Dextromethorphan and promethazine

Generic name: Dextromethorphan And Promethazine
Dosage form: oral syrup (15 mg-6.25 mg/5 mL)
Drug class: Upper respiratory combinations

Usage of Dextromethorphan and promethazine

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. Promethazine is an antihistamine.

Dextromethorphan and promethazine is a combination medicine used to treat cough, stuffy nose, runny nose, and sneezing caused by colds or allergies.

dextromethorphan and promethazine is for use in adults and children at least 2 years old.

Dextromethorphan and promethazine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Dextromethorphan and promethazine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

This medicine may cause serious side effects. Stop using this medicine and call your doctor at once if you have:

weak or shallow breathing, breathing that stops during sleep;

unusual restlessness or excitement;

uncontrolled muscle movements in your neck, tongue, or eyes;

fast, slow, or uneven heart rate;

hallucinations, ringing in your ears;

a seizure;

fever, chills, weakness;

easy bruising, unusual bleeding;

yellowing of your skin or eyes; or

severe nervous system reaction--very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Common side effects of dextromethorphan and promethazine may include:

drowsiness, dizziness;

dry mouth, nose, or throat;

blurred vision;

nausea, vomiting; or

loss of coordination.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Before taking Dextromethorphan and promethazine

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to dextromethorphan or promethazine, or if you have:

asthma or other breathing problems; or

an allergy to medicines similar to promethazine (chlorpromazine, fluphenazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine, and others).

Do not use this medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur. MAO inhibitors include isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, tranylcypromine, and others.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), sleep apnea, or other breathing disorder;

a seizure;

eczema;

bone marrow depression;

glaucoma;

a stomach ulcer;

blockage in your stomach or intestines;

a bladder obstruction or other urination problems;

an enlarged prostate;

liver disease;

heart problems; or

if you are on bed rest or otherwise debilitated.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Taking this medicine during the last 2 weeks of pregnancy may increase the risk of bleeding in the newborn baby.

Ask a doctor before giving this medicine to a child younger than 12 years old.

Relate drugs

How to use Dextromethorphan and promethazine

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Do not use dextromethorphan and promethazine in a child younger than 2 years old, and carefully follow all dosing directions about use in a child 2 years or older. Promethazine can slow the breathing, which has caused death in very young children.

Measure liquid medicine with the supplied syringe or a dose-measuring device (not a kitchen spoon).

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests, and may cause false results on a pregnancy test. Tell the doctor or laboratory staff if you have taken dextromethorphan and promethazine in the past few days.

Call your doctor if your symptoms do not improve, or if they get worse.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Warnings

Promethazine can slow the breathing, which has caused death in very young children. Do not use dextromethorphan and promethazine in a child younger than 2 years old. Follow all directions when giving the medicine to a child 2 years or older.

Do not use dextromethorphan and promethazine if you have used an MAO inhibitor in the past 14 days, such as isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, or tranylcypromine.

What other drugs will affect Dextromethorphan and promethazine

Using dextromethorphan and promethazine with other drugs that make you drowsy can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

an antidepressant;

a barbiturate such as phenobarbital;

bronchodilator asthma medication;

cold or allergy medicine (Benadryl and others);

medicine to treat Parkinson's disease;

medicine to treat overactive bladder; or

medicine to treat stomach problems, motion sickness, or irritable bowel syndrome.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect dextromethorphan and promethazine, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Disclaimer

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Drugslib.com is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Drugslib.com information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Drugslib.com does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Drugslib.com's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Drugslib.com's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners.

The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Drugslib.com does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Drugslib.com provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.