What is Promethazine HCl?

Promethazine hydrochloride (HCl) (marketed as Phenergan) is an antihistamine used to treat the following conditions:

• "hay fever" or a stuffy runny nose from allergy
• watery, itchy eyes due to inhaled allergies and foods
• mild allergic skin reactions
• allergic reactions to blood or plasma
• dermographism (a form of hives known as "skin writing")
• serious allergic reactions along with epinephrine and other treatments
• motion sickness

Promethazine is also used in the following circumstances:

• sedation before or after surgery, or during child birth
• prevention and control of nausea and vomiting after surgery
• along with meperidine (Demerol) or other pain medications
• sedation, relief of anxiety, and production of light sleep from which the patient can be easily aroused

Promethazine was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1951.

Promethazine - FDA Alert

In April 2006, the FDA issued an alert notifying healthcare professionals and the public that promethazine HCl should not be given to children less than two years old, because of possible breathing problems. This warning pertains to promethazine in any form: syrups, suppositories, tablets, or injectables. The FDA has received reports of breathing problems (some fatal) when promethazine was administered to children less than two years old. Parents and caregivers should get a healthcare professional's advice about giving promethazine in any form to children age two and older. The labeling on all promethazine HCl products (both brand name and generic) has been changed to reflect these strengthened warnings. Click here to read more from the FDA.

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