Promethazine

Promethazine is prescribed to help reduce allergic reactions such as a runny nose, watery eyes or rashes and hives. It can also be administered on an emergency basis to patients who are suffering an inability to breathe or severe swelling due to an allergic reaction.

Side Effects/Warnings

This medication can be fatal to children. Children who are under the age of two should never take it, and those beween the ages of two and sixteen should be monitored for breathing difficulties if they take it. Children under the age of 16 should not take a version of this medication that is combined with codeine.

This medication should not be administered intravenously because of the risk of severe tissue damage and gangrene, an infection of the blood and tissue that may require amputation of a limb.

The medication should never be taken along with other medications that slow down the respiratory system because of the risk that the system will slow down to the point that the patient stops breathing and dies.