Health Library

Promethazine (Into the rectum)

Promethazine (proe-METH-a-zeen)

Treats allergies and motion sickness. Also used before and after surgery and other procedures as a sedative and to control pain or nausea and vomiting. This medicine is a phenothiazine.

Brand Name(s):

Phenadoz, Phenergan, Promethegan

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Suppository

• Your doctor will tell you how much medicine to use. Do not use more than directed.
• Wash your hands with soap and water before and after using this medicine. Remove the foil or wrapper from the suppository before inserting it.
• Lie on your left side with your left leg straight or slightly bent, and your right knee bent upward. Gently push the pointed end of the suppository into the rectum about 1 inch.
• Keep lying down for about 15 minutes to keep the suppository from coming out before it melts. Then, wash your hands again.
• To make the suppository easier to insert, you may use a lubricating gel such as K-Y® Jelly, but do not use petroleum jelly (Vaseline®).
• Never take rectal suppositories by mouth.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• You may store the suppositories in the refrigerator, but do not freeze them.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how promethazine works. Tell your doctor if you are also using an MAO inhibitor (MAOI).
• Tell your doctor if you use anything else that makes you sleepy. Some examples are allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, and alcohol.

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have liver disease, heart or blood vessel disease, glaucoma, a stomach ulcer, bowel problems, an enlarged prostate, bone marrow problems, trouble urinating, or seizures. Also tell your doctor if you have breathing problems, such as COPD, asthma, or sleep apnea.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Breathing problems, which could be life-threatening
  • Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (a nerve disorder that can be life-threatening)
  • Liver problems
• Use in children: Give the medicine exactly as directed by the child's doctor. Too much of this medicine can cause death in a young child. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old, unless your doctor tells you to.
• This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
• This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Fever, sweating, confusion, uneven heartbeat, muscle stiffness
• Lightheadedness or fainting
• Seeing or hearing things that are not there (especially in children)
• Seizures
• Trouble breathing, slow breathing
• Twitching or muscle movements you cannot control
• Yellow skin or eyes

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Blurred vision
• Nausea, vomiting, constipation

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088

Last Updated: 9/6/2024