What is this medicine?
PHENYLEPHRINE; PROMETHAZINE (fen il EF rin; proe METH a zeen) is a decongestant and a antihistamine. It is used to treat the symptoms of allergy and colds. This medicine will not treat an infection.
This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.
Back to Top
What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:
- blurred vision
- breathing trouble
- confusion
- fast, irregular heartbeat
- fever, sweating
- hallucinations
- high or low blood pressure
- lightheadedness
- muscle stiffness
- seizure
- sensitive to sunlight
- tremor, twitches
- trouble passing urine
- unusually weak
- yellowing of the eyes or skin
Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
- constipation
- dry mouth
- nausea, vomiting
- skin rash, itching
- stomach upset
- trouble sleeping
This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Back to Top
How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure your medicine. Household spoons are not accurate. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.
Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. While this drug may be prescribed for children as young as 2 years of age for selected conditions, precautions do apply. Do not use in children under 2 years old.
Patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction and need a smaller dose.
Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.
Back to Top
What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.
Back to Top
What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:
- bromocriptine
- cocaine
- disopyramide
- ergotamine, dihydroergotamine
- MAOIs like Carbex, Eldepryl, Marplan, Nardil, and Parnate
- procarbazine
- risperidone
- stimulant drugs
This medicine may also interact with the following medications:
- alcohol
- barbiturate medicines like phenobarbital
- cabergoline
- caffeine
- diet aids
- epinephrine
- heart medicines
- linezolid
- medicines for asthma
- medicines for cold or allergies
- medicines for depression, anxiety or psychotic disturbances
- medicines for Parkinson's disease
- medicines for sleep
- medicines for the stomach like metoclopramide, dicyclomine, glycopyrrolate
- oxytocin
- pain medicines
- radio contrast dyes
- St. John's wort
- theophylline
This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.
Back to Top
What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve or if they get worse.
You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this medicine. Avoid alcoholic drinks.
This medicine may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your eye doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.
Your mouth may get dry. Chewing sugarless gum or sucking hard candy, and drinking plenty of water may help. Contact your doctor if the problem does not go away or is severe.
Back to Top
What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of the following conditions:
- diabetes
- enlarged prostate
- glaucoma
- heart disease
- liver disease
- seizure disorder
- serious illness
- sleep apnea
- thyroid disease
- trouble passing urine
- ulcer or other stomach problem
- an unusual or allergic reaction to phenylephrine, promethazine, phenothiazines, sulfites, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
- pregnant or trying to get pregnant
- breast-feeding
Back to Top
Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
As a general rule, you should always take your medications exactly as prescribed and do not change the dosage or stop taking the medication without first discussing it with your healthcare provider.
Back to Top
I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.
Back to Top
Drug Info Tools
