About Promethazine 25 mg Tablet
Promethazine 25 mg Tablet contains Promethazine 25 mg. This is a sedating antihistamine. It is used to relieve allergy symptoms, to prevent and treat nausea and motion sickness, and for short-term help with sleep. It causes marked drowsiness, which can last into the next day. It must not be given to children under 2 years.
Uses of Promethazine 25 mg Tablet
- Allergies such as hay fever, itchy rash and hives
- Nausea, vomiting and motion sickness
- Short-term help with sleep problems
- Sedation before some procedures (as decided by a doctor)
Benefits
In allergies
It eases itching, sneezing and a runny nose, and the drowsiness can help if itching keeps you awake.
In nausea and motion sickness
It helps prevent and settle nausea and vomiting, especially when taken before travel.
Side effects
Most side effects are mild and settle as your body gets used to the medicine. Talk to your doctor if any of them bother you or do not go away.
Common
- Drowsiness
- Dry mouth
- Dizziness
- Blurred vision
- Headache
- Difficulty concentrating
Get medical help if you notice
- Slow or shallow breathing — seek emergency care
- High fever with stiff muscles, sweating, confusion or a fast heartbeat — seek emergency care (a rare but serious reaction)
- Uncontrolled movements, muscle spasms or confusion (especially in children and older people) — get medical help
- Yellowing of the skin or eyes — contact your doctor
- Fever, sore throat or unusual bruising — contact your doctor
- Allergic reaction: rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips or throat, or difficulty breathing — seek emergency care
How to use
Take it exactly as your doctor prescribed or as the label advises. Swallow the tablet with water; it can be taken with or without food. For motion sickness, take it before the journey as advised.
How it works
It blocks histamine, a chemical released during allergic reactions. It also acts on the brain to reduce nausea and cause drowsiness.
Safety advice
Alcohol Unsafe
Avoid alcohol. It greatly increases drowsiness and can slow breathing.
Pregnancy Consult your doctor
Use only if your doctor advises it, especially near the end of pregnancy.
Breastfeeding Consult your doctor
It may pass into breast milk and make the baby drowsy. Ask your doctor before using it.
Driving Caution
It causes marked drowsiness that can last into the next day. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how it affects you.
Kidney Caution
Use with caution in kidney disease.
Liver Caution
Use with caution in liver disease; tell your doctor.
If you miss a dose
It is often taken when needed. If you take it regularly and miss a dose, take it when you remember unless the next dose is due soon. Do not take two doses together.
Quick tips
- Do not give it to children under 2 years.
- Expect drowsiness; do not drive the next day if you still feel sleepy.
- Avoid strong sunlight, as your skin may burn more easily.
- Tell your doctor if you have epilepsy, glaucoma, breathing problems or difficulty passing urine.
Substitutes
Same salts in the same strength from other makers. Only switch brands on your doctor's or pharmacist's advice; our pharmacist checks every order against the prescription.
Fact box
- Chemical class
- Phenothiazine
- Therapeutic class
- Anti-allergy / antiemetic / sedative
- Action class
- Sedating H1 antihistamine
- Habit forming
- No
- Prescription
- Required
Interactions with other medicines
Tell your doctor and pharmacist about every medicine, vitamin and herbal product you take.
| Medicine | What can happen |
|---|---|
| Alcohol, opioid painkillers, sleeping pills, sedatives | Increased drowsiness and risk of slowed breathing |
| MAOI antidepressants | May increase side effects |
| Other medicines with anticholinergic effects (such as some antidepressants) | More dry mouth, constipation, blurred vision and confusion |
This page is general information to help you understand your medicine. It is not a substitute for advice from your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop or change a medicine on your own.
Written by the Asthra Health Care team from the approved prescribing information (Promethazine hydrochloride prescribing information (CDSCO-approved labelling); NICE BNF: promethazine hydrochloride). Pharmacist review pending.