Codeine is a narcotic. It is a pain reliever and a cough suppressant.

Promethazine is an antihistamine. It blocks the effects of the naturally occurring chemical histamine in your body.

Phenylephrine is a decongestant that shrinks blood vessels in the nasal passages. Dilated blood vessels can cause nasal congestion (stuffy nose).

The combination of codeine, phenylephrine, and promethazine is used to treat cold or allergy symptoms such as stuffy nose, sneezing, and cough.

Codeine, phenylephrine, and promethazine may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions before you start taking this medication. You should not use this medication if you are allergic to codeine, phenylephrine, or promethazine, or if you have high blood pressure, a blood vessel disorder, or asthma.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 6 years old.

Do not use this medication if you have taken an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.

Codeine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Never share codeine, phenylephrine, and promethazine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

There are many other drugs that can interact with codeine, phenylephrine, and promethazine. Tell your doctor about all medications you use. This includes prescription, over-the-counter, vitamin, and herbal products. Do not start a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list of all your medicines and show it to any healthcare provider who treats you.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to codeine, phenylephrine, or promethazine, or if you have high blood pressure, a blood vessel disorder, or asthma.

Do not give this medication to a child younger than 6 years old.

Do not use this medication if you have used an MAO inhibitor such as furazolidone (Furoxone), isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam, Zelapar), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days. A dangerous drug interaction could occur, leading to serious side effects.

To make sure you can safely take codeine, phenylephreine, and promethazine, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• sleep apnea (breathing stops during sleep);

• chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);

• glaucoma;

• epilepsy or other seizure disorder;

• stomach ulcer, intestinal disorder, or digestive obstruction;

• recent stomach or urinary tract surgery;

• a weak immune system;

• Addison's disease;

• diabetes;

• a thyroid disorder;

• enlarged prostate, problems with urination;

• heart disease, poor circulation;

• liver or kidney disease; or

• a head injury or brain tumor.

Codeine may be habit-forming and should be used only by the person it was prescribed for. Never share codeine, phenylephrine, and promethazine with another person, especially someone with a history of drug abuse or addiction. Keep the medication in a place where others cannot get to it.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Codeine may cause addiction or withdrawal symptoms in a newborn if the mother takes the medication during pregnancy. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medicine.

Codeine can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. The use of codeine by some nursing mothers may lead to life-threatening side effects in the baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.