What is promethazine used to treat

When you take certain anxiety drugs with promethazine, you may have drowsiness that is more extreme and lasts longer. When you take certain bladder control drugs with promethazine, certain side effects may increase and last longer. These side effects include dry mouth, constipation, trouble emptying your bladder, blurred vision, and drowsiness. When you take certain muscle relaxants with promethazine, you may have drowsiness that is more extreme and lasts longer.

When you take certain nausea and motion sickness drugs with promethazine, certain side effects may increase and last longer.

When you take certain pain drugs with promethazine, you may have drowsiness that is more extreme and lasts longer. When you take certain stomach and gastrointestinal drugs with promethazine, certain side effects may increase and last longer. However, because drugs interact differently in each person, we cannot guarantee that this information includes all possible interactions. Always speak with your healthcare provider about possible interactions with all prescription drugs, vitamins, herbs and supplements, and over-the-counter drugs that you are taking.

Taking it again could be fatal cause death. Drinking alcohol can make drowsiness from promethazine more extreme and last longer.

For people with angle-closure glaucoma : Angle-closure glaucoma leads to increased pressure in your eyes. If you have a history of angle-closure glaucoma, taking this drug may cause a sudden and severe increase in eye pressure.

This is an emergency and may result in irreversible vision loss. Talk to your doctor before using this drug if you have this condition. For people with enlarged prostate: If you have trouble urinating due to an enlarged prostate gland, taking this drug may make it even more difficult for you to urinate.

For people with certain stomach problems: If you have a history of digestive tract blockage, taking this drug may make blockage worse. This is because this drug slows down movement through your digestive tract.

For people with certain bladder problems: If you have a blockage in your bladder, taking this drug may make it more difficult for you to urinate. This is because it narrows the tubes through which your urine flows. For people with bone marrow disease: This drug decreases your levels of platelets and white blood cells. You should not take it if you have bone marrow disease or you take other drugs that affect the ability of your bone marrow to make blood cells.

For people with heart disease : If you have heart disease, taking this drug may make it worse. This drug can cause the rhythm of your heart to be abnormal. For people with liver disease: When your body gets rid of this drug, it first breaks it down in your liver. This means the level of this drug in your body could get too high. This raises your risk of side effects. For people with breathing problems: This drug may thicken the secretions in your breathing tubes. The drug should not be taken during an acute asthma attack or if you have COPD.

For people with sleep apnea: This drug may thicken the secretions in your breathing tubes. If you have sleep apnea, taking this drug at night may worsen your condition. For people with seizures: This drug raises your risk of seizures. Talk to your doctor if you take other drugs that can cause seizures. Taking these drugs together can increase this risk.

For pregnant women: Promethazine is a category C pregnancy drug. That means two things:. This drug should be used only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. This drug should not be given to a pregnant woman within 2 weeks of delivery because it raises the risk of bleeding in the newborn. For women who are breastfeeding: Promethazine may pass into breast milk and may cause side effects in a child who is breastfed. Talk to your doctor if you breastfeed your child.

You may need to decide whether to stop breastfeeding or stop taking this drug. For seniors: Seniors may be more sensitive to the sedating effects of this drug. They may be more likely to experience severe drowsiness, reduced mental alertness, and confusion.

All possible dosages and drug forms may not be included here. Your dosage, drug form, and how often you take the drug will depend on:.

It has not been confirmed that promethazine is safe and effective for use in children younger than 2 years. Page last reviewed: 27 October Next review due: 27 October Promethazine Phenergan - Other brand names: Avomine, Sominex On this page About promethazine Key facts Who can and cannot take promethazine How and when to take promethazine Side effects How to cope with side effects of promethazine Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions about promethazine.

About promethazine Promethazine is an antihistamine medicine that relieves the symptoms of allergies. Promethazine is used for: short-term sleep problems insomnia — including when a cough, cold or itching is keeping you awake at night allergies, including hay fever and hives urticaria feeling and being sick vomiting — due to motion sickness or vertigo cold symptoms, such as coughing and a runny nose You can buy promethazine from pharmacies, where it's often sold as Avomine, Phenergan or Sominex.

It comes as tablets, capsules and a liquid that you swallow. Help us improve our website Can you answer a quick question about your visit today?

Do not drink alcohol while taking promethazine. Alcohol increases the risks of side effects. To help you sleep, take promethazine 20 minutes before you go to bed. It normally takes about 30 minutes to work. To prevent motion sickness, take promethazine the night before a long journey or 1 to 2 hours before a short journey.

Common side effects of promethazine include drowsiness, headaches, nightmares and feeling dizzy, restless or confused. Promethazine can be taken by most adults. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you: have ever had an allergic reaction to promethazine or any other medicine have an eye problem called primary angle closure glaucoma have problems peeing or emptying your bladder have epilepsy or any other health problem that causes seizures or fits are due to have an allergy test.

Promethazine can affect your results, so you may need to stop taking it a few days before your test. Ask the clinic where you are due to have your allergy test are unable to have any alcohol — some liquid promethazine products contain a very small amount of alcohol, so check the ingredients and the packaging carefully are trying to get pregnant. Promethazine can affect home pregnancy tests. If you think you're pregnant, speak to your doctor so they can arrange a blood test instead.

Important If you have bought promethazine or any medicine containing promethazine from a pharmacy, follow the instructions that come with it, or ask a pharmacist for advice. Dosage and strength Promethazine comes in 10mg, 20mg and 25mg tablets. Your dose depends on why you're taking it: short-term insomnia — you'll usually take 20mg to 50mg at night hay fever — you'll usually take from 10mg twice a day to 20mg, 3 times a day hives — you'll usually take from 10mg twice a day to 20mg 3 times a day preventing motion sickness — you'll usually take 25mg 1 to 2 hours before a short journey or 25mg the night before a long journey treating motion sickness — take 25mg as soon as possible and 25mg the same evening, followed by 25mg the following evening if you need it vertigo — the dose can vary from 25mg a day to 25mg 4 times a day If you're taking liquid which contains 5mg of promethazine in 5ml, follow the instructions that come with the medicine for how much to take.

