Actavis Promethazine Codeine

How to use Promethazine codeine syrup dosage

Read the Medication Guide provided by your pharmacist before you start taking codeine/promethazine and each time you get a refill. If you have any questions, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually every 4 to 6 hours as needed with a full glass of water (8 ounces or 240 milliliters) or as directed by your doctor. This medication can be taken with food if stomach upset occurs. Drink plenty of fluids when you use this medication unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Use a medication-measuring device to carefully measure the prescribed dose. Do not use a household spoon.

Do not increase your dose or use this product more often or for longer than prescribed. Your condition will not improve any faster, and your risk of side effects will increase.

Other Uses

In such cases, withdrawal symptoms (such as anxiety, restlessness, sweating, shaking chills, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea) may occur if you suddenly stop using this medication. To prevent withdrawal reactions, your doctor may reduce your dose gradually. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more details, and report any withdrawal reactions right away.

Though it helps many people, this medication has a risk for abuse and may sometimes cause addiction. This risk may be higher if you have a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol). Take this medication exactly as prescribed to lower the risk of addiction. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details.

When used for an extended time, this medication may not work as well and may require different dosing. Talk with your doctor if this medication stops working well.

Tell your doctor if your condition persists for more than 1 week, if it worsens, or if it occurs with fever, rash, or persistent headache.

Side Effects

See also Warning section.

Drowsiness, dizziness, headache, lightheadedness, blurred vision, upset stomach, nausea, constipation, or dry mouth may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

This medication can dry up and thicken mucus in your lungs, making it more difficult to breathe and clear your lungs. To help prevent this effect, drink plenty of fluids unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

Other Side effects

Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: involuntary behaviors/movements (e.g., fixed upward stare, neck twisting, tongue movements), mental/mood changes (e.g., hallucinations, confusion), ringing in the ears, shaking (tremors), trouble urinating, weakness.

Seek immediate medical attention if any of these rare but very serious side effects occur: easy bruising/bleeding, slow heartbeat, persistent nausea/vomiting, severe abdominal pain, yellowing eyes/skin, seizure.

Codeine is changed into a strong narcotic drug (morphine) in your body. In some people, this change happens faster and more completely than usual, which increases the risk of very seriousside effects. Get medical help right away if you notice any of the following: slow/shallow breathing, severe drowsiness/difficulty waking up, confusion.

This medication may rarely cause a very serious condition called neuroleptic malignant syndrome (NMS). Get medical help right away if you have any of the following symptoms: fever, muscle stiffness/pain/tenderness/weakness, severe tiredness, severe confusion, sweating, fast/irregular heartbeat, dark urine, signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine).

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other side effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions of Promethazine codeine syrup dosage

See also Warning section.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to any of its ingredients; or to narcotic pain relievers (e.g., morphine); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: abdominal problems (e.g., chronic constipation, ileus, pancreatitis), gallbladder disease, adrenal gland problem (e.g., Addison’s disease), blood/immune system problems (e.g., bone marrow depression), brain disorders (e.g., seizures, head injury, tumor, increased intracranial pressure), breathing problems (e.g., asthma, emphysema, sleep apnea), diabetes, glaucoma, heart problems (e.g., angina, irregular heartbeat), high blood pressure, liver disease, mental/mood problems (e.g., depression, psychosis), obesity, a certain spinal problem (kyphoscoliosis), stomach/intestinal problems (e.g., ulcers, blockage), thyroid disease, trouble urinating (e.g., due to enlarged prostate or urethral stricture), personal or family history of a substance use disorder (such as overuse of or addiction to drugs/alcohol).

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Avoid alcoholic beverages.

Other Precautions

To reduce dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor right away if you get sunburned or have skin blisters/redness.

This medication may contain sugar and/or alcohol. Caution is advised if you have diabetes, alcohol dependence, or liver disease. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about using this product safely.

Some children may be more sensitive to very serious side effects of the codeine in this product, such as extreme sleepiness, confusion, or slow/shallow/noisy breathing. (See also Warning section.)

Older adults may be more sensitive to the side effects of this drug, especially confusion, dizziness, drowsiness, constipation, trouble urinating, and slow/shallow breathing. Confusion, dizziness, and drowsiness can increase the risk of falling.

MORE PRECAUTIONS

Before using this medication, women of childbearing age should talk with their doctor(s) about the risks and benefits. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you plan to become pregnant. During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may slightly increase the risk of birth defects if used during the first two months of pregnancy. Also, using it for a long time or in high doses near the expected delivery date may harm the unborn baby. To lessen the risk, take the smallest effective dose for the shortest possible time. Tell the doctor right away if you notice any symptoms in your newborn baby such as slow/shallow breathing, irritability, abnormal/persistent crying, vomiting, or diarrhea.

This medication passes into breast milk and may rarely have undesirable effects on a nursing infant, such as unusual sleepiness, difficulty feeding, trouble breathing, or unusual limpness. Breast-feeding while using this drug is not recommended. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.