Phenergan w Codeine

1 What is Phenergan w Codeine?

Brand: Phenergan w Codeine

Generic: Promethazine and Codeine

Phenergan w Codeine si used for the relief of a cough, runny or stuffy nose, sneezing, or other symptoms caused by allergies or the common cold.

This drug works by preventing the effects of histamine such as itching, sneezing, runny nose, and watery eyes.

This drug can cause bronchoconstriction making breathing difficult. It also acts on the central nervous system for relief of pain. This drug requires a prescription.

2 What to Know Before Using

Before using Phenergan w Codeine, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. Inform your healthcare provider for any allergic reactions to these drugs or any other drugs, foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. Carefully read the label of non-prescription drugs for any possible allergic reaction or contraindications.

This drug is not recommended for use in children younger than 6 years of age due to the increased risk of respiratory depression. This drug is contraindicated for use in pain relief after surgery to remove tonsils and/or adenoids in any children since severe breathing problems and deaths have been reported in some children who received codeine after tonsil or adenoid surgery.

Studies in the elderly have not demonstrated any geriatric-specific problems that would limit the utility of promethazine and codeine combination. Adjustments in the dose of the elderly may be required since they are more likely to have unwanted effects such as confusion, drowsiness, and age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems.

Adverse effects have been reported in animal studies but studies in pregnant women or animals are still inadequate. Infant risk is still undetermined when taking this drug during breastfeeding. Discuss with your healthcare professional about the risks and benefits of this drug before breastfeeding.

Drugs should not be taken together to prevent any interactions but in necessary cases inquire your healthcare provider regarding the adjustments in dosage or any other necessary precautions to prevent any unwanted side effects.

Inform your healthcare professional if you are taking any other drugs such as:

  • CNS depressants
  • Anticholinergics
  • Epinephrine
  • or Monoamine oxidase inhibitors

Intake of specific food or using alcohol or tobacco with this drug is associated with an increased risk of certain side effects. Your healthcare professional can give you special instructions about the use of food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Inform your healthcare provider for any other medical problems such as:

3 Proper Usage

To use Phenergan w Codeine properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. To prevent any side effects, take this drug exactly as directed on the label or as prescribed by your healthcare professional. Prolonged use of increased doses of this drug can cause mental or physical dependence.

The oral liquid must be measured with a marked measuring spoon, oral syringe, or medicine cup. The dose of this drug will be variable for different patients. The directions on the label or the prescription by your healthcare professional should be followed.

The dosage of this drug you take depends on the medical problem for which you are using this drug. For the relief of symptoms caused by allergies or the common cold in adults and children 12 years of age and older, 5 milliliters is given every 4 to 6 hours.

The dose must not exceed 30 mL in 24 hours. Children 6 to 11 years of age are given 2.5 to 5 mL every 4 to 6 hours. The dose must not exceed 30 mL in 24 hours. Use in children younger than 6 years of age is not recommended.

A missed dose should be taken as soon as possible. However, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule if it is almost time for your next dose.

Store the drug in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing. Keep out of the reach of children. Dispose any outdated or expired drugs and ask your healthcare professional for the proper disposal of the drugs.

4 Precautions to Take

Before using Phenergan w Codeine, there are some precautions you must take. Regular visits should be made to your healthcare provider to track your progress and to monitor the effectiveness of the drug.

Unwanted effects can be screened using blood tests. Check with your healthcare professional if your condition does not improve or become worse.

Contact your healthcare professional immediately if you experience extreme:

  • Sleepiness
  • Confusion
  • Shallow breathing which may be brought about by rapid metabolism of codeine in the body

Children may be particularly sensitive to this effect. Rapid metabolism of codeine could lead to a morphine overdose in the nursing baby and cause very serious side effects. Call your healthcare professional if you become extremely tired and have difficulty caring for your baby.

Your baby should generally nurse every 2 to 3 hours and should not sleep more than 4 hours at a time.

Check with your healthcare professional or hospital emergency room immediately if your baby shows symptoms of overdose such as:

  • Increased sleepiness
  • Difficulty breastfeeding
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Limpness

Take only the prescribed dose to prevent any development of dependence.

