What is Promethazine DM?

Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.
Promethazine is an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in your body.
The combination of dextromethorphan and promethazine used to treat cough, itching, runny nose, sneezing, and itchy or watery eyes caused by colds or allergies.
Dextromethorphan will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.
Dextromethorphan and promethazine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Promethazine DM?

Call your doctor immediately if you experience uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs. These could be early signs of dangerous side effects.
Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.
Do not use dextromethorphan and promethazine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take dextromethorphan and promethazine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, or allergy medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of one or more types of medicine. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains dextromethorphan.
Dextromethorphan will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.

Promethazine VC side effects.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Promethazine DM?

Do not use dextromethorphan and promethazine if you have asthma or other lung disease.
Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take a cough or cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Before taking dextromethorphan and promethazine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have emphysema or chronic bronchitis. You may not be able to use this medication, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
Before taking dextromethorphan and promethazine, tell your doctor if you have:

• epilepsy or another seizure disorder
• emphysema or chronic bronchitis
• sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep)
• glaucoma
• a stomach ulcer or digestive obstruction
• bone marrow disorder
• problems with urination
• high blood pressure or heart disease; or
• liver disease

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use dextromethorphan and promethazine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk or if it could harm an unborn baby. Do not use dextromethorphan and promethazine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.Promethazine DM Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Promethazine DM?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using dextromethorphan and promethazine and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
* uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs
* tremors, twitching, or uncontrolled muscle movements in your face, arms, or legs
* severe dizziness, anxiety, restless feeling, or nervousness
* hallucinations (seeing or hearing things)
* confusion, hallucinations; or
* slow, shallow breathing, weak pulse
* nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
* fever, muscle stiffness, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeat, sweating, fainting
Keep taking dextromethorphan and promethazine and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:
* dizziness, drowsiness, sleepiness, or confusion
* blurred vision, dry mouth
* ringing in your ears
* nausea or vomiting; or
* increased sensitivity to sunlight
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs affect Promethazine DM?

Before taking dextromethorphan and promethazine, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

• celecoxib (Celebrex)
• cinacalcet (Sensipar)
• darifenacin (Enablex)
• imatinib (Gleevec)
• quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex)
• ranolazine (Ranexa)
• ritonavir (Norvir)
• sibutramine (Meridia)
• terbinafine (Lamisil)
• medicines to treat high blood pressure
• antidepressant medications such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon), bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban), fluoxetine (Prozac, Sarafem), fluvoxamine (Luvox), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft), and others
• sedatives or anxiety medicines such as alprazolam (Xanax), diazepam (Valium), chlordiazepoxide (Librium), temazepam (Restoril), or triazolam (Halcion)
• phenobarbital (Luminal), amobarbital (Amytal) and secobarbital (Seconal); or
• atropine (Donnatal, and others), belladonna, clidinium (Quarzan), dicyclomine (Bentyl), glycopyrrolate (Robinul), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), methscopolamine (Pamine), and scopolamine (Transderm-Scop)

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use dextromethorphan and promethazine, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect dextromethorphan and promethazine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What should I avoid while taking Promethazine DM?

This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It can increase some of the side effects of dextromethorphan and promethazine.
Avoid taking diet pills, caffeine pills, or other stimulants (such as ADHD medications) without your doctor’s advice. Taking a stimulant together with cough medicine can increase your risk of unpleasant side effects.
Avoid using other drugs that make you sleepy (such as cold medicine, sleeping pills, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety).
Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, or allergy medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. Dextromethorphan is contained in many medicines available over the counter. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of this medicine. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains dextromethorphan.

Promethazine VC Dosage

How should I take Promethazine VC (Phenylephrine Promethazine)?

Take phenylephrine and promethazine exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand the directions on your prescription bottle, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain the instructions to you.
Phenylephrine and promethazine can be taken with or without food.
To ensure that you get a correct dose, measure the liquid form of phenylephrine and promethazine with a special dose-measuring spoon or cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask your pharmacist where you can get one.
Store phenylephrine and promethazine at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I overdose on Promethazine VC (Phenylephrine Promethazine)?

Seek emergency medical attention if an overdose is suspected.
Symptoms of a phenylephrine and promethazine overdose include severe drowsiness, dizziness, headache, seizures, dry mouth, large pupils, flushing, nausea, vomiting, difficulty breathing, and unconsciousness.

What happens if I miss a dose of Promethazine VC (Phenylephrine Promethazine)?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com