Drug Notes

Promethazine (By injection)

Promethazine (proe-METH-a-zeen)

Treats allergies and motion sickness. Also used before and after surgery and other procedures as a sedative and to control pain or nausea and vomiting. This medicine is a phenothiazine.

Brand Name(s):

Phenergan

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Injectable

• Your doctor will prescribe your exact dose and tell you how often it should be given. This medicine is given as a shot into a muscle or into a vein.
• A nurse or other health provider will give you this medicine.
• You may be given a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then you will switch to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

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

• Some medicines can affect how promethazine works. Tell your doctor if you are also using an MAO inhibitor (MAOI).
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, heart or blood vessel disease, glaucoma, a stomach ulcer, bowel problems, an enlarged prostate, bone marrow problems, trouble urinating, seizures, or an allergy to sulfites. Also tell your doctor if you have breathing problems, such as COPD, asthma, or sleep apnea.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Breathing problems, which could be life-threatening
  • Tissue damage where the medicine is injected
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a nerve disorder that can be life-threatening)
  • Liver problems
• This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

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

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Fever, sweating, confusion, uneven heartbeat, muscle stiffness
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Pain, burning, redness, or swelling where the needle is placed
• Seeing or hearing things that are not there (especially in children)
• Seizures
• Trouble breathing, slow breathing
• Twitching or muscle movements you cannot control
• Yellow skin or eyes

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

• Blurred vision
• Nausea, vomiting, constipation

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

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 1/27/2017