Promethazine mixed with other medicines Promethazine can come mixed with other medicines, such as paracetamol. How to take it You can take promethazine tablets, capsules and liquid with or without food. How to take tablets and capsules Always take your promethazine tablets or capsules with a drink of water. How to take liquid Liquid medicines containing promethazine come with a plastic syringe or spoon to help you measure out the right dose. What if I forget to take it? For motion sickness, take it as soon as you remember.

What if I take too much? Too much promethazine can be dangerous. If you take more than your usual dose, you may: feel very sleepy have a very fast, irregular or pounding heartbeat palpitations have breathing problems In serious cases, you can become unconscious or have seizures or fits and may need emergency treatment in hospital.

If your child takes too much promethazine, they may also: move unsteadily or stumble have uncontrolled movements, especially in their hands or feet see or hear things that are not there hallucinations have an irregular heartbeat. Urgent advice: Contact for advice if:. Common side effects Like all medicines, promethazine can cause side effects, although not everyone gets them.

Talk to your pharmacist or doctor if these side effects bother you or do not go away: feeling tired during the daytime nightmares feeling dizzy or unsteady on your feet, or having difficulty concentrating headaches Promethazine can sometimes make your skin more sensitive to sunlight.

If you're over 65, you're more likely to get side effects such as: feeling confused dry mouth blurred vision difficulty peeing Talk to a doctor or call straight away if you have these side effects.

Serious side effects Call your doctor straight away if: the whites of your eyes or your skin turn yellow, although this may be less obvious on black or brown skin — these can be signs of liver problems you notice more bruising or bleeding than normal you have muscle stiffness or shaking, or unusual face or tongue movements Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, it's possible to have a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis to promethazine.

Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about: feeling sleepy during the daytime — this usually wears off 12 hours after a dose. Do not drive, cycle or use tools or machinery if you're feeling this way. If the feeling does not go away or is troubling you, do not take any more medicine and speak to a pharmacist or doctor. Promethazine and pregnancy Promethazine can be used in pregnancy.

Promethazine and breastfeeding If your doctor or health visitor says your baby is healthy, promethazine can be used during breastfeeding. Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:.

Tell your pharmacist or doctor if you're taking: a type of antidepressant called a monoamine oxidase inhibitor, such as phenelzine a type of painkiller called an opioid, such as codeine , morphine or oxycodone any medicine that makes you drowsy, gives you a dry mouth, or makes it difficult for you to pee — taking promethazine might make these side effects worse If you're taking a cough or cold remedy or a painkiller containing promethazine, check carefully what the other ingredients are. Mixing promethazine with herbal remedies and supplements There might be a problem taking some herbal remedies and supplements alongside promethazine, especially ones that cause side effects such as sleepiness, a dry mouth or making it difficult to pee.

Ask your pharmacist for advice. Important: Medicine safety Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements. How does promethazine work? How is it different from other cough and cold remedies?

How long does it take to work? How long can I take it for? Is promethazine addictive? Coming off promethazine slowly can help prevent this. How is promethazine different from other antihistamines? Can I take more than one antihistamine at a time? Important Do not take 2 antihistamines together unless you have been advised to by your doctor. Will it help me sleep? Can I take it with painkillers? Can I drive or ride a bike with it? Will it affect my fertility? Will it affect my contraception?

Can I drink alcohol with it? Do not drink alcohol while you're taking promethazine. Alcohol and promethazine together can make you sleep very deeply. Is there any food or drink I need to avoid? You can eat normally while taking promethazine. Is it dangerous to take with recreational drugs? Can lifestyle changes help me sleep better? Promethazine will only help you sleep while you're taking it, so there are a number of things you can do instead to help yourself have a good night's sleep : set regular times for going to bed and waking up relax before bedtime — try taking a warm bath or listening to calming music use thick curtains or blinds, an eye mask and earplugs to stop you being woken up by light and noise avoid caffeine, cigarettes or vapes, alcohol, heavy meals and exercise for a few hours before bedtime do not watch TV or use phones, tablets or computers before going to bed do not nap during the day make a list of your worries and any ideas for how to solve them before you go to bed — this can help you forget about them until the morning.

Can lifestyle changes help with hayfever and other allergies? Tips for when you're outside Do not cut grass or walk on grass. It is important to keep all medication out of sight and reach of children as many containers such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers are not child-resistant and young children can open them easily.

To protect young children from poisoning, always lock safety caps and immediately place the medication in a safe location — one that is up and away and out of their sight and reach. In case of overdose, call the poison control helpline at If the victim has collapsed, had a seizure, has trouble breathing, or can't be awakened, immediately call emergency services at Promethazine can interfere with the results of home pregnancy tests.

Talk to your doctor if you think you might be pregnant while you are taking promethazine. Do not try to test for pregnancy at home.

Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking promethazine. Do not let anyone else take your medication. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.

You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Generic alternatives may be available. Promethazine pronounced as proe meth' a zeen. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow?

What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names Brand names of combination products. Talk to your doctor about the risks of giving promethazine to your child.

To insert a promethazine suppository, follow these steps: If the suppository feels soft, hold it under cold, running water for 1 minute. Remove the wrapper. Dip the tip of the suppository in water. Lie down on your left side and raise your right knee to your chest. A left-handed person should lie on the right side and raise the left knee. Hold it in place for a few moments. Stand up after about 15 minutes. Wash your hands thoroughly and resume your normal activities.