Promazine - Oral

Promazine is used together with other medicines to treat psychomotor agitation (unintentional and purposeless motions such as pacing, tapping fingers or feet, abruptly starting and stopping tasks, or meaninglessly moving objects around) associated with mood disorders.

This medicine may also be used to treat agitation and restlessness in the elderly.

Take Promazine exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.

Try to take it at the same time each day.

Promazine is available as a tablet or syrup.

If you are taking the tablet, swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.

If you are taking the syrup, use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure your dose.

The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the course of treatment depending on the type of your condition and your response to the medication.

Promazine must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it suddenly as this may worsen your condition.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.

DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.

If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• phaeochromocytoma (rare tumour of the adrenal gland causing high blood pressure)
• bone marrow depression (a condition in which the blood cells are low)
• any problems that may affect your concentration

as Promazine may not be suitable for you.

Do not take this medicine if you are pregnant or planning to have a baby soon. If you become pregnant while being treated with Promazine, alert your doctor immediately. This medicine may cause harm to your unborn child. You must use proven birth control methods while taking Promazine.

Do not breastfeed while you are being treated with this medicine.

Do not give Promazine to individuals who are unconscious or in a coma (a state of loss of consciousness for a long period of time).

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• history of blood disorders
• history of jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes with stomach pain, persistent tiredness, nausea or vomiting)
• history of or at risk for epilepsy (fits or seizures)
• personal or family history of glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
• heart problems e.g. recent heart attack, irregular or abnormal heartbeat, heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood)
• lung problems
• at risk for stroke
• depression
• myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness disorder)
• Parkinson's disease (disorder that affects the movement of a person, causing symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and impaired balance or walking)
• hypothyroidism (underactive thyroid gland)
• prostate enlargement
• hypokalaemia (low potassium level in the blood)
• hypomagnesaemia (low magnesium level in the blood)
• kidney disease
• liver disease

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Promazine to the elderly. Elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.

This medicine is not approved for the treatment of mood disorders related to dementia (a group of symptoms affecting thinking, memory, and social abilities).

Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?

Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.

• Routine tests (e.g. liver function, complete blood count) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
• Regular monitoring of signs of movement disorders and eye changes may also be needed.

What lifestyle changes should I make?

Promazine may affect the ability of your body to adjust to temperature changes in the environment. Avoid exposure to very cold or very hot environments. Avoid strenuous exercise and activities like going to the sauna. Drink more water to prevent dehydration.

Promazine may cause drowsiness and impaired alertness. If affected, do not drive or take part in any activity in which you need to be alert.

This medicine may also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Apply sunscreen when going outdoors and avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV lamps.

Other side effects include any of the following: headache, dry mouth, constipation, stomach pain, blocked or stuffy nose, weight gain, and skin rash.

Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:

• uncontrollable twitching movements of the mouth, tongue, and limbs
• inability to stay still or restlessness, change in balance
• fever, muscle cramps or stiffness, dizziness, very bad headache, confusion
• fast and irregular heartbeat, feeling sick, paleness of the skin, cold sweats, shortness of breath, chest pain
• swelling, warmth, numbness, change of colour, or pain in a leg or arm
• enlarged breasts, nipple discharge, menstrual changes, inability of a man to attain or maintain an erection
• blurred vision, change in eyesight

Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.

Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:

• medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. quinidine, disopyramide, amiodarone, sotalol
• certain antibiotics e.g. moxifloxacin, sparfloxacin
• medicines used to treat malaria (a disease characterised by chills, fever and sweating that is transmitted to people through the bite of an infected mosquito) e.g. quinine, mefloquine
• medicines to treat depression e.g. amitriptyline, maprotiline
• other medicines for mood disorders e.g. risperidone, pimozide, lithium
• cisapride (medicine for stomach problems)
• ritonavir (medicine for HIV infection)
• metoclopramide (medicine for nausea or vomiting)
• cimetidine (medicine that reduces stomach acid production)
• memantine (medicine for dementia)

This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Promazine.

Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.

Avoid alcohol. Alcohol intake may worsen the dizziness and drowsiness caused by Promazine.

Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.

Protect the syrup from light.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.