Prolonged use of this drug can cause severe constipation and you may be advised to take:

  • Laxatives
  • Drink a lot of fluids
  • Increase the amount of fiber in your diet to prevent this

This drug may cause:

Driving, using machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert should be avoided. You may also feel lightheaded when getting up suddenly from a lying or sit position, so stand up slowly.

This drug will potentiate the effects of alcohol and other CNS depressants such as:

  • Antihistamines or drug for hay fever
  • Allergies or colds
  • Sedatives
  • Tranquilizers or sleeping drug
  • Prescription pain drug or narcotics
  • Drug for seizures or barbiturates
  • Anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics

Check with your healthcare professional immediately if you have symptoms of neuroleptic malignant syndrome such as:

  • Convulsions
  • Difficulty in breathing
  • Fast heartbeat
  • High fever
  • High or low blood pressure
  • Increased sweating
  • Loss of bladder control
  • Severe muscle stiffness
  • Unusually pale skin
  • Tiredness

Seek immediate medical attention if you think you may have taken an overdose of this drug which can manifest as:

  • Extreme sleepiness
  • Confusion
  • Shallow breathing
  • Hallucinations
  • Nausea or vomiting
  • Pinpoint pupils of the eyes
  • Pale or blue lips, fingernails or skin
  • Seizures

Inform the healthcare professional in charge that you are taking this drug before having any medical tests, since the results of some tests may be affected by this drug.

Your skin’s sensitivity to sunlight may be increased by this drug. It is recommended to apply a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Sunlamps and tanning beds should be avoided. It is recommended to use sugarless candy or gum, melt bits of ice in your mouth, or use a saliva substitute for relief since this drug may cause dryness of the mouth.

Check with your health care professional or dentist if your mouth continues to feel dry for more than 2 weeks, since continuing mouth dryness may increase the chance of dental disease, including tooth decay, gum disease, and fungus infections. Consult with your healthcare professional before taking any other prescription or nonprescription drugs, and herbal or vitamin supplements.

5 Potential Side Effects

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Phenergan w Codeine. Side effects may vary for each individual and prompt medical attention should be given if they occur.

Seek advice from your healthcare professional immediately if you experience any unusual symptoms such as:

  • Abdominal or stomach pain
  • Bluish lips or skin
  • Chills
  • Clay-colored stools
  • Cold sweats
  • Confusion
  • Convulsions
  • Cough
  • Dark urine
  • Decrease in the frequency of urination
  • Decrease in the urine volume
  • Diarrhea
  • Difficult or troubled breathing
  • Difficulty in passing urine
  • Dizziness
  • Faintness or lightheadedness when getting up from lying or sitting position
  • Fast, pounding or irregular heartbeat or pulse
  • Feeling of warmth
  • Fever
  • Headache
  • High fever
  • Hives or welts
  • Increased sweating
  • Irregular, fast or slow or shallow breathing
  • Itching large, hive-like swelling on the face, eyelids, lips, tongue, throat, hands, legs, feet, or sex organs
  • Loss of appetite
  • Loss of bladder control
  • Nausea
  • Noisy breathing
  • Not breathing
  • Painful urination
  • Pale or blue lips, fingernails or skin
  • Rash
  • Rectal bleeding
  • Redness of the face, neck, arms, and occasionally, upper chest
  • Redness of the skin
  • Seeing, hearing or feeling things that are not there
  • Severe muscle
  • Stiffness
  • Shakiness in the legs, arms, or hands
  • Shortness of breath
  • Sweating
  • Tightness in the chest
  • Tiredness
  • Trembling or shaking of the hands or feet
  • Unpleasant breath odor
  • Unusual tiredness or weakness
  • Unusually pale skin
  • Vomiting of blood
  • Yellow eyes or skin
  • or Symptoms of overdose such as:
    • Cold
    • Clammy skin
    • Dry mouth
    • Fainting
    • Irregular heartbeat
    • No blood pressure or pulse
    • No muscle tone or movement
    • Pinpoint pupils
    • Stopping of the heart
    • Unconsciousness

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. As your body adjusts to the medicine, the side effects will slowly disappear. Ask your healthcare professional about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

If any of the following side effects persists or are inconvenient, or if you notice any other effects, or if you have any questions about them, consult with your health care professional. Report any side effects to the FDA hotline at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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