Promethazine relieves itchy, red, irritated, watery eyes; sneezing; runny nose; and itchy skin caused by hay fever and allergies. It is also used for motion sickness, before and after surgery as a sedative to relieve apprehension, and to prevent and treat nausea and vomiting.

This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Special precautions

Before taking promethazine,

• Tell your doctor if you use tobacco products. Cigarette smoking may decrease the effectiveness of this drug.
• Remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
• You should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking promethazine.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking promethazine, call your doctor.
• Before giving promethazine to a child, tell the doctor and pharmacist if you have a family history of sudden infant death syndrome (crib death) or if you regularly have difficulty waking the child.
• Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had difficulty urinating (an enlarged prostate), high blood pressure, asthma or lung disease, ulcers, epilepsy (seizures), glaucoma, or heart or liver disease.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking drugs, colds, seizures, especially medicines for depression, or allergies; tranquilizers; sleeping pills; sedatives; pain medication; muscle relaxants; and vitamins.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to promethazine or any other drugs.

Side effects

Although side effects from promethazine are not common, they can occur:

• stuffy nose
• difficulty coordinating movements
• fatigue
• confusion
• drowsiness
• dry mouth

If you experience any of the following symptoms:

• skin rash
• yellowing of the skin or eyes
• restlessness
• excitement
• insomnia
• tremors
• ringing in the ears
• vision problems

Keep all appointments with your doctor.