Promethazine (Injection)

Introduction

Promethazine (proe-METH-a-zeen)

Prevents and controls motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. Also used to relieve or prevent allergic reactions, helps people go to sleep, and control their pain or anxiety before or after surgery or other procedures.

Brand Name(s)

Phenergan, Amerinet Choice Promethazine Hydrochloride

There may be other brand names for this medicine.

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used

You should not receive this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to promethazine or to other similar medicines (such as prochlorperazine, Compazine®, Mellaril®, Thorazine®, or Trilafon®). You should not receive this medicine if you have breathing or lung problems (such as asthma, COPD) or sleep apnea. This medicine should not be given to children under 2 years old, and to patients under comatose state (unconscious state).

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 trained health professional will give you this medicine.
• Your doctor will give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then switch you to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.

If a dose is missed:

• Call your doctor or pharmacist for instructions.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

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

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using atropine, epinephrine, or an MAO inhibitor (such as Eldepryl®, Marplan®, Nardil®, or Parnate®).
• Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine..
• Tell your doctor if you are using any medicines that make you sleepy. These include sleeping pills, cold and allergy medicine, narcotic pain relievers, and sedatives.

Warnings While Using This Medicine

• Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, heart or blood vessel disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, narrow-angle glaucoma, an overactive thyroid, respiratory depression, stomach ulcers, bowel problems, an enlarged prostate, seizure disorders (epilepsy), or a history of neuroleptic malignant syndrome.
• Check with your doctor right away if you or your child have burning, persistent, or worsening pain at the injection site; or any involuntary muscle movements after receiving this medicine.
• This medicine lowers the number of some types of blood cells in your body. Because of this, you may bleed or get infections more easily. To help with these problems, avoid being near people who are sick or have infections. Wash your hands often. Stay away from rough sports or other situations where you could be bruised, cut, or injured. Brush and floss your teeth gently. Be careful when using sharp objects, including razors and fingernail clippers.
• Check with your doctor right away if you or your child are having convulsions, difficulty in breathing, fast heartbeat, high fever, high or low blood pressure, increased sweating, loss of bladder control, severe muscle stiffness, unusually pale skin, or tiredness. These could be symptoms of a serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS).
• This medicine contains sodium metabisulfite. Make sure your doctor knows if you or your child have had an allergic reaction to sulfite in the past.
• Check with your doctor right away if you have pain or tenderness in the upper stomach; pale stools; dark urine; loss of appetite; nausea; unusual tiredness or weakness; or yellow eyes or skin. These could be symptoms of a liver problem.
• Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect the results of certain medical tests.
• This medicine may make you drowsy or dizzy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and 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
• Blue lips, fingernails, or skin.
• Blurred vision, ringing in the ears.
• Chills, cough, sore throat, and body aches.
• Fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat.
• Fever, sweating, confusion, or muscle stiffness.
• Lightheadedness or fainting.
• Pain, burning, redness, or swelling where the needle or shot was given.
• Shortness of breath, slow or troubled breathing.
• Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.
• Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

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

• Bad dreams, agitation, or unusual excitement.
• Constipation.
• Drowsiness or dizziness.
• Dry mouth.
• Nausea or vomiting.
• Rash or itching skin.
• Sensitive skin to sunlight.
• Trouble sleeping, restlessness, or depression.

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