What is Phenergan?
Phenergan Tablets contain a medicine called promethazine hydrochloride.
This belongs to a group of medicines called phenothiazines. It works by blocking a natural substance (histamine) that your body makes during an allergic reaction. It also works directly on the brain to help you feel more relaxed.
It is used to treat allergies, trouble sleeping, and nausea. It may help with some symptoms associated with the common cold. It may also be used for sedating people who are agitated or anxious.
Recommendations for use of Phenergan (Promethazine)
Phenergan is an antihistamine used to treat a number of conditions:
allergies - allergic contact dermatitis, hives, hayfever, bites and stings
respiratory symptoms due to allergies - runny nose
nausea and vomiting - motion sickness
assists in the management of the symptoms of chicken pox and measles by acting as a sedative
for short-term use for sedation on the advice of a pharmacist or doctor - do not use for more than 7-10 days
Antihistamines help reduce allergic symptoms by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine.
Histamine is produced by the body in response to foreign substances that the body is allergic to.
Your pharmacist or doctor may have recommended Phenergan for another reason.
Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions about this medicine.
Phenergan must not be used in children under 2 years of age, due to the potential for fatal respiratory depression.
Dosage and direction of taking Phenergan (Promethazine)
Read the Medication Guide and the Patient Information Leaflet provided by your pharmacist before you start using Phenergan and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Phenergan is often taken 2 to 4 times daily.
For allergies, this medication may be taken once daily at bedtime to avoid being drowsy during the day.
For motion sickness, Phenergan is usually started within 1 hour before traveling.
When used for surgery, Phenergan is usually taken the night before the surgery.
The dosage is based on your age, medical condition, and response to treatment. In children, the dosage may also be based on weight. Do not increase your dose or take this medication more often than directed.
Do not take for longer than 7 days. If your symptoms worsen or do not improve after 7 days talk to your doctor or pharmacist
If you feel the effect of your medicine is too weak or too strong, do not change the dose yourself, but ask your doctor
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using Phenergan.
Missed Dose of Phenergan (Promethazine)
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time to take your next dose. Do not take an dose of medicine to make up the missed dose.
Overdose of Phenergan (Promethazine)
If you think you have taken more than the required dose contact a poison control center or emergency room at once. NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
Overdose symptoms may include overactive reflexes, loss of coordination, severe drowsiness or weakness, fainting, dilated pupils, weak or shallow breathing, or seizure (convulsions).
How does Phenergan (Promethazine) work?
Phenergan is used to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting related to certain conditions (such as motion sickness, or before/after surgery). It is also used to treat allergy symptoms such as rash, itching, and runny nose. It may be used to help you feel sleepy/relaxed before and after surgery or to help certain narcotic pain relievers (such as meperidine) work better. The suppository form is used when medications cannot be taken by mouth.
Promethazine is an antihistamine and works by blocking a certain natural substance (histamine) that your body makes during an allergic reaction. Its other effects (such as anti-nausea, calming, pain relief) may work by affecting other natural substances (such as acetylcholine) and by acting directly on certain parts of the brain.
Precautions before taking Phenergan (Promethazine)
Phenergan should not be given to a child younger than 2 years old. Phenergan can cause severe breathing problems or death in very young children. Carefully follow your doctor's instructions when giving this medicine to a child of any age.
You should not take Phenergan if you are allergic to promethazine or to similar medicines such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, mesoridazine, perphenazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine, or trifluperazine.
You should not take Phenergan if you have asthma or another lower respiratory tract disorder.
Before taking Phenergan, tell your doctor if you have:
asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, or other breathing disorder
a sulfite allergy
a history of seizures
a weak immune system (bone marrow depression)
glaucoma
enlarged prostate or problems with urination
stomach ulcer or obstruction
heart disease or high blood pressure
liver disease
adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma)
low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia)
if you have ever had a serious side effect while using promethazine or any other phenothiazine.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use Phenergan or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
This medicine may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be 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.
Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of Phenergan. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds as Phenergan can make you sunburn more easily.
About other prescription and nonprescription medicines, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take. Taking Phenergan together with certain medicines or products may cause serious, life-threatening side effects.
Side Effects of Phenergan (Promethazine)
Phenergan may have unwanted side effects in some people. All medicines can have side effects. Sometimes they are serious, most of the time they are not. You may need medical treatment if you get some of the side effects.
Tell your pharmacist or doctor as soon as possible if you do not feel well while you are taking Phenergan.
Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you notice any of the following and they worry you:
dry mouth, nose & throat
stomach upset
loss of appetite
nausea or vomiting
diarrhoea or constipation
tiredness or sleepiness
restlessness
blurred vision
incoordination
fatigue
faintness
headache
nightmares in children
increased sensitivity of the skin to sun. These are mild side effects of the medicine and are short-lived.
Tell your pharmacist or doctor immediately if you notice any of the following:
fever
difficulty breathing
irregular heart beat
jaundice - yellow tinge to skin or eyes
tremors or convulsions
tinnitus - buzzing, hissing, ringing or other persistent noise in the ears
seizures (fits)
hallucinations
extreme happiness, excitation
hysteria
nervousness and irritability
agitation
anxiety
twitching or jerking muscles
muscle cramps or stiffness
dizziness, lightheadedness
faintness
severe headache
confusion
excessive sweating
difficulty passing urine
inability to sleep
frequent infections such as fever, severe chills, sore throat or mouth ulcers. This may indicate a lack of white blood cells.
unusual bleeding or bruising
involuntary upward movement of the eyes, staring The above list includes serious side effects that may require medical attention. Serious side effects are rare. If any of the following happen, tell your doctor immediately or go to Accident and Emergency at your nearest hospital:
wheezing or difficulty breathing
swelling of the face, lips, tongue or other parts of the body
skin rashes
The above list includes very serious side effects. You may need urgent medical attention or hospitalisation. These side effects are very rare. Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you notice anything that is making you feel unwell.
Other side effects not listed above may occur in some patients. Do not be alarmed by the lists of possible side effects. You may not experience any of them. Ask your pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions.
Interaction with Phenergan (Promethazine)
Inform your doctor about any medications that you are taking including prescription medications, over the counter medications, vitamins, supplements and herbal remedies. Do not start, stop and change the dosage of any medicine without your doctor's permission.
Cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can interact with Phenergan 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, belladonna, benztropine, dimenhydrinate, methscopolamine, or scopolamine
blood pressure medication such as guanadrel, guanethidine, propranolol, and others
a blood thinner such as warfarin
bronchodilators such as ipratropium or tiotropium
bladder or urinary medications such as oxybutynin, solifenacin, and others
a MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid, tranylcypromine, phenelzine, or selegiline or methylene blue injection
medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, restless leg syndrome, or pituitary gland tumor (prolactinoma)
medicine to treat stomach ulcer or irritable bowel syndrome, such as dicyclomine, glycopyrrolate, hyoscyamine, mepenzolate, or propantheline.
This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can interact with Phenergan. 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.
Storage of Phenergan (Promethazine)
Keep this medicine out of the sight and reach of children.
Store at 15°C - 30°C (59°F - 77°F); protect drug from excessive light, humidity, and temperature over 30°C (86°F)
Keep Phenergan tablets in the container that they came in and keep the container tightly closed.
Throw away capsules that are no longer needed or expired (out of date).
Medicines should not be disposed of via waste water or household waste. Ask your pharmacist how to dispose of medicines no longer required. This will help to protect the environment.
Phenergan should not be used after the given expiration date.
Scientific Information about Phenergan or Promethazine
Formula: Phenergan | C17H20N2S
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