Promethazine, created in the mid-1940s by a team of scientists working for a French pharmaceutical company called Rhône-Poulenc, is a medication currently used to treat ailments like allergies and motion sickness and sedate women during labor.
Like many other medications, promethazine can cause dependence among a variety of other symptoms. Our substance abuse treatment center in Stuart, FL, is sharing promethazine side effects and how this drug works in the body.
What Is Promethazine Hydrochloride?
Promethazine hydrochloride is an antihistamine and a prescription drug. It is used to treat ailments including allergy symptoms, motions sickness, and nausea felt after surgery. It’s also used as a sedative and sleep aid. Promethazine is part of a drug class called phenothiazines. As an antihistamine, promethazine works by blocking a natural substance called histamine. When the body comes in contact with allergens, histamine is produced by the immune system. Promethazine blocks allergy symptoms caused by histamine release – such as a runny nose and itchy eyes – that can be uncomfortable and make sleeping difficult. It attaches itself to H1-receptors in the brain to block histamine from binding to them instead. Promethazine can also be used to help you relax before or after surgery. It can also be used to supplement the side effects of pain relievers like meperidine.
What Are the Side Effects of Promethazine DM?
The most common promethazine effects include:
- Relaxed and sedated
- False or unusual sense of well-being
- Excessive sweating
- Fatigue or weakness
- Dizziness
- Lack of coordination
- Lack of strength or energy
- Muscle pain or weakness
- Swelling
- Difficulties sleeping
In addition to its needed side effects, promethazine can produce some adverse effects, as well. While not all of these promethazine hydrochloride side effects may occur, those that do often require medical attention.
More serious promethazine DM side effects include:
- Uncontrollable movements
- Seizures or convulsions
- Difficulties breathing or rapid breathing
- Increased or irregular heartbeat
- Loss of bladder control
- Muscle stiffness
- High fever
- Pale, blistered, dry, irritated, itchy, or red skin
- Ringing or buzzing in the ears
- Loss of hearing
- Extremely high or low blood pressure
- Hallucinations
- Abnormal heartbeat
- Increased sensitivity to sunlight in the skin
- Chest pains
- Dizziness
- Fainting
- Fevers
- Infections
- Angioedema (build-up of fluid in and underneath the skin)
- Vomiting
- Swelling in the face, hands, or feet
- Hives
- Jaundice (yellowing of the whites of the eyes, skin, and dark or brown-colored urine)
Certain drugs and medications should not be taken with promethazine, including certain antidepressants, anxiety medications, muscle relaxants, and painkillers. The side effects of promethazine pills also include addiction. Although it’s not a controlled substance, promethazine has the potential for abuse, though many people underestimate the harm it can cause because it’s an antihistamine. The risk of abuse especially increases when mixed with drugs like codeine, a combination known as “lean” or “purple drank.” People sometimes mix cough syrups and other prescription drugs to experience a sedative high. Promethazine, which is widely accessible, is more popularly abused than other, harder drugs like oxycodone. Individuals who become addicted to mixtures that include opioids and other prescription drugs should get prescription pill addiction treatment to prevent further physical and psychological repercussions.
How long promethazine stays in a person’s system is dependent on the dose they take, whether they mixed it with other substances, and their overall physical condition. Promethazine side effects also include overdose, which is marked by potentially life-threatening symptoms like depression, overactive reflexes, difficulties sleeping, unconsciousness, and sudden death. The risk of overdose increases in individuals who either drink cough syrup drug mixtures or take promethazine with other substances. This drug can also cause withdrawal symptoms, and those with a promethazine addiction may require treatment like our medical drug detox in Florida to avoid any health complications.
Whether it’s a controlled substance or not, drug abuse is no joke. If you or someone you know needs addiction treatment, call Banyan Detox Stuart now at 888-280-4763 to learn how our Stuart rehab programs can help.
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