45 Facts About Phenergan

What is Phenergan?

Phenergan, also known as promethazine, is a versatile medication used for various medical conditions. It belongs to the class of phenothiazines and works by blocking the effects of histamine in the body. Here are some key facts about Phenergan.

1. Brand Name and Generic Name: Phenergan is the brand name for promethazine, which is also available under other brand names like Phenadoz and Promethegan.

2. Drug Class: Phenergan is classified as an antihistamine and a phenothiazine antiemetic.

3. Mechanism of Action: Promethazine works by changing the actions of chemicals in the brain, particularly by blocking histamine receptors. This action helps in reducing allergic symptoms and preventing nausea.

Uses and Applications

Phenergan has a wide range of uses, from treating allergies to preventing motion sickness. Let's explore its various applications.

4. Uses: Phenergan is used to treat a variety of conditions, including allergy symptoms such as itching, runny nose, sneezing, itchy or watery eyes, hives, and itchy skin rashes. It is also used to prevent motion sickness and treat nausea and vomiting associated with surgery or anesthesia.

5. Sedative Properties: Phenergan has sedative properties and is often used as a sleep aid. It can relieve apprehension and produce a light sleep from which a person can be easily aroused.

6. Administration Forms: Phenergan is available in various forms, including oral tablets, oral syrup, compounding powder, injectable form, and rectal suppositories.

7. Dosage Forms: The medication is available in different dosage forms, including 12.5mg, 25mg, and 50mg tablets and rectal suppositories.

Safety and Precautions

While Phenergan is effective, it comes with certain risks and precautions that users should be aware of.

8. Contraindications: Phenergan should not be given to children younger than 2 years old due to the risk of severe breathing problems or death. It should also not be used in children under 6 years old in New Zealand.

9. Side Effects: Common side effects of Phenergan include drowsiness, dizziness, and blurred vision. It can also cause severe drowsiness, weak or shallow breathing, confusion, agitation, hallucinations, nightmares, seizure (convulsions), fast or slow heartbeats, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), and uncontrolled muscle movements.

10. Allergic Reactions: Phenergan can cause severe allergic reactions, including hives, difficult breathing, and swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. If such symptoms occur, immediate medical attention is required.

11. Interactions with Other Medications: Phenergan can interact with other medications, such as opioids, which may enhance its sedative effects. It is also contraindicated in patients with asthma or other lower respiratory tract disorders.

12. Precautions: Patients with certain medical conditions, such as liver or kidney problems, heart disease, diabetes, seizures, or those taking other medications, are more at risk of developing side effects. Alcohol should be avoided while taking Phenergan as it may increase the risk of sedation and respiratory depression.

Special Considerations

Certain conditions and patient groups require special attention when using Phenergan.

13. Skin Reactions: Phenergan can cause skin reactions such as redness or skin eruptions. Patients should avoid excessive sun exposure or artificial ultraviolet light and seek medical advice if such reactions occur.

14. Muscle Movements: Uncontrolled muscle movements in the face, arms, or legs are potential side effects. Patients should report any unusual facial or body movements to their doctor.

15. Respiratory Depression: Phenergan can lead to potentially fatal respiratory depression, especially in children under 2 years old. It should be used cautiously in patients with compromised respiratory function.

16. Seizure Threshold: The medication may lower the seizure threshold and should be used with caution in patients with seizure disorders or those taking concomitant medications that affect seizure threshold.

17. Liver and Kidney Function: Phenergan should be used cautiously in patients with impairment of liver function. It is also important to monitor liver function while taking this medication.

18. Cardiovascular Disease: The medication should be used with caution in patients with cardiovascular disease. It can cause changes in heart rate and blood pressure.

19. Glaucoma: Phenergan should be used with caution in patients with narrow-angle glaucoma due to its anticholinergic properties.

20. Prostatic Hypertrophy: The medication should be used with caution in patients with prostatic hypertrophy due to its anticholinergic effects.

21. Stomach Ulcer or Obstruction: Phenergan should be used with caution in patients with stomach ulcers or obstruction due to its anticholinergic properties.

22. Bladder-Neck Obstruction: The medication should be used with caution in patients with bladder-neck obstruction due to its anticholinergic effects.

Long-Term Use and Special Populations

Phenergan's effects on long-term use and specific populations are important to understand.

23. Carcinogenesis, Mutagenesis, Impairment of Fertility: Long-term animal studies have not been performed to assess the carcinogenic potential of promethazine. It was nonmutagenic in the Salmonella test system of Ames.

24. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: Phenergan should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding unless the doctor has advised it is safe to do so. There have been no conclusive studies on the adverse effects of Phenergan on pregnant women, but it is generally recommended to avoid it two weeks before delivery due to its potential to cause irritability and excitement in pregnant women.

25. Onset of Action: The effects of Phenergan are noticeable within 20 minutes of oral administration. Its effects last for 4-6 hours, although they may persist for up to 12 hours in some people.

