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What is the most important information I should know about promethazine injection?

You should not receive this medication if you are allergic to promethazine or to similar medicines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluperazine (Stelazine).

Before you receive promethazine injection, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have asthma, sleep apnea, or breathing problems, epilepsy or other seizure disorder, a weak immune system, low blood pressure, glaucoma, enlarged prostate, problems with urination, stomach ulcer or obstruction, heart disease, or liver disease.

Promethazine injection can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Tell your doctor right away if you have serious side effects while receiving promethazine injection, such as slow, shallow breathing, feeling light-headed, fainting, severe burning or skin irritation where the injection was given, confusion, hallucinations, muscle twitching, or muscle movements you cannot control.

What is promethazine injection?

Promethazine is in a group of drugs called phenothiazines (feen-oh-THYE-oh-zeens).

Promethazine is used to treat or prevent nausea and vomiting caused by anesthesia or surgery, certain types of allergic reactions, pain caused by surgery or childbirth, and to sedate patients before surgery or medical procedures.

Promethazine injection is usually given when a person cannot take the medication orally (by mouth).

Promethazine injection may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my health care provider before I receive promethazine injection?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to promethazine or to similar medicines such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), fluphenazine (Prolixin), mesoridazine (Serentil), perphenazine (Trilafon), prochlorperazine (Compazine), thioridazine (Mellaril), or trifluperazine (Stelazine).

Before you receive promethazine injection, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• asthma, sleep apnea, or other breathing problems;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• a weak immune system (bone marrow depression);

• low blood pressure;

• glaucoma;

• enlarged prostate;

• problems with urination;

• stomach ulcer or obstruction;

• heart disease; or

• liver disease.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive this medication.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Before you receive this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant. It is not known whether promethazine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not receive this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How is promethazine injection given?

Promethazine injection is given as an injection deep into a muscle. You will receive this injection in a clinic or hospital setting. This medication is usually given every 2 to 4 hours depending on the condition is used for.

Promethazine injection is usually given for only a short time until no longer needed or until you can take promethazine by mouth.

This medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you have recently received promethazine injection.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Since promethazine injection is given by a healthcare professional, it is not likely that you will miss a dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Tell your care givers right away if you think you have received too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include slow or shallow breathing, extreme drowsiness or weakness, feeling light-headed, or fainting.