Promethazine (By injection)

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.

Drug classes

Antiemetic, Antivertigo, Gastrointestinal Agent (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Promethazine injection is used to relieve or prevent some types of allergy or allergic reactions. It works by preventing the effects of a substance called histamine, which is produced by the body. Histamine can cause itching, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes. It can sometimes close up the bronchial tubes (air passages of the lungs) and make breathing difficult.

Promethazine is also used to prevent and control motion sickness, nausea, vomiting, and dizziness. In addition, it may be used to help people go to sleep and control their pain or anxiety before or after surgery or other procedures.

Promethazine may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

This medicine is only available with your doctor’s prescription.

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

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.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. You should not receive it if you had an allergic reaction to promethazine or another phenothiazine medicine.

Warnings

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

Summary More details

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.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Antinaus 50, Phenergan, Promacot, Prorex

There may be other brand names for this medicine.