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| Pronunciation |
|
 (proe
METH a
zeen) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Anergan®;
Phenergan® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Antiemetic |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to another phenothiazine, promethazine, or any
other part of the medicine.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- 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.
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| How does it work? |
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- 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.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- 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.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- 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.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- 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 activities
until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines
and herbs 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.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Feeling sleepy, lightheaded, or unable to think clearly. Avoid
driving, doing other tasks or activities 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.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Watch for change in symptoms. Is condition better, worse, or about the
same?
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- 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.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store suppositories in a refrigerator.
- Store tablets and liquid (syrup) in a tight, light-resistant container
at room temperature.
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| General statements |
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- 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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