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Promethazide

 

Promethazide (generic Phenergan) Review

brand name: Phenergan
generic names: Promethazine Oral, Promethazine hydrochloride

How does it work?

Promethazine is derived from a group of medicines called phenothiazines, however, it is also part of the family of sedating antihistamines.

Histamine is a chemical in the body that causes the symptoms of an allergic reaction. These can include inflammation of the skin, airways or tissues, rashes, itching of the skin, eyes or nose, nasal congestion and narrowing of the airways. Promethazine blocks the binding of histamine to receptors in many areas of the body and thereby prevents the actions of histamine. This helps prevent and relieve the typical symptoms of an allergic reaction.

Histamine may be released from and act in a small (localised) area of the body e.g the nose. Alternatively, histamine can result in a serious or complete body reaction e.g. anaphylactic reaction. Promethazine is useful for the prevention or relief of localised or less serious allergies such as hay fever or itchy rash in addition to serious allergic reactions such as anaphylaxis.

Promethazine is known as a sedating antihistamine as it enters the brain in significant quantities and causes drowsiness. As a result it is commonly used for the short-term treatment of sleep disturbances and to provide sedation prior to minor procedures or surgery.

Phenergan (Promethazide) is used for:

Relieving allergy symptoms, including hives and nasal congestion. It is used to prevent and control pain and nausea during and after surgery. It is also used to help produce light sleep, and for the prevention of motion sickness. Phenergan (Promethazide) is not to be used to treat asthma. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Phenergan (Promethazide) is a phenothiazine antihistamine. It works by blocking the sights where histamine acts.

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, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
•pregnant or trying to get pregnant
•breast-feeding

Special warnings about Phenergan (Promethazide)

If you are taking other medications that cause sedation, your doctor may reduce the dosage of these medications or eliminate them while you are using Phenergan (Promethazide).

Phenergan (Promethazide) can also cause a potentially fatal condition called Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome. Symptoms include high fever, sweating, rigid muscles, and a rapid or irregular heartbeat. If you develop these symptoms, stop taking Phenergan and see your doctor immediately.

If you have a seizure disorder, Phenergan (Promethazide) may cause your seizures to occur more often.

Phenergan can cause a serious--even fatal--decline in the breathing function. Avoid this medication if you have chronic breathing problems such as emphysema, or if you suffer from sleep apnea (periods during sleep when breathing stops).

Phenergan (Promethazide) may affect the results of pregnancy tests and can raise your blood sugar.

Phenergan (Promethazide) should not be given to children under 2 years of age, and should be used with caution in older children, due to the danger of impaired breathing. Large doses have been known to cause hallucinations, seizures, and sudden death, especially in children who are dehydrated. Drugs such as Phenergan are not recommended for the treatment of vomiting in children unless the problem is severe. Phenergan (Promethazide) should also be avoided if the child has the serious neurological disease known as Reye's syndrome or any disease of the liver.

Some people have developed jaundice (yellow eyes and skin) while on this medication.

Use Phenergan (Promethazide) cautiously if you have heart disease, peptic ulcer or other abdominal obstructions, the eye condition called narrow-angle glaucoma, liver problems, high blood pressure or circulatory problems, or urinary bladder obstruction due to an enlarged prostate.

Tell your doctor if you have any uncontrolled movements or seem to be unusually sensitive to sunlight.

Remember that Phenergan (Promethazide) can cause drowsiness.

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

• Small amounts of this medicine may pass into breast milk. There are risks of harmful effects to the nursing infant. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
  
  
• This medicine can be used with caution during pregnancy. However, it should not be used in the last two weeks of pregnancy due to the risk of adverse effects the baby may experience. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
  
  

Special warnings about Phenergan (Promethazide)

If you are taking other medications that cause sedation, your doctor may reduce the dosage of these medications or eliminate them while you are using Phenergan (Promethazide).

Remember that Phenergan (Promethazide) can cause drowsiness.

Use Phenergan (Promethazide) cautiously if you have heart disease, peptic ulcer or other abdominal obstructions, the eye condition called narrow-angle glaucoma, liver problems, high blood pressure or circulatory problems, or urinary bladder obstruction due to an enlarged prostate.

If you have a seizure disorder, Phenergan (Promethazide) may cause your seizures to occur more often.

Phenergan (Promethazide) can also cause a potentially fatal condition called Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome. Symptoms include high fever, sweating, rigid muscles, and a rapid or irregular heartbeat. If you develop these symptoms, stop taking Phenergan and see your doctor immediately.

Phenergan (Promethazide) may affect the results of pregnancy tests and can raise your blood sugar.

Tell your doctor if you have any uncontrolled movements or seem to be unusually sensitive to sunlight.

Phenergan (Promethazide) can cause a serious--even fatal--decline in the breathing function. Avoid Phenergan if you have chronic breathing problems such as emphysema, or if you suffer from sleep apnea (periods during sleep when breathing stops).

Phenergan (Promethazide) should not be given to children under 2 years of age, and should be used with caution in older children, due to the danger of impaired breathing. Large doses have been known to cause hallucinations, seizures, and sudden death, especially in children who are dehydrated. Drugs such as Phenergan are not recommended for the treatment of vomiting in children unless the problem is severe. Phenergan (Promethazide) should also be avoided if the child has the serious neurological disease known as Reye's syndrome or any disease of the liver.

Some people have developed jaundice (yellow eyes and skin) while on Phenergan (Promethazide).