Promethazine (By Mouth)

Promethazine (proe-METH-a-zeen)

Treats, motion sickness, nausea and vomiting. Also treats hay fever and allergy symptoms.

Brand Name(s):

Phenergan, Pentazine, Promacot
There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

You should not use this medicine if you have ever had an allergic reaction to any phenothiazine medicine, such as prochlorperazine (Compazine®), chlorpromazine (Thorazine®), or thioridazine (Mellaril®).

How to Use This Medicine:

Tablet, Liquid

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to take and how often.
• You may take your medicine with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.

If a dose is missed:

• Use your medicine as soon as you remember that you have missed your dose.
• If it is nearly time for your next dose, wait until then to use the medicine and skip the missed dose.
• You should not use two doses at one time.

How to Store and Dispose of This Medicine:

• Keep your medicine at room temperature, away from heat, light, and moisture. Do not freeze the oral liquid.
• Keep all medicine away from children.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Avoid drinking alcohol while using this medicine.
• Unless approved by your doctor, you should not use with monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors (Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®), sleeping pills, cold or allergy medicine, tranquilizers, or narcotic pain-killers.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor before using this medicine.
• Promethazine may cause drowsiness. Take your first dose at a time and place where you can lie down if needed. Do not drive or operate dangerous machinery until you know how the medicine makes you feel.
• Check with your doctor before taking this medicine if you have sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep), glaucoma, an enlarged prostate, stomach ulcer, or seizures (epilepsy).

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Severe drowsiness
• Trouble breathing
• Convulsions (seizures)
• Uncontrollable movements of the eyes, neck, or tongue

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth or throat
• Thickening of mucus
• Nausea or vomiting

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.