Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Promethazine as follows:
General allergic reactions
- Promethazine use can result in general allergic reactions, such as, skin rashes, hives, and itching.
- Some patients can present with symptoms of severe allergic and anaphylactic response with promethazine, such as, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, throat, and tongue, with consequent difficulty breathing. Seek emergency medical help for such findings, especially with difficulty breathing, for any appropriate measures to be considered.
Vision changes
- Promethazine use can result in obstruction to the drainage of fluid (aqueous humor) in the eye. This can result in increase in the intraocular pressure, leading to glaucoma. Individuals can present with eye pain, headache, and blurred vision with haloes around light.
Gastrointestinal side-effects
- Promethazine can also induce extreme dry mouth and constipation. Sucking on a sugar free hard candy or ice chips can help with symptomatic relief of dry mouth. Proper hydration measures and compliance with daily fluid intake recommendations can help with relief from constipation. Observe compliance with intake of prescribed laxative/stool softener, if any. If you experience any bothersome constipation, report it to your physician for further recommendations. Observing compliance with fiber intake recommendations in the diet can also help with preventing episodes of constipation with the medication.
