Side Effects > Promethazine

Promethazine Side Effects

Brand Names: Phenergan, Promethegan, Phenadoz

Please note - some side effects for Promethazine may not be reported. Always consult your doctor or healthcare specialist for medical advice. You may also report side effects to the FDA at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch/ or 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088).

For the consumer Promethazine Promethazine Suppositories Promethazine Syrup Promethazine/Codeine Syrup Promethazine Tablets For the professional Promethazine Promethazine Injection Promethazine Injection USP Promethazine Suppositories Promethazine Tablets

Side Effects of Promethazine - for the consumer

Promethazine

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Promethazine:

Dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; increased or decreased blood pressure; nausea; occasional blurred vision; rash; sleepiness; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Promethazine:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); pain, redness, or swelling at the injection site; sensitivity to light; uncontrolled muscle movements; yellowing of skin or eyes.

Promethazine Suppositories

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Promethazine Suppositories:

Dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; increased or decreased blood pressure; increased sensitivity to the sun; nausea; occasional blurred vision; rash; sleepiness; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Promethazine Suppositories:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); uncontrolled muscle movements; yellowing of skin or eyes.

Promethazine Syrup

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Promethazine Syrup:

Dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; increased or decreased blood pressure; nausea; occasional blurred vision; rash; sleepiness; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Promethazine Syrup:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); sensitivity to light; uncontrolled muscle movements; yellowing of skin or eyes.

Promethazine/Codeine Syrup

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Promethazine/Codeine Syrup:

Blurred vision; constipation; dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth, throat, or nose; headache; nausea; tiredness or weakness; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Promethazine/Codeine Syrup:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); abnormal thoughts; agitation; change in the amount of urine produced; confusion; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; hallucinations; loss of coordination; mood or mental changes; muscle pain or stiffness; overexcitement; seizures; severe drowsiness; severe or persistent blurred vision, dizziness, headache, or lightheadedness; slow or irregular breathing; symptoms of infection (eg, fever, chills); tremors; uncontrolled muscle movements (eg, movements of the arms, legs, tongue, eyes); unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual sweating; vision problems; yellowing of the skin or eyes.

Promethazine Tablets

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome when using Promethazine Tablets:

Dizziness; drowsiness; dry mouth; increased or decreased blood pressure; nausea; occasional blurred vision; rash; sleepiness; vomiting.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur when using Promethazine Tablets:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); sensitivity to light; uncontrolled muscle movements; yellowing of skin or eyes.

Top

For the professional

Promethazine

Central Nervous System

Drowsiness is the most prominent CNS effect of this drug. Sedation, somnolence, blurred vision, dizziness; confusion, disorientation, and extrapyramidal symptoms such as oculogyric crisis, torticollis, and tongue protrusion; lassitude, tinnitus, incoordination, fatigue, euphoria, nervousness, diplopia, insomnia, tremors, convulsive seizures, excitation, catatonic-like states, hysteria. Hallucinations have also been reported.

Cardiovascular - Increased or decreased blood pressure, tachycardia, bradycardia, faintness.

Dermatologic - Dermatitis, photosensitivity, urticaria.

Hematologic - Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura, agranulocytosis.

Gastrointestinal - Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, jaundice.

Respiratory - Asthma, nasal stuffiness, respiratory depression (potentially fatal) and apnea (potentially fatal).

Other - Angioneurotic edema. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (potentially fatal) has also been reported.

Paradoxical Reactions

Hyperexcitability and abnormal movements have been reported in patients following a single administration of Promethazine HCl. Consideration should be given to the discontinuation of Promethazine HCl and to the use of other drugs if these reactions occur. Respiratory depression, nightmares, delirium, and agitated behavior have also been reported in some of these patients.

Top

Promethazine Injection

Central Nervous System

Drowsiness is the most prominent CNS effect of this drug. Sedation, somnolence, blurred vision, dizziness, confusion, disorientation, and extrapyramidal symptoms such as oculogyric crisis, torticollis, and tongue protrusion; lassitude, tinnitus, incoordination, fatigue, euphoria, nervousness, diplopia, insomnia, tremors, convulsive seizures, excitation, catatonic-like states, hysteria. Hallucinations have also been reported.

Cardiovascular

Increased or decreased blood pressure, tachycardia, bradycardia, faintness. Thrombophlebitis, venous thrombosis, and phlebitis at the injection site have been reported and in some cases have required surgical intervention. INTRA-ARTERIAL INJECTION MAY RESULT IN GANGRENE OF THE AFFECTED EXTREMITY.

Dermatologic

Dermatitis, photosensitivity, urticaria.

Hematologic

Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura, agranulocytosis.

Gastrointestinal

Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, jaundice.

Respiratory

Asthma, nasal stuffiness, respiratory depression (potentially fatal) and apnea (potentially fatal).

Other

Angioneurotic edema. Neuroleptic Malignant Syndrome (potentially fatal) has also been reported. Administration of Promethazine hydrochloride has resulted in nerve damage ranging from temporary sensory loss to palsies and paralysis. Injection into or near a nerve may result in permanent tissue damage. Subcutaneous injection has resulted in tissue necrosis. Injection site reactions including burning, erythema, pain, and edema have been reported. Administration of promethazine hydrochloride has resulted in abscesses and/or tissue necrosis and gangrene, regardless of the route of administration. In some cases, surgical intervention (including fasciotomy, skin graft, and/or amputation) may be required.

