Promethazine
Promethazine is an antihistamine that relieves watery eyes, itchy eyes/nose/throat, runny nose, and sneezing. Codeine is an opioid cough suppressant (antitussive) that affects a certain part of the brain, reducing the urge to cough.
Promethazine is in a group of drugs called phenothiazines (FEEN-oh-THYE-a-zeens). It works by changing the actions of chemicals in your brain. Promethazine also acts as an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in your body.
This product is used to treat allergy symptoms such as itching, runny nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, hives, and itchy skin rashes. It also prevents motion sickness, and treats nausea and vomiting or pain after surgery. It is also used as a sedative or sleep aid.
Promethazine is not for use in treating symptoms of asthma, pneumonia, or other lower respiratory tract infections.
Promethazine should not be given to a child younger than 2 years old. Promethazine can cause severe breathing problems or death in very young children. Carefully follow your doctor’s instructions when giving this medicine to a child of any age.
You should not take this medicine if you are allergic to promethazine or to similar medicines such as chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, mesoridazine, perphenazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine, or trifluperazine.
To make sure this product is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
- asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, or other breathing disorder;
- a sulfite allergy;
- a history of seizures;
- a weak immune system (bone marrow depression);
- glaucoma;
- enlarged prostate or problems with urination;
- stomach ulcer or obstruction;
- heart disease or high blood pressure;
- liver disease;
- adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma);
- low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia); or
- if you have ever had a serious side effect while using Codeine or any other phenothiazine.
