nephrine's vasopressor effect, epinephrine should not be used to treat hypotension associated with promethazine hydrochloride tablets, usp overdose. anticholinergics - concomitant use of other agents with anticholinergic properties should be undertaken with caution. monoamine oxidase inhibitors (maoi) - drug interactions, including an increased incidence of extrapyramidal effects, have been reported when some maoi and phenothiazines are used concomitantly. this possibility should be considered with promethazine hydrochloride tablets, usp.

entially hazardous tasks, such as driving a vehicle or operating machinery. the impairment may be amplified by concomitant use of other central-nervous-system depressants such as alcohol, sedatives/hypnotics (including barbiturates), narcotics, narcotic analgesics, general anesthetics, tricyclic antidepressants, and tranquilizers; therefore such agents should either be eliminated or given in reduced dosage in the presence of promethazine hydrochloride (see precautions information for patients and drug interactions ) respiratory depression promethazine hydrochloride tablets, usp may lead to potentially fatal respiratory depression. use of promethazine hydrochloride tablets, usp in patients with compromised respiratory function (e.g., copd, sleep apnea) should be avoided. lower seizure threshold promethazine hydrochloride tablets, usp may lower seizure threshold. it should be used with caution in persons with seizure disorders or in persons who are using concomitant medications, such as narcotics or local anesthetics, which may also affect seizure threshold. bone-marrow depression promethazine hydrochloride tablets, usp should be used with caution in patients with bone-marrow depression. leukopenia and agranulocytosis have been reported, usually when promethazine hydrochloride has been used in association with other known marrow-toxic agents. neuroleptic malignant syndrome a potentially fatal symptom complex sometimes referred to as neuroleptic malignant syndrome (nms) has been reported in association with promethazine hydrochloride alone or in combination with antipsychotic drugs. clinical manifestations of nms are hyperpyrexia, muscle rigidity, altered mental status and evidence of autonomic instability (irregular pulse or blood pressure, tachycardia, diaphoresis and cardiac dysrhythmias). the diagnostic evaluation of patients with this syndrome is complicated. in arriving at a diagnosis, it is important to identify cases where the clinical presentation includes both serious medical illness (e.g., pneumonia, systemic infection, etc.) and untreated or inadequately treated extrapyramidal signs and symptoms (eps). other important considerations in the differential diagnosis include central anticholinergic toxicity, heat stroke, drug fever and primary central nervous system (cns) pathology. the management of nms should include 1) immediate discontinuation of promethazine hydrochloride, antipsychotic drugs, if any, and other drugs not essential to concurrent therapy, 2) intensive symptomatic treatment and medical monitoring, and 3) treatment of any concomitant serious medical problems for which specific treatments are available. there is no general agreement about specific pharmacological treatment regimens for uncomplicated nms. since recurrences of nms have been reported with phenothiazines, the reintroduction of promethazine hydrochloride should be carefully considered. use in pediatric patients promethazine hydrochloride tablets, usp are contraindicated for use in pediatric patients less than two years of age. caution should be exercised when administering promethazine hydrochloride tablets, usp to pediatric patients 2 years of age and older because of the potential for fatal respiratory depression. respiratory depression and apnea, sometimes associated with death, are strongly associated with promethazine products and are not directly related to individualized weight-based dosing, which might otherwise permit safe administration. concomitant administration of promethazine products with other respiratory depressants has an association with respiratory despression, and sometimes death, in pediatric patients. antiemetics are not recommended for treatment of uncomplicated vomiting in pediatric patients, and their use should be limited to prolonged vomiting of known etiology. the extrapyramidal symptoms which can occur secondary to promethazine hydrochloride tablets, usp administration may be confused with the cns signs of undiagnosed primary disease, e.g., encephalopathy or reye’s syndrome. the use of promethazine hydrochloride tablets, usp should be avoided in pediatric patients whose signs and symptoms may suggest reye’s syndrome or other hepatic diseases. excessively large dosages of antihistamines, including promethazine hydrochloride tablets, usp in pediatric patients may cause sudden death (see overdosage ). hallucinations and convulsions have occurred with therapeutic doses and overdoses of promethazine hydrochloride in pediatric patients. in pediatric patients who are acutely ill associated with dehydration, there is an increased susceptibility to dystonias with the use of promethazine hydrochloride. other considerations administration of promethazine hydrochloride has been associated with reported cholestatic jaundice.