Paradoxical Reactions (Overdosage)

Hyperexcitability and abnormal movements, which have been reported in pediatric patients following a single administration of Promethazine hydrochloride, may be manifestations of relative overdosage, in which case, consideration should be given to the discontinuation of the Promethazine and to the use of other drugs. Respiratory depression, nightmares, delirium, and agitated behavior have also been reported in some of these patients.

Top

Promethazine Injection USP

CNS Effects:

Drowsiness is the most prominent CNS effect of this drug. Extrapyramidal reactions may occur with high doses; this is almost always responsive to a reduction in dosage. Other reported reactions include dizziness, lassitude, tinnitus, incoordination, fatigue, blurred vision, euphoria, diplopia, nervousness, insomnia, tremors, convulsive seizures, oculogyric crises, excitation, catatonic-like states, hysteria, and hallucinations.

Cardiovascular Effects:

Tachycardia, bradycardia, faintness, dizziness, and increases and decreases in blood pressure have been reported following the use of Promethazine HCl Injection. Venous thrombosis at the injection site has been reported. INTRA-ARTERIAL INJECTION MAY RESULT IN GANGRENE OF THE AFFECTED EXTREMITY.

Gastrointestinal Effects:

Nausea and vomiting have been reported, usually in association with surgical procedures and combination drug therapy.

Allergic Reactions:

These include urticaria, dermatitis, asthma, and photosensitivity. Angioneurotic edema has been reported.

Other Reported Reactions:

Leukopenia and agranulocytosis, usually when Promethazine HCl has been used in association with other known marrow-toxic agents, have been reported. Thrombocytopenic purpura and jaundice of the obstructive type have been associated with the use of Promethazine HCl. The jaundice is usually reversible on discontinuation of the drug. Subcutaneous injection has resulted in tissue necrosis. Nasal stuffiness may occur. Dry mouth has been reported.

Paradoxical Reactions (Overdosage):

Hyperexcitability and abnormal movements, which have been reported in pediatric patients following a single administration of Promethazine HCl Injection, may be manifestations of relative overdosage, in which case, consideration should be given to the discontinuation of Promethazine HCl Injection and to the use of other drugs. Respiratory depression, nightmares, delirium, and agitated behavior have also been reported in some of these patients.

Top

Promethazine Suppositories

Central Nervous System

Drowsiness is the most prominent CNS effect of this drug. Sedation, somnolence, blurred vision, dizziness; confusion, disorientation, and extrapyramidal symptoms such as oculogyric crisis, torticollis, and tongue protrusion; lassitude, tinnitus, incoordination, fatigue, euphoria, nervousness, diplopia, insomnia, tremors, convulsive seizures, excitation, catatonic-like states, hysteria. Hallucinations have also been reported.

Cardiovascular - Increased or decreased blood pressure, tachycardia, bradycardia, faintness.

Dermatologic - Dermatitis, photosensitivity, urticaria.

Hematologic - Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura, agranulocytosis.

Gastrointestinal - Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, jaundice.

Respiratory - Asthma, nasal stuffiness, respiratory depression (potentially fatal) and apnea (potentially fatal)..

Other - Angioneurotic edema. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (potentially fatal) has also been reported..

Paradoxical Reactions

Hyperexcitability and abnormal movements have been reported in patients following a single administration of Promethazine HCl. Consideration should be given to the discontinuation of Promethazine HCl and to the use of other drugs if these reactions occur. Respiratory depression, nightmares, delirium, and agitated behavior have also been reported in some of these patients.

Top

Promethazine Tablets

Central Nervous System –

Drowsiness is the most prominent CNS effect of this drug. Sedation, somnolence, blurred vision, dizziness; confusion, disorientation, and extrapyramidal symptoms such as oculogyric crisis, torticollis, and tongue protrusion; lassitude, tinnitus, incoordination, fatigue, euphoria, nervousness, diplopia, insomnia, tremors, convulsive seizures, excitation, catatonic-like states, hysteria. Hallucinations have also been reported.

Cardiovascular –

Increased or decreased blood pressure, tachycardia, bradycardia, faintness.

Dermatologic –

Dermatitis, photosensitivity, urticaria.

Hematologic –

Leukopenia, thrombocytopenia, thrombocytopenic purpura, agranulocytosis.

Gastrointestinal –

Dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, jaundice.

Respiratory –

Asthma, nasal stuffiness, respiratory depression (potentially fatal) and apnea (potentially fatal).

Other –

Angioneurotic edema. Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (potentially fatal) has also been reported.

Paradoxical Reactions

Hyperexcitability and abnormal movements have been reported in patients following a single administration of Promethazine HCl. Consideration should be given to the discontinuation of Promethazine HCl and to the use of other drugs if these reactions occur. Respiratory depression, nightmares, delirium, and agitated behavior have also been reported in some of these patients.

Top

More resources:

Phenergan

Phenergan

Promethazine

Promethazine - Includes detailed dosage instructions.

Promethegan

Promethazine

Phenadoz

Phenergan

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. In addition, the drug information contained herein may be time sensitive and should not be utilized as a reference resource beyond the date hereof. This information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients, or recommend therapy. This drug information is a reference resource designed as supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill , knowledge, and judgement of healthcare practitioners in patient care. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug of drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for any given patient. Drugs.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist.