Sign inBefore taking promazine
Before taking promazine make sure your doctor or pharmacist knows:
- If you are pregnant, trying for a baby or breast-feeding.
- If you have heart or breathing problems.
- If you have liver problems.
- If you have kidney or prostate problems.
- If you have a blood disorder.
- If you have Parkinson's disease.
- If you have epilepsy or if you are depressed.
- If you have glaucoma (increased pressure in the eye).
- If you have hardening of the arteries, or have had a stroke or TIA ('mini stroke').
- If you have myasthenia gravis (a muscle weakening disease).
- If you have phaeochromocytoma (a growth on the adrenal glands).
- If you have bone marrow depression (a reduced immune system response).
- If you are taking other medicines, including those available to buy without a prescription, herbal or complementary medicines.
- If you have ever had an allergic reaction to this or any other similar medicine.
- Promazine is not suitable for children.
How to take promazine
- Before beginning treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet.
- Take promazine exactly as directed by your doctor.
- Try to take your doses of promazine at the same times each day to avoid missing any doses.
- If you forget to take a dose do not worry, just take the next dose when it is due. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up.
- Do not stop taking promazine without first speaking with your doctor. Your doctor will probably want to reduce the dose you are taking gradually, as stopping treatment suddenly can cause complications.
Getting the most from your treatment
- Keep your regular doctor's appointments so that your progress can be monitored. Your doctor will want to review this treatment regularly.
- Promazine can cause some people's skin to become more sensitive to sunlight than it usually is. Try to avoid the sun or use a suncream higher than factor 15.
- If you are having any treatment like an operation or dental treatment, tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking promazine.
- If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are safe to take with promazine.
Can promazine cause problems?
Along with their useful effects all medicines can cause unwanted side effects which usually improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine. Speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following side effects continue or become troublesome.
| Common side-effects - these affect less than 1 in 10 people who take this medicine | What can I do if I experience this |
| Drowsiness | Make sure your reactions are normal before driving, operating machinery or doing any other jobs which could be dangerous if you were not fully alert. Avoid alcohol; it will increase any feelings of drowsiness |
| Dry mouth | Try chewing sugar-free gum, sucking pieces of ice or sugar-free sweets. If this becomes troublesome speak to your pharmacist or doctor |
| Blurred vision | Make sure that you can see properly before starting any task that may be dangerous if you could not see very well |
| Constipation | Try to eat a well balanced diet containing plenty of fibre and drink 6-8 glasses of water each day. If constipation continues to be a problem speak to your pharmacist or doctor |
| Diarrhoea | Drink plenty of water to replace lost fluids. If diarrhoea continues to be a problem speak to your pharmacist or doctor |
| Dizziness, or light-headedness especially when getting up from a standing or sitting position | Getting up slowly should help. If you begin to feel dizzy, lie down so that you do not faint, then sit for a few minutes before standing. If this continues, let your doctor know |
| Over-heating in hot weather and not being able to get warm in cold weather | Take care not to become over-heated during hot weather and wrap up warmly in cold weather. Let your doctor know about this |
| Headache | Ask your pharmacist to recommend a suitable pain-killer. If the headache continues, let your doctor know |
| Shakiness, abnormal face and body movements, restlessness, uncontrollable movements of the tongue face and jaw, drowsiness, mood changes, insomnia (trouble sleeping), confusion, problems urinating (passing water) and a blocked nose | Speak with your doctor if you suffer from any of these problems |
If you experience any other symptoms which you think may be due to this medicine, speak with your doctor or pharmacist.
How to store promazine
- Keep all medicines out of the reach and sight of children.
- Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct heat and light.
Important information about all medicines
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References
- Manufacturer's PIL, Promazine Hydrochloride 25mg/5ml Oral Syrup (Rosemont Pharmaceuticals Ltd), electronic Medicines Compendium. Dated August 2007, accessed May 2009.
- British National Formulary; 57th Edition (March 2009) British Medical Association and Royal Pharmaceutical Society of Great Britain, London.