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| Pronunciation |
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 (proe METH a zeen & fen il EF
rin) |
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| Brand Names |
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; Phenergan® VC Syrup
; Promethazine VC Plain Syrup
; Promethazine VC Syrup
; Prometh VC Plain Liquid |
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| Therapeutic Categories |
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Antihistamine/Decongestant Combination |
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| What is this medicine used for? |
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- This medicine relieves symptoms (runny nose, sneezing, throat
irritation and itching; watery, irritated, itchy, red eyes) from allergies.
- Long-term nasal congestion and headache are treated by
phenylephrine.
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| How does it work? |
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- Promethazine, if taken before coming in contact with the material that
causes the allergy, blocks the allergic reaction by minimizing/preventing the
body's reaction to the allergen.
- Phenylephrine shrinks swollen nasal tissue and opens up passages.
Sinus drainage is increased by
this.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- This medicine is most effective if started before contact with the
allergen. Take at least 1-3 hours before.
- Make sure you are drinking enough liquids unless told to drink less by
healthcare provider. Avoid products with
caffeine.
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| What do I do if I miss a dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when taking this
medicine? |
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- Wear disease medical alert identification for allergies.
- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor) and other medicines
and herbs that slow your actions and reactions. This includes sedatives,
tranquilizers, mood stabilizers, or pain medicine. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Limit caffeine (for example, tea, coffee, cola) and chocolate intake.
Use with this medicine may cause nervousness, shakiness, rapid heartbeats, and
anxiety.
- Use caution if you have high blood pressure. Talk with healthcare
provider.
- Use caution if you have liver disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure.
These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like
products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting
pregnant.
- Do not use if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects of this
medicine? |
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- Dizziness. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities that require
you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may
help.
- Inability to sleep, nervousness, excitability, and
restlessness.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- Check effectiveness of medicine in preventing or treating
symptoms.
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| Reasons to call healthcare provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Chest pains, fast heartbeats, passing out, fainting, or severe
headache.
- Any rash.
- No improvement in condition or feeling
worse.
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| How should I store this medicine? |
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- Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room
temperature.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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