What is Promethazine?
Promethazine is available in the group of drugs called phenothiazines. Promethazine works as an antihistamine. This blocks the effects of naturally occurring chemical histamine in the body.
Promethazine is used for the treatment of allergy symptoms which includes itching, runny nose, sneezing and hives. The medication also helps in preventing motion sickness and also treats nausea and vomiting or pain after surgery. This is also used as a sedative and sleep aid.
Promethazine Uses
Promethazine is used for the prevention of nausea and vomiting which is related to certain conditions like after surgery and motion sickness.The medication is also used to help you feel sleepy and relaxed after surgery. Promethazine belongs to the drug called antihistamine and this works by blocking some natural substance that the body makes during the allergic reaction. Promethazine medication is also used for relaxing patients before surgery, during labour and during other times
Side Effects:
Most of the common side effects of Promethazine are:
- Dry mouth
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Nervousness
- Stuffy nose
- Itching
Some of the serious side effects of Promethazine are:
- Wheezing
- Slowed breathing
- Fever
- Sweating
- Stiff muscles
- Decreased alertness
- Irregular heartbeat
- Seizures
- Rashes
- Hives
If you have any of these serious symptoms immediately contact your doctor for further assistance. In any case, due to Promethazine if you get any kind of reactions in your body try avoiding it.
A doctor advised you to take the medicines by seeing your problems and the benefits of this medicine are greater than the side effects. Majority of the people who use this medicine don’t show any side effects. Get medical help immediately if you get any serious Promethazine side effects.
Precautions:
Before using Promethazine talk with your doctor if you are allergic to it or some other medications. The product may contain some inactive ingredients that can cause some serious allergic reactions or some other serious problems.
Before using the Promethazine talk to your doctor if you are having any medical history such as:
- Breathing problems
- Immune system problems
- Glaucoma
- Heart disease
- High blood pressure
- Liver disease
- Brain disorders
- stomach intestine
Promethazine can cause dizzy or drowsiness. Avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking Promethazine.
How to take Promethazine?
Promethazine comes in the form of tablet and syrup. For the treatment of allergies, Promethazine is taken one to four times a day before a meal or during bedtime. For relieving the treatment of cold symptoms Promethazine should be taken 4 to 6 hours as needed. For treating motion sickness the medicine should be taken 30 to 60 minutes before travelling and after 8 to 12 hours if needed. When Promethazine is used for the treatment of nausea and vomiting it is normally taken 4 to 6 hours as needed.
Dosage:
Forms and Strengths
Generic: Promethazine
- Form: oral tablet
- Strengths: 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg
Dosage for allergies
Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)
- Promethazine 25 mg taken during bedtime.
- Promethazine 12.5 mg taken before meals or at bedtime
- Dosage ranging from 6.25 mg to 12.5 mg is taken 3 times a day.
Dosage for motion sickness
Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)
- Promethazine 25 mg is taken twice in a day.
Dosage for nausea and vomiting
Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)
- Promethazine 12.5 mg and 25 mg can be taken in every 4 to 6 hours as needed.
Dosage for use as a sleep aid
Adult dosage (ages 18–64 years)
- Promethazine 26-50 mg every 8 hours
Missed Dose
Missing one or two-dose of Promethazine won’t show any effect on your body. The skipped dose causes no problem. But with some medication, it won’t work if you don’t take the dosage on time. If you miss a dose some sudden chemical change may affect your body. In some cases, your doctor would advise you to take the prescribed medicine as soon as possible if you have missed the dose.
Overdose
Overdose of a drug can be accidental. If you have taken more than the prescribed Promethazine tablets there is a chance of getting a harmful effect on your body’s functions. Overdose of a medicine can lead to some medical emergency.
Warnings for people with some serious conditions
For people with an enlarged prostate:
If you have trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate, taking this drug can make urination even more difficult.
For people with certain stomach problems
If you have a history of digestive tract obstruction, taking this drug may make the obstruction worse. This is because this medicine slows down movement through your digestive tract.
For people with certain bladder problems
If you have a bladder obstruction, taking this drug can make urination difficult.
For people with bone marrow disease
This drug lowers the levels of platelets and white blood cells. You should not take it if you have a bone marrow disease or if you take other medications that affect the bone marrow's ability to make blood cells.
For people with heart disease
If you have heart disease, taking this drug can make it worse. This medicine can make your heart rhythm abnormalities.
For people with breathing problems
This drug can thicken secretions in the breathing tubes. If you have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), this can cause an asthma attack or make your COPD worse. The medicine should not be taken during an acute asthma attack or if you have COPD.
For people with sleep apnea
This medicine can thicken the secretions in your breathing tubes. If you have sleep apnea, taking this drug at night may make your condition worse.
For people with seizures
This drug increases your risk of seizures. Talk to your doctor if you take other medications that can cause seizures. Taking these medications together can increase this risk.
Storage
Direct contact with heat, air and light may damage your medicines. The exposure of medicine may cause some harmful effects. The medicine must be kept in a safe place and out of children’s reach.
Mainly the drug should be kept at room temperature between 68ºF and 77ºF (20ºC and 25ºC).
Before taking Promethazine consult your Doctor. In case if you face any problems or get any side effects after taking Promethazine rush immediately to your nearby hospital or consult your doctor for better treatment. Carry your medications always in your bag while travelling to avoid any immediate emergencies. Follow your prescription and follow your Doctor advice whenever you take Promethazine.
Promethazine vs Cetirizine :
| Promethazine | Cetirizine |
|---|---|
| Promethazine is available in the group of drugs called phenothiazines. Promethazine works as an antihistamine | Cetirizine tablets are an antihistamine which is used for relieving the allergy symptoms such as watery eyes, runny nose, itching eyes/ nose, hives and itching. |
| Promethazine is used for the prevention of nausea and vomiting which is related to certain conditions like after surgery and motion sickness. | Cetirizine does not prevent hives but it treats serious allergic reaction |
Most of the common side effects of Promethazine are:
|
Some of the serious side effects of cetirizine are:
|
