ANTIHISTAMINES, PHENOTHIAZINE-DERIVATIVE

Brand & Generic Names

Anergan 25	Pherazine VC
Anergan 50	Pherazine VC with Codeine
Histantil	PMS Promethazine
Mallergan-VC with Codeine	Pro-50
METHDILAZINE	Promerhegan
Panectyl	Prometh VC Plain
Pentazine	Prometh VC with Codeine
Phenameth	Prometh-25
Phenameth VC with Codeine	Prometh-50
Phenazine 25	Prometharazine VC
Phenazine 50	PROMETHAZINE
Phencen-50	Prorex-25
Phenergan	Prorex-50
Phenergan Fortis	Prothazine
Phenergan Plain	Prothazine Plain
Phenergan VC	Tacaryl
Phenergan VC with Codeine	TRIMEPRAZINE
Phenergan with Codeine	V-Gan-25
Phenergan with Dextromorphen	V-Gan-50
Phenoject-50

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Tranquilizer (phenothiazine), antihistamine

Uses

• Relieves itching of hives, skin allergies, chickenpox.
• Treatment for hay fever, motion sickness, vertigo.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet or syrup--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation.
Extended-release capsules--Swallow each dose whole. If you take regular tablets, you may chew or crush them.

When to take:
At the same times each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Blocks histamine action in skin.

Time lapse before drug works:
1 to 2 hours.

Don't take with:
Antacid or medicine for diarrhea.
Non-prescription drug for cough, cold or allergy.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Fast heartbeat, flushed face, shortness of breath, clumsiness, drowsiness, muscle spasms, jerking movements of head and face.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or 0 (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see previous section.

Common:

• Restlessness, tremor, drowsiness, tiredness, weakness.
• Decreased sweating, dry mouth, nasal congestion, constipa- tion.

Infrequent:

• Fainting.
• Rash, muscle spasms of face and neck, unsteady gait.
• Difficult urination, less interest in sex, swollen breasts, menstrual irregularities, dizziness, nausea, vomiting.

Rare:

Change in vision, sore throat, fever, jaundice, confusion, nightmares, unusual excitement.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any phenothiazine.
• You have a blood or bone marrow disease.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.
• If you have asthma, emphysema or other lung disorder.
• If you take non-prescription ulcer medicine, asthma medicine or amphetamines.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. More likely to develop tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movement of jaws, lips, tongue, chewing). Report this to your doctor immediately. Early treatment can help.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining milk supply.

Infants & children:
Don't give to children younger than 2.

Prolonged use:

• May lead to tardive dyskinesia (involuntary movement of jaws, lips, tongue; chewing).
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies to check complete blood counts (white blood cell count, platelet count, red blood cell count, hemoglobin, hematocrit), liver function, eyes.

Skin & sunlight:
May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or sunlamp. Skin may remain sensitive for 3 months after discontinuing.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:
May be unnecessary to finish medicine. Follow doctor's instructions.

Others:
May affect results in some medical tests.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
-------------------------	-----------------------
Antacids*	Decreased antihistamine effect.
Anticholinergics*	Increased anticholinergic effect.
Anticonvulsants,	Increased anticonvulsant effect.
Antidepressants,	Increased antihistamine effect.
Antihistamines*,	Increased antihistamine effect.
Antithyroid drugs*	Increased risk of bone marrow
	depression.
Appetite suppressants*	Decreased appetite suppression effect.
Barbiturates*	Oversedation.
Carteolol	Decreased antihistamine effect.
Central nervous	Dangerous degree of sedation.
Cisapride	Decreased antihistamine effect.
Clozapine	Toxic effect on the central nervous
	system.
Dronabinol	Increased effects of both drugs.
	Avoid.
Epinephrine	Decreased epinephrine effect.
Ethinamate	Dangerous increased effects of
	ethinamate. Avoid combining.
Extrapyramidal	Increased frequency and severity of
reaction-causing	extrapyramidal reactions.
Fluoxetine	Increased depressant effects of
	both drugs.
Guanfacine	May increase depressant effects of
	either medicine.
Guanethidine	Decreased guanethidine effect.
Leucovorin	High alcohol content of leucovorin
	may cause adverse effects.
Levodopa	Decreased levodopa effect.
MAO inhibitors*	Increased antihistamine effect.
Methyprylon	May increase sedative effect to
	dangerous level. Avoid.
Metyrosine	Increased likelihood of toxic
	symptoms of each.
Mind-altering	Increased effect of mind-altering
drugs*	drugs.
Molindone	Increased sedative and antihistamine
	effect.
Nabilone	Greater depression of central
	nervous system.
Narcotics*	Increased narcotic effect.
Sedatives*	Increased sedative effect.
Sertraline	Increased depressive effects of both
	drugs.
Sotalol	Increased antihistamine effect.
Tranquilizers*	Increased tranquilizer effect. Avoid.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Dangerous oversedation.
Beverages:	None expected.
Cocaine:	Decreased trimeprazine effect. Avoid.
Foods:	None expected.
Marijuana:	Drowsiness.