Promethazine HCl

Promethazine hydrochloride (HCl) is an antihistamine marketed by Baxter Healthcare. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved promethazine HCl in 1951. Hikma acquired the rights to this medication from Baxter in 2011.

Promethazine has been around for nearly a century. The drug blocks the body's natural production of histamines. This is how the drug stops allergy symptoms. Unfortunately, promethazine has unpleasant side effects. These severe side effects can be dangerous for certain patients, especially children.

Here, we'll describe the side effects of promethazine. We'll also explain who should avoid taking this prescription drug. Finally, we'll briefly discuss what to do if you or your loved one become sick after using promethazine or other prescription medication.

What Does Promethazine Treat?

Promethazine is an antihistamine. Doctors typically prescribe these drugs to help patients suffering from allergies. This particular drug is only available with a prescription. There are many other over-the-counter allergy medications. But prescription-strength antihistamines, such as promethazine, help treat other conditions as well.

Doctors prescribe Phenergan (a brand name for promethazine) to treat the following conditions:

• A runny, stuffy nose from allergies or "hay fever"
• Mild allergic skin reactions
• Itchy, watery eyes from foods and inhaled allergies
• Rhinitis
• Conjunctivitis
• Allergic reactions to plasma or blood
• Motion sickness
• Dermographism (a type of hives called "skin writing")
• Severe allergic reactions treated with epinephrine or other

Unlike over-the-counter allergy medicines, clinicians also prescribe promethazine for other purposes, such as:

• Sedation
• Control and prevention of vomiting and nausea
• Anxiety relief
• Assistance with sleep
• In combination with pain medications such as meperidine or codeine

Like most other prescription drugs, there are adverse side effects of promethazine.

Promethazine Side Effects

For most people, the side effects of promethazine are minor. They often disappear within a few hours of taking the drug.

The most common side effects of promethazine include:

• Drowsiness
• Constipation
• CNS depression
• Dry mouth
• Jaundice
• Neuroleptic malignant syndrome
• Changes in blood pressure
• Skin reactions
• Blurred vision
• Breathing problems

After one dose of promethazine, there may be abnormal movements or increased excitability. If this happens, discuss using another medicine with your healthcare professional. This applies if you ever suffer severe complications after your promethazine use.

Who Should Not Use Promethazine

Certain patients should avoid using promethazine. This medication causes respiratory depression. This can be dangerous for patients with certain conditions.

The following people should not take promethazine:

• Children younger than two years old
• Unconscious patients
• Anyone allergic to promethazine, any of the ingredients in promethazine, or other phenothiazines
• People with lung problems
• Children who are vomiting
• People with breathing problems such as sleep apnea
• Those suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Patients with seizure disorders
• Patients taking drugs that affect blood cell production
• People with bone marrow issues

If you suffer from any of these conditions, tell your doctor. Your doctor must check for any potential drug interactions. Let them know if you take other medications, vitamins, and supplements.

What To Tell Your Healthcare Professional

Talk to your healthcare professional before starting promethazine. They must explain the risks and side effects of the drug. They also need to check to see if it's safe for you to take this medication.

Let your doctor know if you have:

• Bone marrow depression
• Enlarged prostate
• Narrow-angle glaucoma
• A stomach ulcer
• Intestinal or bladder blockage
• Heart or liver problems
• Lung or breathing problems
• Sleep apnea
• Seizures

You should also tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Potential Drug Interactions

Promethazine can adversely interact with other medicines. Tell your healthcare professional about every medicine, vitamin, and herbal supplement you take.

Specifically, mention if you are taking any of the following:

• Medicines affecting your brain, such as pain medicines, antidepressants, anti-anxiety medicine, narcotics, sleeping pills, tranquilizers, or sedatives
• Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) that treat mental disorders, including depression
• Epinephrine
• Anticholinergic medicines

When taken with promethazine, these medications can prove dangerous.

FDA Alert

In April 2006, the FDA issued an alert notifying healthcare professionals and the public that doctors should not give promethazine HCl to children less than two years old. The drug can cause breathing problems in pediatric patients.

Parents and caregivers should get a healthcare professional's advice about giving promethazine to children over the age of two. Baxter Healthcare has changed the labeling on all promethazine HCl products to reflect these warnings.

Getting Legal Help

Under product liability law, drug manufacturers have a duty to make their products as reasonably safe as possible. They must also inform the medical community and public of any known risks of their drugs.

If a manufacturer fails to issue these warnings, the courts may hold them legally responsible for patient injuries. Patients may be able to collect the following types of damages in their product liability lawsuit:

• Medical expenses
• Future medical bills
• Lost wages
• Lost future income
• Pain and suffering

If you or a loved one has experienced any dangerous symptoms while taking promethazine, contact a healthcare professional. You should also talk to an experienced product liability attorney. Visit FindLaw.com's attorney directory to find a lawyer near you.