There may be symptoms like headache, lightheadedness, drowsiness, nausea, upset stomach, headache, constipation, or dry mouth. Inform your doctor or pharmacist right away if any of these side effects persist or worsen.

When getting out of a sitting or lying position, take it slowly to lessen the chance of experiencing lightheadedness and dizziness.

It may become harder to breathe and clear your lungs as a result of this medication’s tendency to dry out and thicken lung mucus. Drink plenty of fluids to help prevent this effect, unless your doctor instructs you otherwise.

Recall that your doctor has prescribed this medication because they believe it will benefit you more than it will cause negative side effects. Many users of this medication report no significant adverse effects.

How should I take promethazine?

Adhere to your doctor’s prescription for promethazine exactly. Observe the instructions on the label of your medication. Occasionally, your doctor may adjust your dosage to ensure you receive the best possible outcomes. Never take this medication for longer than is advised or in larger or smaller doses.

It’s common to take methazine right before bed or before eating. Promethazine is typically started for motion sickness one hour prior to travel. Promethazine for surgical purposes is typically taken the night before the procedure.

The condition being treated will determine how often you take this medication and when to take it.

Using the included dosing syringe, a dose-measuring spoon, or a medicine cup, measure liquid medication. Ask your doctor if you don’t have a dose-measuring device.

Inform your doctor if a child taking this medication experiences any changes in weight. Children’s doses of methazine are determined by their weight, so any changes could have an impact on your child’s dosage.

If, while taking promethazine, your symptoms do not go better or worsen, give your doctor a call.

Certain medical tests may yield unexpected results when this medication is used. Inform any medical professional treating you that you take promethazine.

Keep out of the heat, light, and moisture at room temperature.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include overactive reflexes, loss of coordination, severe drowsiness or weakness, fainting, dilated pupils, weak or shallow breathing, or seizure (convulsions).

What to avoid

This medication may cause cognitive or behavioral side effects. If you must be alert for anything, such as driving, exercise caution. Refrain from standing up quickly after sitting or lying down as this could cause vertigo. To avoid falling, get to your feet carefully and steadily.

Alcohol consumption may intensify some of promethazine’s negative effects.

Stay out of the sun and tanning beds. Promethazine can increase your susceptibility to sunburn. When you’re outside, put on protective gear and apply sunscreen with an SPF of 30 or higher.

actavis promethazine side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using promethazine and call your doctor at once if you have:

• severe drowsiness, weak or shallow breathing;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• confusion, agitation, hallucinations, nightmares;
• seizure (convulsions);
• fast or slow heartbeats;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• uncontrolled muscle movements in your face (chewing, lip smacking, frowning, tongue movement, blinking or eye movement);
• easy bruising or bleeding (nosebleeds, bleeding gums);
• sudden weakness or ill feeling, fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, red or swollen gums, trouble swallowing; or
• severe nervous system reaction–very stiff (rigid) muscles, high fever, sweating, confusion, fast or uneven heartbeats, tremors, feeling like you might pass out.

Side effects such as confusion and severe drowsiness may be more likely in older adults.

Common promethazine side effects may include:

• drowsiness, dizziness;
• ringing in your ears;
• double vision;
• feeling nervous;
• dry mouth; or
• tired feeling, sleep problems (insomnia).

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect actavis promethazine?

Cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can interact with promethazine and cause medical problems or increase side effects. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines.

Also tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:

• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
• atropine (Atreza, Sal-Tropine), belladonna (Donnatal, and others), benztropine (Cogentin), dimenhydrinate (Dramamine), methscopolamine (Pamine), or scopolamine (Transderm-Scop);
• blood pressure medication such as guanadrel (Hylorel), guanethidine (Ismelin), propranolol (Inderal), and others;
• a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
• bronchodilators such as ipratropium (Atrovent) or tiotropium (Spiriva);
• bladder or urinary medications such as oxybutynin (Ditropan, Oxytrol), solifenacin (Vesicare), and others;
• an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), tranylcypromine (Parnate), phenelzine (Nardil), or selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam); or
• medicines to treat Parkinson’s disease, restless leg syndrome, or pituitary gland tumor (prolactinoma); or
• medicine to treat stomach ulcer or irritable bowel syndrome, such as dicyclomine (Bentyl), glycopyrrolate (Robinul), hyoscyamine (Anaspaz, Cystospaz, Levsin, and others), mepenzolate (Cantil), or propantheline (Pro-Banthine).

This list is not complete and there are many other medicines that can interact with promethazine. Tell your doctor about all your prescription and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.