26. Duration of Action: The duration of action can vary depending on the individual, but generally, it works for several hours. The exact duration can be influenced by factors such as age, health status, and dosage.

27. Combination with Other Medications: Phenergan is often combined with other medications such as phenylephrine (Prometh Hydrochloride), codeine (Prometh VC), or dextromethorphan (Promethazine DM) for enhanced therapeutic effects.

28. Generic Availability: The Phenergan brand name has been discontinued in the U.S., but generic versions are available under the name promethazine.

Ingredients and Storage

Knowing the ingredients and proper storage of Phenergan is crucial for its effectiveness.

29. Inactive Ingredients: The inactive ingredients in Phenergan tablets include lactose monohydrate, maize starch, povidone, magnesium stearate, hypromellose, macrogol 200, and Opaspray Blue M-1-4210A. The elixir contains maltitol solution, acesulfame potassium, sodium benzoate, sodium citrate dihydrate, citric acid monohydrate, sodium sulfite, sodium metabisulfite, ascorbic acid, caramel, and orange juice flavor.

30. Appearance: Phenergan tablets are circular, film-coated biconvex tablets with bevelled edges. The 10mg tablets are pale blue in color with 'PN’ above ‘10' on one face, while the 25mg tablets are also pale blue with 'PN’ above ‘25' on one face.

31. Storage: The medication should be stored in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight. The tablets should be kept in their original packaging to maintain their potency.

Usage in Different Age Groups

Phenergan's effects can vary based on the age of the user. Here are some considerations for different age groups.

32. Driving and Operating Machinery: Phenergan can cause drowsiness and dizziness, which may impair a person's ability to drive or operate machinery. Patients should avoid driving or operating heavy machinery while taking this medication.

33. Pediatric Use: Phenergan is not recommended for children under 6 years old in New Zealand due to the risk of fatal respiratory depression. Children over 2 years old should only be given Phenergan after medical advice at the lowest effective dose.

34. Geriatric Use: Seniors or children with certain medical conditions are more at risk of developing a wider range of side effects. The medication should be used with caution in elderly patients due to its potential to exacerbate age-related health issues.

Treating Allergies and Other Conditions

Phenergan is effective in treating various allergic reactions and other conditions.

35. Allergic Contact Dermatitis: Phenergan can be used to treat allergic contact dermatitis, which is an allergic reaction to substances that come into contact with the skin.

36. Hay Fever: The medication is effective in treating hay fever symptoms such as runny nose and itchy eyes.

37. Hives: Phenergan can be used to treat hives, which are itchy, raised welts on the skin caused by an allergic reaction.

38. Motion Sickness: Phenergan is commonly used to prevent motion sickness, which is a feeling of nausea and dizziness caused by traveling.

39. Nausea and Vomiting: The medication is effective in treating nausea and vomiting associated with surgery or anesthesia.

Sedative Uses

Phenergan's sedative properties make it useful in various medical scenarios.

40. Obstetric Sedation: Phenergan can be used as a sedative during labor to relieve apprehension and produce a light sleep from which a person can be easily aroused.

41. Postoperative Sedation: The medication is often used as a sedative post-operatively to help patients relax and sleep.

42. Preoperative Sedation: Phenergan can be used as a preoperative sedative to help patients relax before surgery.

Special Forms and Dosage Adjustments

Phenergan comes in various forms and requires careful dosage adjustments.

43. Rectal Suppositories: The rectal suppository form of Phenergan is useful for treating perennial and seasonal allergic rhinitis, vasomotor rhinitis, allergic conjunctivitis due to inhalant allergens and foods, mild, uncomplicated allergic skin manifestations of urticaria and angioedema, and amelioration of allergic reactions to blood or plasma.

44. Dosage Adjustments: The dosage of Phenergan should be adjusted to the smallest amount adequate to relieve symptoms. In children or adults, the initial dose may be higher, but it should be adjusted based on individual response.

45. Black Box Warning: Phenergan suppositories are contraindicated for children under 2 years of age due to the risk of fatal respiratory depression. They should be used cautiously in patients with compromised respiratory function and those with seizure disorders.

Final Thoughts on Phenergan

Phenergan, or promethazine, is a versatile medication used for allergies, nausea, and sleep issues. It works by blocking histamine receptors, providing relief from various symptoms. Available in multiple forms like tablets, syrup, and suppositories, it offers flexibility in administration. However, it's not for everyone. Children under 2 shouldn't use it due to severe breathing risks. Common side effects include drowsiness and dizziness, but more serious ones like respiratory depression can occur. Always consult a healthcare professional before using Phenergan, especially if you have underlying health conditions or are taking other medications. Proper storage and dosage adjustments are crucial for its effectiveness and safety. Phenergan's benefits are clear, but caution is key. Stay informed and use it responsibly to get the best results.