DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: promethazine (injection) (pro METH a zeen)
Brand Names: Adgan, Anergan 50, Antinaus 50, Pentazine, Phenergan, Promacot

What is promethazine injection?

Promethazine is in a group of drugs called phenothiazines (feen-oh-THYE-oh-zeens).

Promethazine is used to treat or prevent nausea and vomiting caused by anesthesia or surgery, certain types of allergic reactions, pain caused by surgery or childbirth, and to sedate patients before surgery or medical procedures.

Promethazine injection is usually given when a person cannot take the medication orally (by mouth).

Promethazine injection may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about promethazine injection?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to promethazine injection or to similar medicines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluperazine (Stelazine).

Before receiving promethazine injection, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have asthma, sleep apnea, or breathing problems, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, a weak immune system, low blood pressure, glaucoma, enlarged prostate, problems with urination, stomach ulcer or obstruction, heart disease, or liver disease.

Promethazine injection can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Tell your doctor right away if you have serious side effects while receiving promethazine injection, such as slow, shallow breathing, feeling light-headed, fainting, severe burning or skin irritation where the injection was given, confusion, hallucinations, muscle twitching, or muscle movements you cannot control.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before receiving promethazine injection?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to promethazine injection or to similar medicines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluperazine (Stelazine).

Before receiving promethazine injection, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• asthma, sleep apnea, or other breathing problems;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• a weak immune system (bone marrow depression);

• low blood pressure;

• glaucoma;

• enlarged prostate;

• problems with urination;

• stomach ulcer or obstruction;

• heart disease; or

• liver disease.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use promethazine injection, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. It is not known whether promethazine injection passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How is promethazine injection given?

Promethazine injection is given as an injection deep into a muscle. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. This medication is usually given every 2 to 4 hours depending on the condition is used for.

Promethazine injection is usually given for only a short time until no longer needed or until you can take promethazine by mouth.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you have recently received promethazine injection.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since promethazine injection is usually given by a healthcare professional, it is not likely that you will miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Tell your care givers right away if you think you have received too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a promethazine injection overdose may include slow or shallow breathing, extreme drowsiness or weakness, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

What should I avoid while receiving promethazine injection?

Promethazine injection can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Promethazine injection can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result.

Promethazine injection side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these serious side effects:

• slow, shallow breathing;

• decreased blood pressure (feeling light-headed, fainting);

• increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure);

• pain, burning, severe irritation, or skin changes where the injection was given;

• confusion, hallucinations, hysteria, seizure (black-out or convulsions);

• muscle twitching or movement you cannot control;

• fast or slow heartbeats;

• fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may be more likely to occur, such as:

• drowsiness, dizziness, tired feeling;

• ringing in your ears;

• problems with balance or coordination;

• blurred vision;

• feeling nervous or shaky;

• sleep problems (insomnia);

• skin rash or itching;

• dry mouth, stuffy nose;

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect promethazine injection?

Before receiving promethazine injection, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• atropine (Donnatal, and others);

• medicines to treat bladder incontinence, irritable bowel syndrome, digestion problems, stomach disorders, or excess salivation;

• an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate);

• medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety);

• a barbiturate such as amobarbital (Amytal), butabarbital (Butisol), mephobarbital (Mebaral), secobarbital (Seconal), or phenobarbital (Luminal, Solfoton); or

• narcotic medication such as fentanyl (Actiq, Duragesic, Ionsys), hydrocodone (Lortab, Vicodin), hydromorphone (Dilaudid, Palladone), levomethadyl (Orlaam), methadone (Dolophine, Methadose), morphine (Kadian, MS Contin, Oramorph), oxycodone (OxyContin, Percocet, Roxicodone), oxymorphone (Opana), pentazocine (Talacen, Talwin), or propoxyphene (Darvocet, Darvon).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use promethazine injection, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect promethazine injection. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist has information about promethazine injection written for health professionals that you may read.

What does my medication look like?

Promethazine injection is available with a prescription under the brand names Adgan, Anergan, Phenergan, Promacot, and others. Other brand or generic forms may also be available. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.

• Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.01. Revision Date: 03/07/2007 14:09:51.