Phenergan is used for:
Relieving allergy symptoms, including hives and
nasal congestion. It is used to prevent and control
pain and nausea during and after surgery. It is also
used to help produce light sleep, and for the prevention
of motion sickness. Phenergan is not to be used to
treat asthma. It may also be used for other conditions
as determined by your doctor.
Phenergan is a phenothiazine antihistamine. It works
by blocking the sites where histamine acts.
Do NOT use Phenergan if:
- you are allergic to any ingredient in Phenergan
- you have severe central nervous system depression or are in a coma
- you are also taking astemizole, cisapride, terfenadine, or tramadol
Contact your doctor or health care provider right
away if any of these apply to you
Before using Phenergan:
Some medical conditions may interact with Phenergan.
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical
conditions, especially if any of the following apply
to you:
- if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant,
or are breast-feeding
- if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation,
or dietary supplement
- if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
- if you have nervous system problems, bone marrow depression, heart problems,
a blood disease, glaucoma, increased eye pressure, low blood pressure, liver
problems, prostate problems, Parkinson disease, seizures, or Reye syndrome
- if you regularly consume large amounts of alcohol
Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Phenergan. Tell your
health care provider if you are taking any other medicines,
especially any of the following:
- Charcoal or lithium because they may decrease Phenergan's
effectiveness
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), astemizole,
cisapride, general anesthetics (eg, thiopental), methyldopa, terfenadine, or
tramadol because side effects, such as low blood pressure and seizures, may
occur
- ACE inhibitors (eg, enalapril), haloperidol, lithium, meperidine, metrizamide,
monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) (eg, phenelzine), naltrexone, polypeptide
antibiotics (eg, actinomycin), or trazodone because the risk of their side
effects may be increased by Phenergan
- Bromocriptine, epinephrine, levodopa, or pergolide because their effectiveness
may be decreased by Phenergan
This may not be a complete list of all interactions
that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Phenergan
may interact with other medicines that you take. Check
with your health care provider before you start, stop,
or change the dose of any medicine.
How to use Phenergan:
Use Phenergan as directed by your doctor. Check the
label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.
- Take Phenergan by mouth with or without food. If
stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach
irritation.
- If you are using Phenergan for motion sickness, take a dose at least 30 to
60 minutes before you begin traveling.
- If you miss a dose of Phenergan and you are using it regularly, take it as
soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed
dose and go back to you regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.
Ask your health care provider any questions you may
have about how to use Phenergan.
Important safety information:
- Phenergan may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These
effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or
certain medicines. Use Phenergan with caution. Do not
drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until
you know how you react to it.
- Do not drink alcohol or use medicines that may cause drowsiness (eg, sleep
aids, muscle relaxers) while you are using Phenergan; it may add to their effects.
Ask your pharmacist if you have questions about which medicines may cause drowsiness.
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS) is a possibly fatal syndrome that can
be caused by Phenergan. Symptoms may include fever; stiff muscles; confusion;
abnormal thinking; fast or irregular heartbeat; and sweating. Contact your
doctor at once if you have any of these symptoms.
- Phenergan may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps,
or tanning booths until you know how you react to Phenergan. Use a sunscreen
or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
- Use Phenergan with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to
its effects.
- Phenergan should not be used in CHILDREN younger than 2 years old. Serious,
and sometimes fatal, side effects (difficult or slowed breathing, drowsiness
leading to coma) have occurred when Phenergan has been used in children in
this age group.
- Phenergan should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN 2 years of age
and older. The lowest effective dose should be used in children 2 years of
age and older.
- PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor.
You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Phenergan while you
are pregnant. Phenergan is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding
while you use Phenergan, check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks
to your baby.
Possible side effects of Phenergan:
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:
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:
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.
This is not a complete list of all side effects that
may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice
about side effects, contact your doctor or health care
provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
If OVERDOSE is suspected:
Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of
Poison Control Centers), your local poison control
center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency
room immediately. Symptoms may include: convulsions;
dry mouth; flushing; hallucinations; loss of consciousness;
nightmares; seizures; shortness of breath; trouble
breathing; unusual drowsiness or restlessness.
Proper storage of Phenergan:
Store Phenergan at room temperature, between 68 to
77 degrees F (20 to 25 degrees C). Store away from
heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom.
Keep tightly closed. Keep Phenergan out of the reach
of children and away from pets. |