What is dextromethorphan and promethazine?
Dextromethorphan is a cough suppressant. It affects the signals in the brain that trigger cough reflex.
Promethazine is an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in your body.
The combination of dextromethorphan and promethazine used to treat cough, itching, runny nose, sneezing, and itchy or watery eyes caused by colds or allergies.
Dextromethorphan will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.
Dextromethorphan and promethazine may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about dextromethorphan?
Call your doctor immediately if you experience uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs. These could be early signs of dangerous side effects.
Always ask a doctor before giving a cough or cold medicine to a child. Death can occur from the misuse of cough and cold medicines in very young children.
Do not use dextromethorphan and promethazine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take dextromethorphan and promethazine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Do not use any other over-the-counter cough, cold, or allergy medication without first asking your doctor or pharmacist. If you take certain products together you may accidentally take too much of one or more types of medicine. Read the label of any other medicine you are using to see if it contains dextromethorphan.
Dextromethorphan will not treat a cough that is caused by smoking, asthma, or emphysema.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking dextromethorphan and promethazine?
Do not use dextromethorphan and promethazine if you have asthma or other lung disease.
Do not use a cough or cold medicine if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) within the past 14 days. Serious, life-threatening side effects can occur if you take a cough or cold medicine before the MAO inhibitor has cleared from your body.
Before taking dextromethorphan and promethazine, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have emphysema or chronic bronchitis. You may not be able to use this medication, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
Before taking dextromethorphan and promethazine, tell your doctor if you have:
epilepsy or another seizure disorder;
emphysema or chronic bronchitis;
sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep);
glaucoma;
a stomach ulcer or digestive obstruction;
bone marrow disorder;
problems with urination;
high blood pressure or heart disease; or
liver disease.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use dextromethorphan and promethazine, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether this medication passes into breast milk or if it could harm an unborn baby. Do not use dextromethorphan and promethazine without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.