine
- Periciazine
- Pimavanserin
- Pitolisant
- Posaconazole
- Procainamide
- Procarbazine
- Prochlorperazine
- Propafenone
- Protriptyline
- Quetiapine
- Quinine
- Ranolazine
- Remifentanil
- Ribociclib
- Salmeterol
- Secretin Human
- Sertraline
- Sevoflurane
- Sodium Phosphate
- Sodium Phosphate, Dibasic
- Sodium Phosphate, Monobasic
- Solifenacin
- Sorafenib
- Sotalol
- Sufentanil
- Sulpiride
- Sunitinib
- Tacrolimus
- Tapentadol
- Telavancin
- Telithromycin
- Tetrabenazine
- Tiotropium
- Toremifene
- Tramadol
- Trifluoperazine
- Trimipramine
- Triptorelin
- Vandetanib
- Vardenafil
- Vemurafenib
- Vinflunine
- Voriconazole
- Zolpidem
- Zuclopenthixol
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Aminolevulinic Acid
- Belladonna
- Belladonna Alkaloids
- Betel Nut
- Evening Primrose
- Midodrine
- Phenylalanine
Other InteractionsTOP
Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.
Other Medical ProblemsTOP
The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:
- Brain disease or injury or
- Breathing or lung problems (e.g., asthma) or
- Comatose state (unconscious) or
- Reye's syndrome or
- Sleep apnea, history of—Promethazine should NOT be used in patients with any of these conditions .
- Bone marrow disease or
- Enlarged prostate or
- Glaucoma or
- Heart or blood vessel disease or
- Intestinal tract obstruction or
- Jaundice or
- Liver disease or
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome, or history of, or
- Stomach ulcer or
- Urinary tract blockage or difficult urination—Use with caution. This medicine may make these conditions worse .
- Seizure disorders—This medicine may increase the chance of seizures especially in patients who are also using narcotic or anesthetic medicines .
PrecautionsTOP
It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects .
This medicine may affect blood sugar levels. If you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests or if you have any questions, check with your doctor .
This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy, lightheaded, drowsy, or less alert than they are normally. Even if taken at bedtime, it may cause some people to feel drowsy or less alert on arising. Make sure you know how you react to this medicine before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert .
This medicine will add to the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants (medicines that make you drowsy or less alert). Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, other allergies, or colds; sedatives, tranquilizers, antidepressants, or sleeping medicine; prescription pain medicine or narcotics; barbiturates; medicine for seizures; muscle relaxants; or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your medical doctor or dentist before taking any of the above while you are taking this medicine.
Check with your doctor right away if you have symptoms of pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin; difficult or troubled breathing; irregular, fast, slow, or shallow breathing; or shortness of breath. These could be signs of a condition called respiratory depression .
Check with your doctor right away and stop taking your medicine (if directed by your doctor) if you have muscle stiffness, fever, difficult or fast breathing, seizures, fast heartbeat, increased sweating, loss of bladder control, unusually pale skin, or tiredness or weakness. These may be symptoms of a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) .
Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests may be affected by this medicine .
This medicine may cause dryness of the mouth. For temporary relief, use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute. However, if your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, check with your medical doctor or dentist. Continuing dryness of the mouth may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections .
This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds .
This medicine controls nausea and vomiting. For this reason, it may cover up some of the signs of overdose caused by other medicines or the symptoms of encephalopathy or Reye's syndrome. This will make it difficult for your doctor to diagnose these conditions. Make sure your doctor knows that you are using this medicine .
