Phenylephrine And Promethazine: What Should I Discuss With My Healthcare Provider Before Taking Phenylephrine And Promethazine

Content provided by Cerner Multum, Inc.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking phenylephrine and promethazine?

Do not take phenylephrine and promethazine if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), tranylcypromine (Parnate), or selegiline (Eldepryl) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

Before taking phenylephrine and promethazine, tell your doctor if you have

• epilepsy or a seizure disorder;
• been diagnosed with sleep apnea (periods of not breathing during sleep);
• thyroid problems;
• diabetes;
• glaucoma;
• an ulcer or an obstruction in the stomach;
• bladder problems or difficulty urinating;
• an enlarged prostate;
• high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, or heart disease;
• kidney problems; or
• liver problems.

You may not be able to take phenylephrine and promethazine, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Phenylephrine and promethazine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether phenylephrine and promethazine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take phenylephrine and promethazine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether phenylephrine and promethazine passes into breast milk. Do not take phenylephrine and promethazine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from phenylephrine and promethazine. Your doctor may prescribe a lower dose of this medication.

Last updated:	February 13, 2004