Promethazine Tablets 25mg (Pack of 56)

Promethazine tablets contain the antihistamine promethazine, and this can be used to treat a range of ailments, including

• Rashes
• Insomnia for short term relief of sleep disturbances
• Hay fever or other allergic reactions
• Allergies
• For red itchy rashes and skin conditions
• Travel sickness relief from nausea for people who don't travel well!

How to take Promethazine

Depending on what you are using Promethazine for, the dosage will vary. You may also vary your dose depending on the response, but this should be done according to the patient information leaflet, or on your doctor's advice. 

Below is a summary of the most common uses of Promethazine and the corresponding dosages.

Insomnia
When taken for insomnia, the usual dose of Promethazine is 25mg taken once daily at night. You should take this around one hour before bedtime. Promethazine is intended for short term use only when treating insomnia, so if your symptoms go on for longer than 3 nights, see your GP.

Hay Fever
Those taking Promethazine for hayfever generally use the 10mg tablet, and this is taken 2-3 times daily depending on symptom control. Many hayfever sufferers prefer non-drowsy anti-histamines however, as these are less likely to impact your alertness during the day. These include cetirizine and loratadine.

Travel Sickness
The dosage of Promethazine, when used to prevent travel sickness, is generally one 25mg tablet taken about 60 minutes before travel. This gives the drug enough time to be absorbed into your system and get to work! Promethazine can be very effective in reducing nausea felt in those travelling by land, air or sea.

What is Promethazine?

Promethazine is an antihistamine medication which is used in a variety of ailments such as allergies, insomnia, travel sickness and itch relief.

What are the side effects Promethazine?

Promethazine tablets can cause the following side effects. Although not everyone will suffer these since every person responds to medication differently.

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Nightmares
• Blurred Vision
• Dry Mouth

How does Promethazine work?

Promethazine tablets contain an antihistamine called promethazine. Antihistamines work by blocking the histamine receptors in your brain. Histamine is responsible for trigger inflammatory processes in the body which can cause redness and inflammation.

Can I drink alcohol when taking Promethazine?

Alcohol should be avoided when taking this medication, as this could worsen the effects of drowsiness.
How long can I take Promethazine for?
Promethazine should not be taken for more than 10 days without advice from your doctor.

Is Promethazine addictive?

Promethazine is not addictive in the way other sleeping tablets may be. However, it is not advisable to take long term for sleep disorders as you may develop an unhealthy reliance on its use. For sleep disturbances which last for more than 3 nights, see your doctor for advice. 

Can I take Promethazine with pain killers?

Yes, it's okay to take Promethazine with pain killers which are available over the counter such as paracetamol (Panadol), and Ibuprofen (Nurofen). Some pharmacy medicines however may also contain codeine or dihydrocodeine. These pain killers can cause drowsiness, and if taken with Promethazine can increase effects of drowsiness experienced. Until you know how these medicines affect you, avoid driving or using machinery.

As with any medication, side effects are a possibility when using this medicine. The active ingredient Promethazine can cause the following side effects. 

• Drowsiness
• Dizziness
• Headaches
• Nightmares
• Blurred Vision
• Dry Mouth

More serious side effects include yellowing of your skin / eyes. If this happens to you, seek medical advice, as this could indicate there are problems with your liver. Another more serious side effect is if you notice excessive bruising or bleeding while using Promethazine. Again, this should be reported to your GP. Another reportable side effect is if you experience shaking or severe stiffness in your muscles, or involuntary movements in other parts of your body, particularly your face. 

Finally, should you experience an anaphylactic reaction to Promethazine, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of this include difficulty breathing, severe swelling of your tongue, lips or face and severe rashes which may blister or peel.

Before taking any medication, it is important to read the Patient Information Leaflet. You can find information leaflets for your medicines by typing them into the search bar at medicines.org, or by contacting us.

For allergies (such as hay fever, rashes and hives)

Children 5-10 years:
• A single tablet (25mg) given at night
• DO NOT give more than 25mg each day

Children over 10 years and adults (including the elderly):
• Start with one tablet (25mg) taken at night
• This may be increased to a maximum of one tablet (25mg) twice a day if necessary

For treatment and prevention of feeling sick or being sick (such as travel sickness) 

Children 5-10 years:
• Promethazine 10mg Tablets should be given in this age group

Children over 10 years and adults
(including the elderly):
• A single tablet (25 mg) to be taken the night before the journey
• This may be repeated after 6-8 hours if necessary as a short term paediatric sedative and for short term treatment of insomnia in adults

Do not take this medicine, and tell your doctor, if you are taking or have taken the following in the last 2 weeks:
• Some medicines for depression called monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs).

If you are not sure ask your doctor or pharmacist

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking any of the following:
• Anticholinergic medicines – includes some medicines used for irritable bowel syndrome, asthma or weak bladder.
These can increase the risk of dizziness, dry mouth and blurred eyesight
• Medicines for depression (such as amitriptyline)
• Medicines to help you to sleep or feel more relaxed (such as diazepam or zolpidem)
• Medicines such as aspirin (for arthritis and pain in your joints). Promethazine Tablets may hide the side effects of these medicines

Promethazine Tablets with food and drink
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking Promethazine Tablets. This is because it can affect the way the medicine works.

Pregnancy and breast-feeding
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking this medicine if you are pregnant, might become pregnant, or think you may be pregnant. Promethazine Tablets should not be taken 2 weeks before birth. You should not take Promethazine Tablets if you are breast-feeding. This is because small amounts may pass into mothers’ milk. This can be harmful to your baby. If you are breast-feeding or planning to breast-feed, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking any medicine.

Driving and using machines
You may feel drowsy or sleepy after taking this medicine or the morning after taking this medicine. If this happens, do not drive or use any tools or machines.

Promethazine Tablets contains lactose:
• This is a type of sugar. If you have been told by your doctor that you cannot tolerate or digest some sugars (have an intolerance to some sugars), talk to your doctor before taking this medicine

Each tablet contains 25mg of the active substance, promethazine hydrochloride.

See patient information leaflet for full list of ingredients.