, promethazine hydrochloride tablets, usp, 12.5 to 25 mg, twice daily, may be administered. nausea and vomiting antiemetics should not be used in vomiting of unknown etiology in children and adolescents (see warnings-use in pediatric patients ). the average effective dose of promethazine hydrochloride for the active therapy of nausea and vomiting in children or adults is 25 mg. when oral medication cannot be tolerated, the dose should be given parenterally (cf. promethazine hydrochloride injection). 12.5- to 25-mg doses may be repeated, as necessary, at 4- to 6-hour intervals. for nausea and vomiting in children, the usual dose is 0.5 mg per pound of body weight, and the dose should be adjusted to the age and weight of the patient and the severity of the condition being treated. for prophylaxis of nausea and vomiting, as during surgery and the postoperative period, the average dose is 25 mg repeated at 4- to 6-hour intervals, as necessary. sedation this product relieves apprehension and induces a quiet sleep from which the patient can be easily aroused. administration of 12.5 to 25 mg promethazine hydrochloride by the oral route or by rectal suppository at bedtime will provide sedation in children. adults usually require 25 to 50 mg for nighttime, presurgical, or obstetrical sedation. pre- and postoperative use promethazine hydrochloride in 12.5- to 25-mg doses for children and 50-mg doses for adults the night before surgery relieves apprehension and produces a quiet sleep. for preoperative medication, children require doses of 0.5 mg per pound of body weight in combination with an appropriately reduced dose of narcotic or barbiturate and the appropriate dose of an atropine-like drug. usual adult dosage is 50 mg promethazine hydrochloride with an appropriately reduced dose of narcotic or barbiturate and the required amount of a belladonna alkaloid. postoperative sedation and adjunctive use with analgesics may be obtained by the administration of 12.5 to 25 mg in children and 25- to 50-mg doses in adults. promethazine hydrochloride tablets, usp are contraindicated for children under 2 years of age.

been reported (see warnings-neuroleptic malignant syndrome ). paradoxical reactions hyperexcitability and abnormal movements have been reported in patients following a single administration of promethazine hydrochloride. consideration should be given to the discontinuation of promethazine hydrochloride 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.

nephrine's vasopressor effect, epinephrine should not be used to treat hypotension associated with promethazine hydrochloride tablets, usp overdose. anticholinergics - concomitant use of other agents with anticholinergic properties should be undertaken with caution. monoamine oxidase inhibitors (maoi) - drug interactions, including an increased incidence of extrapyramidal effects, have been reported when some maoi and phenothiazines are used concomitantly. this possibility should be considered with promethazine hydrochloride tablets, usp.

hould be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. nonteratogenic effects- promethazine hydrochloride tablets, usp administered to a pregnant woman within two weeks of delivery may inhibit platelet aggregation in the newborn.

and prevention of motion sickness who should not use promethazine? promethazine should not be given to: children under two years of age patients who are unconscious patients who are allergic to promethazine, any of the ingredients in promethazine, or to other phenothiazines patients with lung symptoms including asthma children who are vomiting unless the vomiting is prolonged and there is a known cause what are the risks? the following are the major potential risks and side effects of promethazine therapy. however, this list is not complete. severe drowsiness and reduced mental alertness. promethazine may cause drowsiness which may impair your ability to ride a bike, drive a car, or operate machinery. this may be worsened if taken with alcohol or other drugs that also cause central nervous system (cns) slowing such as sedatives, pain medicines, tranquilizers or certain drugs for depression. serious breathing problems. promethazine should not be used in patients with poor lung function such as chronic obstructive lung disease or breathing problems while sleeping (sleep apnea). increased risk of seizures. promethazine should be used with caution in patients with seizures or who are on other medicines which may also increase the risk of seizures. bone-marrow problems and blood cell production. promethazine should not be used in patients with bone-marrow problems or used with other drugs that affect the bone marrow’s production of blood cells. neuroleptic malignant syndrome. this potentially deadly syndrome includes symptoms such as fever, muscle rigidity mental changes, changes in pulse or blood pressure, fast heartbeat, increased sweating or irregular heart rhythm. the most common side effects are drowsiness, changes in blood pressure, skin reactions, blood cell changes and breathing problems. increased excitability or abnormal movements may occur after one dose of promethazine. if they do, consult your doctor about using another medicine. what should i tell my healthcare professional? before you start taking promethazine, tell your healthcare professional if you: have narrow-angle glaucoma have an enlarged prostate have a stomach ulcer have an intestinal blockage have a bladder blockage have heart problems have liver problems have breathing or lung problems have sleep apnea (breathing problems when sleeping) have seizures drink alcohol are trying to become pregnant, are already pregnant, or are breast-feeding can other medicines or food affect promethazine? promethazine and certain other medicines can interact with each other. tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. some medicines may affect how promethazine works or promethazine may affect how your other medicines work. know the medicines you take. keep a list of them with you to show your healthcare professional. especially tell your healthcare professional if you take: medicines that affect your brain such as anti-anxiety medicine, sleeping pills, pain medicines, sedatives, narcotics, antidepressants or tranquilizers epinephrine a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (maoi) which is used to treat depression or other mental disorders medicines called anticholinergics call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. you may report side effects to fda at 1-800-fda-1088.