Promethazine Description

Generic Name : PROMETHAZINE

Pronunciation : (proe meth' a zeen)

Trade Name(s) : Avomine, Phena, Phenergan

Why it is prescribed: Promethazine relieves itchy, red, irritated, watery eyes; runny nose; sneezing; and itchy skin caused by hay fever and allergies. It also is used for motion sickness, before and after surgery as a sedative to relieve apprehension, and to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting.

When it is to be taken: For allergies, promethazine usually is taken at bedtime or before meals and at bedtime. For motion sickness, it is taken 30 to 60 minutes before departure and again if needed in eight to 12 hours. Follow the instructions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor to explain any part that you do not understand. Do not take promethazine more often or take more at each than as prescribed by your doctor.

How it should be taken: Promethazine comes in the form of tablets, oral liquid, and rectal suppositories. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose. You may obtain a specially marked measuring spoon to be sure of an accurate dose of the liquid. To insert a suppository, follow these steps:
1. If the suppository feels soft, hold it under cold, running water for one minute. Then remove the wrapper.
2. Dip the tip of the suppository in water.
3. Lie down on your left side and raise your right knee to your chest.
4. Using your finger, insert the suppository into the rectum, about 1/2 to 1 inch in infants and children and 1 inch in adults.
5. Hold it in place for a few moments. You may get up after about 15 minutes. 6. Wash your hands thoroughly and resume your normal activities.

Special Instruction :
1. Promethazine can cause drowsiness and decrease alertness and coordination. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
2. If you give this drug to a child, watch the child closely while performing dangerous activities such as bike riding.
3. If you forget to take a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it and take any remaining does for that day at evenly spaced intervals. However, if you remember a missed dose near the time you are scheduled to take the next one, omit the missed dose completely. Do not take a double dose.

Side Effects :
1. Dry mouth. Suck sugarless lozenges or hard candies, chew sugarless gum, or drink fluids.
2. Drowsiness, confusion, fatigue, incoordination, stuffy nose. If these effects are severe or persist, contact your doctor.
3. Vision problems, ringing in the ears, tremors, insomnia, excitement, restlessness, nervousness, Yellowing of skin or eyes, skin rash. Contact your doctor.

Other Precautions :
1. Because promethazine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight or sunlamps, wear protective clothing and use a sunscreen preparation.
2. Before taking promethazine, tell your doctor if you have difficulty urinating, glaucoma, epileptic seizures, ulcers, asthma or lung disease, high blood pressure or heart or liver disease.
3. Before you take promethazine, tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially sedatives, tranqulizers, prescription pain medication, sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, and medication for depression, seizures, colds, or allergies.
4. Do not drink alcoholic beverages. Alcohol adds to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
5. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should inform their doctors. Promethazine can cause inaccurate results in pregnancy tests, so tell the laboratory personnel and doctor that you take promethazine if you have a pregnancy test.
6. Before you give promethazine to a child, tell the doctor if you have a family history of sudden infant death syndrome or if you regularly have difficulty waking the child.
7. Do not allow anyone else to take your medication.

Storage Conditions :
1. Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of the reach of children.
2. Store tablets and liquid at room temperature.
3. store suppositories under refrigeration.