Promethazine - Oral

Promethazine helps relieve symptoms of cold and allergy, such as runny nose, itch, watery eyes and sneezing. It also helps relieve allergic skin conditions such as hives and itchy rash.

This medicine may also be used to treat and prevent nausea and vomiting associated with motion sickness (unpleasant feeling when you're travelling) and help individuals who have difficulty sleeping.

This medicine may be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.

Take Promethazine 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.

You may take this medicine with or without food.

Promethazine is available as a tablet, oral solution, or syrup.

If you are taking the oral solution or syrup, shake the bottle well before you take the medicine to ensure that the liquid is evenly mixed. Use the measuring spoon or cup provided to measure your dose.

You may stop taking Promethazine once you feel better unless your doctor has instructed you otherwise.

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.

Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• severe dizziness, headache, or drowsiness of any cause
• lung problems e.g. asthma

as Promethazine may not be suitable for you.

This medicine may not be suitable for individuals who are unconscious (in a coma).

Do not give this medicine to children below 2 years old.

Do not take Promethazine if you are currently taking or have taken a medicine that is used to treat depression known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.

Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:

• bone marrow depression (a condition in which the blood cells are low)
• heart disease or blood vessel problems
• glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye)
• myasthenia gravis (muscle weakness disorder)
• Parkinson's disease (a disorder that affects the movement of a person, causing symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and impaired balance or walking)
• fits or seizures
• brain damage or head trauma
• inability to completely empty the bladder when urinating
• prostate enlargement
• stomach or bowel problems e.g. peptic ulcer (open sores in the lining of the stomach, small intestine, or lower food pipe), blocked bowel
• confirmed or suspected Reye's syndrome (a rare condition that causes swelling in the brain and liver), particularly in children
• kidney disease
• liver disease

Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Promethazine to a child (aged 2 years and above) and the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.

Notify your doctor if you consume large amounts of alcohol or if you are a frequent drinker.

If you are going to have certain laboratory tests (e.g. pregnancy test, skin test), inform your doctor that you are taking Promethazine.

Promethazine may cause drowsiness. 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 during and shortly after treatment.

Other side effects include any of the following: nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, dizziness, headache, stuffy nose, tiredness, rash, and itching.

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

• slow, shallow or difficulty breathing
• muscle stiffness, fever, rapid or irregular heartbeat, increased sweating
• trembling, uncontrollable twitching movements of the mouth, tongue and limbs, imbalance while walking, trouble speaking or swallowing
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• unusual bleeding or bruising, frequent sore throat with fever
• fits or seizures

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

Do not take Promethazine if you are currently taking or have taken medicine that is used to treat depression known as a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid, phenelzine and tranylcypromine in the last 14 days.

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

• medicines for mood disorders e.g. haloperidol, quetiapine
• strong painkillers e.g. morphine, fentanyl
• medicines for sleep disorder e.g. midazolam
• medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. amiodarone
• certain antibiotics e.g. erythromycin
• other medicines to treat depression e.g. amitriptyline, citalopram

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

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 drowsiness caused by Promethazine.

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

Protect from light.

Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.