Codeine; Phenylephrine; Promethazine oral syrup

What is codeine; phenylephrine; promethazine oral syrup?

CODEINE; PHENYLEPHRINE; PROMETHAZINE (Phenergan® VC w/Codeine and others) helps to stop or reduce coughing due to colds or allergies. Federal law prohibits the transfer of codeine to any person other than the patient for whom it was prescribed. Do not share this medicine with anyone else.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• asthma, emphysema, COPD, sleep apnea, or other lung disease

• bladder problems

• bone marrow suppression

• blood vessel disease or arteriosclerosis

• brain disorders such as a history of stroke, aneurysm, or brain hemorrhage

• diabetes

• glaucoma

• heart disease or heart rhythm problems

• history of drug abuse

• kidney disease

• liver disease

• other serious illness

• prostate trouble

• recent head trauma

• seizure disorder

• smoker

• stomach or intestinal problems, like severe constipation

• thyroid disease

• wear contact lenses

• an unusual or allergic reaction to codeine, phenylephrine, promethazine, phenothiazines, sulfites, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives

• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

• breast-feeding

How should I take this medicine?

Take this syrup by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Use a specially marked spoon or container to measure your medicine. Ask your pharmacist if you do not have one; household spoons are not always accurate. Take your doses at regular intervals. You may take this medicine with food or milk if it upsets your stomach. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed. This medicine should not be given to children younger than 16 years old.

Elderly patients over 65 years old may have a stronger reaction to this medicine and need smaller doses.

Do not share this medicine with anyone.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take extra or double doses.

What drug(s) may interact with codeine; phenylephrine; promethazine?

• alcohol and alcohol-containing medicines

• amantadine

• amphetamine or other stimulant drugs

• barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)

• bromocriptine

• cabergoline

• caffeine

• cocaine

• doxercalciferol

• furazolidone

• linezolid

• medicines for chest pain, heart disease, high blood pressure or heart rhythm problems

• medicines for colds, allergies, hay fever, or breathing difficulties

• medicines for diabetes

• medicines known as MAO inhibitors, such as phenelzine (Nardil®), tranylcypromine (Parnate®), isocarboxazid (Marplan®), and selegiline (Carbex®, Eldepryl®)

• medicines for mental depression, anxiety, or other mental disturbances

• medicines for migraine

• medicines for movement abnormalities as in Parkinson's disease

• medicines for pain such as codeine, hydrocodone, meperidine, methadone, morphine, oxycodone, propoxyphene, and tramadol

• muscle relaxants

• porfimer

• procarbazine

• sleeping pills or tranquilizers

• some medicines for bladder or gastrointestinal problems (such as atropine, dicyclomine, glycopyrrolate, hyoscyamine, or propantheline)

• some medicines for weight loss (including some herbal products, stimulant drugs, ephedrine, or dextroamphetamine)

• St. John's wort

• theophylline

• thyroid hormones

• vasopressin, ADH

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What should I watch for while taking codeine; phenylephrine; promethazine?

Tell your prescriber or health care professional if your symptoms do not improve. If you have a high fever, skin rash, or persistent headache as well as a cough, see your prescriber or health care professional.

Use exactly as directed by your prescriber or health care professional. If you are taking this drug on a regular basis, do not suddenly stop taking it. Your prescriber may want to slowly lower your dose.

You may get drowsy or dizzy when you first start taking this medicine. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly, this reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. The drowsiness should decrease after taking this medicine for a couple of days. Alcohol can increase possible drowsiness, dizziness, confusion from this medicine. Avoid alcohol while taking this medicine.

Your mouth may get dry. Drinking plenty of water, chewing sugarless gum or sucking on hard candy may help to relieve dry mouth symptoms.

This medicine may cause dry eyes and blurred vision. If you wear contact lenses you may feel some discomfort. Lubricating drops may help. See your ophthalmologist if the problem does not go away or is severe.

Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen. Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths while taking this medicine.

If you are receiving skin tests for allergies, tell your physician you are using a product which contains promethazine (an antihistamine).

If you are diabetic, check your blood-sugar levels regularly.

If you are going to have surgery, a medical procedure, or diagnostic testing (myelography), tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking this medicine.

What side effects may I notice from taking codeine; phenylephrine; promethazine?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:

Rare, but serious side effects include:

• confusion

• chest pain or palpitations

• difficulty breathing or shortness of breath

• fever or chills, sore throat, mouth sores

• seizures or convulsions

• severe, sudden, or persistent headache

• sexual dysfunction

• unusual bleeding or bruising

• yellowing of the skin or eyes

Infrequent:

• agitation, anxiety, excitement, irritability, nervousness or restlessness (more common in children)

• blurred vision or change in vision

• increased or decreased blood pressure

• increased sweating

• irregular, slow, or fast heartbeat

• pain or difficulty passing urine

• rash or reddening of the skin

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• constipation

• drowsiness or dizziness

• dry mouth

• headache

• loss of appetite

• nausea, vomiting, or stomach upset

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open. Avoid accidental swallowing of codeine by someone (especially children) other than the person for whom it was prescribed as this may result in severe effects and possibly death.

Store at room temperature between 15 and 30 degrees C (59 and 86 degrees F). Protect from light. Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.