Promethazine

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used to prevent or treat motion sickness and nausea/vomiting (from various causes).
• It can help prevent symptoms of allergy, be used as a sleeping aid, sedative and help to control pain with pain medicines.

How does it work?

• Promethazine works in preventing or decreasing hormone (dopamine) effects on the brain's vomiting center. By decreasing dopamine's effect on the vomiting center, nausea and vomiting are prevented, decreased, or stopped.

How is it best taken?

• Take tablet or liquid (syrup) with food.
• Take suppository rectally only.
• Take 30 minutes to 1 hour before travel (if for motion sickness) or before whatever is going to cause nausea/vomiting and repeat later as prescribed by healthcare provider.
• A liquid (syrup) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.
• This medicine can be taken on an as needed basis as well.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• If you are 65 or older, you may have more side effects. You could feel sleepy and shaky.
• You may not be alert. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives, tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare provider.
• You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen; wear protective clothing and eyewear.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Feeling sleepy, lightheaded, or unable to think clearly. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Constipation. More liquids, regular exercise, or a fiber-containing diet may help. Talk with healthcare provider about a stool softener or laxative.
• Unable to pass urine. Go to the bathroom before taking medicine. Talk with healthcare provider if it becomes a problem.

What should I monitor?

• Watch for change in symptoms. Is condition better, worse, or about the same?

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Report any involuntary muscle movement or feeling of restlessness.
• Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
• Any rash.
• No improvement in condition or feeling worse.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store suppositories in a refrigerator.
• Store tablets and liquid (syrup) in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

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