What is Promethegan (Promethazine)?

Promethazine is in a group of drugs called phenothiazines (FEEN-oh-THYE-a-zeens). It works by changing the actions of chemicals in your brain. Promethazine also acts as an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in your body.
Promethazine is used to treat allergy symptoms such as itching, runny nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, hives, and itchy skin rashes.
Promethazine also prevents motion sickness, and treats nausea and vomiting or pain after surgery. It is also used as a sedative or sleep aid.
Promethazine is not for use in treating symptoms of asthma, pneumonia, or other lower respiratory tract infections.
Promethazine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Promethegan (Promethazine)?

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs. These could be early signs of dangerous side effects.
Promethazine should not be used in a child younger than 2 years old. Promethazine can cause severe breathing problems or death in a child younger than 2. Carefully follow your doctor’s instructions when giving this medicine to a child of any age.
Do not take promethazine rectal by mouth. It is for use only in your rectum.
Promethazine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of promethazine.
There are many other medicines that can interact with promethazine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Promethegan (Promethazine)?

Promethazine should not be used in a child younger than 2 years old. Promethazine can cause severe breathing problems or death in a child younger than 2. Carefully follow your doctor’s instructions when giving this medicine to a child of any age.
Do not use this medication if you have severe asthma, emphysema, or other breathing problem, or if you are allergic to promethazine or other phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Permitil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine, Compro), thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluoperazine (Stelazine).
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely use this medication. Before using promethazine, tell your doctor if you have:

• a history of seizures
• heart disease or high blood pressure
• liver or kidney disease
• severe asthma, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or other breathing problem
• sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep)
• glaucoma
• a stomach ulcer or digestive obstruction
• bone marrow depression
• adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma)
• enlarged prostate or problems with urination
• low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia); or
• if you have ever had a serious side effect while using promethazine or any other phenothiazine

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether promethazine is harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether promethazine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use promethazine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Older adults may be more likely to have side effects from this medication.

Prometrium Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Prometrium (Progesterone)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
* sudden numbness or weakness, especially on one side of the body
* sudden headache, confusion, pain behind the eyes, problems with vision, speech, or balance
* fast or pounding heartbeats
* chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling
* unusual or unexpected vaginal bleeding
* migraine headache
* nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
* swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
* fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms
* a breast lump; or
* symptoms of depression (sleep problems, weakness, mood changes)
Less serious side effects may include:
* mild nausea, diarrhea, bloating, stomach cramps
* dizziness, spinning sensation
* hot flashes
* mild headache
* joint pain
* breast pain or tenderness
* cough
* acne or increased hair growth
* changes in weight; or
* vaginal itching, dryness, or discharge
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Promethegan Interactions

What other drugs affect Promethegan (Promethazine)?

Cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can interact with promethazine 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 (Atreza, Sal-Tropine), belladonna (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop)
• blood pressure medication such as guanadrel (Hylorel), guanethidine (Ismelin), propranolol (Inderal), and others
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• bronchodilators such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva)
• bladder or urinary medications such as oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), solifenacin (Vesicare), and others
• an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam); or
• medicines to treat Parkinson’s disease, restless leg syndrome, or pituitary gland tumor (prolactinoma); or
• medicine to treat stomach ulcer or irritable bowel syndrome, such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), glycopyrrolate (Robinul), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), mepenzolate (Cantil), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine)

This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can interact with promethazine. 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.

What should I avoid while taking Promethegan (Promethazine)?

Promethazine can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and 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.
Avoid drinking alcohol. Alcohol can increase drowsiness and dizziness caused by promethazine.
Avoid exposure to sunlight or tanning beds. Promethazine can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight, and a sunburn may result. Wear sunscreen (SPF 15 or higher) and protective clothing if you must be outdoors.

Promethegan Dosage

How should I take Promethegan (Promethazine)?

Use this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not use the medication in larger or smaller amounts, or use it for longer than recommended by your doctor.
This medication comes with patient instructions for using the rectal suppository. Follow these directions carefully. Ask your doctor or pharmacist if you have any questions.
Do not take promethazine by mouth. It is for use only in your rectum.
Try to empty your bowel and bladder just before using the promethazine suppository.
Remove the outer wrapper from the suppository before inserting it. Avoid handling the suppository too long or it will melt in your hands.
For best results from the suppository, lie down after inserting it and hold in the suppository for a few minutes. The suppository will melt quickly once inserted and you should feel little or no discomfort while holding it in. Avoid using the bathroom just after you have inserted the suppository.
Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse while using promethazine.
This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using promethazine.
Store the rectal suppositories in the refrigerator but do not allow them to freeze.

What happens if I overdose on Promethegan (Promethazine)?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include severe drowsiness, dizziness, dry mouth, large pupils, flushing, nausea, vomiting, shallow breathing, and fainting.

What happens if I miss a dose of Promethegan (Promethazine)?

Use the medication as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and wait until your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not use extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com