Has your doctor prescribed you a pill called Promethazine? Maybe it's for an allergy, or for nausea during a pilgrimage, or to calm you down before a minor surgery. It's very well-known in our country under the brand name Phenergan. So, today we'll talk briefly about this medicine, what it does, and what you need to be careful about while using it.
What exactly is Promethazine?
Simply put, Promethazine is an antihistamine . Imagine, when our body has an allergy, a chemical called histamine is produced inside the body. Itching, skin irritation, and runny nose are caused by this histamine. What Promethazine does is block the action of that histamine.
Not only that, this medicine also helps calm our nervous system. That's why it is used:
- Allergies: Conditions such as skin itching, rashes, allergies to dust, and food.
- Vomiting and nausea: Stop vomiting before or after surgery, or for other reasons.
- Motion Sickness: Prevent dizziness and vomiting while riding in buses and vans.
- To calm and induce sleep: To calm the patient before a medical procedure or as an aid to sleep.
- For pain relief: It is sometimes used to control pain before or after surgery.
Things you need to tell your doctor before taking this medicine
This is very important. If you have any of the conditions listed below, you should definitely tell your doctor before taking Promethazine.
| Condition/Occasion | Why should you care? |
|---|---|
| Liver diseases | The process of removing the medicine from the body may be affected. |
| Heart disease | Heart rate may be affected. |
| Respiratory diseases (e.g. asthma, chronic bronchitis) | It can make breathing difficult. |
| Glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye) | Eye pressure can increase further. |
| Diabetes | May affect blood sugar levels. |
| Seizures | May increase the risk of seizures. |
| Prostate problems or difficulty urinating | It can make it more difficult to urinate. |
| Intestinal problems (e.g. constipation) | These conditions can become severe. |
| If you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or are a breastfeeding mother | In these cases, it is essential to seek medical advice about the use of medication. |
Especially remember: Tell your doctor if you are allergic to Promethazine, sulfites, or any other medicine, food, or dye.
How should I use the medicine?
- Take this pill with a glass of water.
- Take the medicine exactly as prescribed by the doctor, at the right time.
- Never drink more than the doctor tells you to.
Be very careful when giving to children!
This is a very important point. Giving Promethazine to babies under 2 years of age is strictly prohibited. It can cause serious respiratory problems and can even be life-threatening. Therefore, be sure to consult a pediatrician before giving this medicine to a young child.
What if I take too much medicine?
If you think you have taken more medicine than you think, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.
Things to be careful about when taking medicine
- Drowsiness and dizziness: This is the main side effect. Promethazine can make you very sleepy. Therefore , do not drive, work at heights, or operate machinery while taking this medication. If you are elderly, you may feel dizzy and fall when you stand up suddenly from a sitting position. So get up quickly.
- Alcohol: Drinking alcohol while taking this medication can increase drowsiness and dizziness. Therefore , avoid alcohol completely.
- Dry mouth: Dry mouth is common. Chewing sugar-free gum and drinking plenty of water can help.
- Sun sensitivity: This medication can make your skin sensitive to the sun. Therefore, if you are going to be in the sun, wear clothing that covers your body well and use sunscreen.
- Other medications: If you are taking any other medications (e.g., for depression, insomnia, high blood pressure, epilepsy), tell your doctor about all of them, as some medications may interact with this one.
Serious side effects (seek medical advice immediately if any of these occur)
These symptoms are usually rare, but if you experience any of them, it could be a sign of a serious condition. So see a doctor immediately.
| Side effect | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Severe allergies | Skin rash, severe itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat, difficulty breathing. |
| Respiratory distress (CNS Depression) | Breathing is very slow, breathing is shallow, excessive sleepiness, unconsciousness. |
| Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome | High fever, muscle stiffness, excessive sweating, fast or irregular heartbeat, confusion. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, yellowing of the eyes or skin, dark urine. |
| Uncontrolled movements (EPS) | Uncontrolled movements of the face, limbs, tremors, restlessness, difficulty walking. |
| Other serious symptoms | Seizures, sudden eye pain or blurred vision, inability to urinate. |
Common side effects
These can happen to many people, but are usually not dangerous. However, if they persist or bother you, tell your doctor.
- Drowsiness
- Dizziness
- Dry mouth
- Constipation
- Confusion (especially in the elderly)
- Nightmares
Take-Home Message
- Promethazine (Phenergan) is a medication that should only be taken on the advice of a doctor.
- When taking this medicine, tell your doctor about any other illnesses you have and any other medicines you are taking.
- This medicine can make you very sleepy, so avoid driving or doing anything that requires attention while taking it.
- It is completely dangerous to give this medicine to babies under 2 years of age.
- If you experience any serious side effects such as difficulty breathing, high fever, or uncontrollable muscle contractions, seek medical advice immediately.
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