Generic Name: promethazine (injection) (pro METH a zeen)Brand Names: Adgan, Anergan 50, Antinaus 50, Pentazine, Phenergan
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 is the most important information I should know about Adgan (promethazine (injection))?Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs. These could be early signs of dangerous side effects. 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). 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 should I discuss with my health care provider before I receive Adgan (promethazine (injection))?You should 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).If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely receive this medication. 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);
glaucoma;
enlarged prostate or problems with urination;
stomach ulcer or obstruction;
heart disease or high blood pressure;
liver disease;
adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma);
low levels of calcium in your blood (hypocalcemia); or
if you have ever had a serious side effect while using promethazine or any other phenothiazine.
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 it 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.
Since promethazine injection is given by a healthcare professional, it is not likely that you will miss a dose.
Overdose symptoms may include slow or shallow breathing, extreme drowsiness or weakness, feeling light-headed, or fainting.
twitching, or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs;
tremor (uncontrolled shaking), drooling, trouble swallowing, problems with balance or walking;
feeling restless, jittery, or agitated;
slow, shallow breathing, feeling like you might pass out;
increased blood pressure (severe headache, blurred vision, trouble concentrating, chest pain, numbness, seizure);
pain, burning, severe irritation, muscle weakness, or skin changes where the injection was given;
confusion, hallucinations, hysteria, seizure (black-out or convulsions);
fast or slow heartbeats;
fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;
urinating less than usual or not at all;
easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness; or
jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
drowsiness, dizziness, tired feeling;
ringing in your ears;
problems with balance or coordination;
blurred vision;
feeling nervous or shaky;
sleep problems (insomnia);
skin rash or itching;
dry mouth, stuffy nose;
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Also tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:
lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine), belladonna (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);
blood pressure medication such as guanadrel (Hylorel), guanethidine (Ismelin), propranolol (Inderal), and others;
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
bronchodilators such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva);
bladder or urinary medications such as oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), solifenacin (Vesicare), and others;
an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam); or
medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, restless leg syndrome, or pituitary gland tumor (prolactinoma); or
medicine to treat stomach ulcer or irritable bowel syndrome, such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), glycopyrrolate (Robinul), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), mepenzolate (Cantil), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine).
This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can interact with promethazine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.