Patient/caregiver was educated on the side-effects of using Promethazine as follows:
Genitourinary side-effects
- Promethazine use can result in difficulty emptying the bladder and passing urine. This can result in urinary retention and increased risk for UTIs. Individuals with history of prostate enlargement and consequent difficulty passing urine can be at increased discomfort with emptying the bladder, secondary to promethazine intake.
Metabolic side-effects
- Promethazine carries the risk of aggravating blood sugars and can result in poor blood sugar control in diabetics. Diabetic individuals taking promethazine, secondary to hyperglycemia, can present with episodes of confusion, dry mouth, frequent urination, increased thirst and hunger, dry skin, and blurred vision. Closely follow for these signs and any consistently elevated blood sugar readings, to be reported to your physician.
Musculoskeletal side-effects
- Promethazine carries the risk of inducing/aggravating tremors and abnormal body movements or dyskinesias, such as, uncontrolled tongue movements, lip smacking, and eye blinking.
- Promethazine also can induce a life-threatening reaction called Neuroleptic malignant syndrome. Individuals taking promethazine can present with findings such as, high fever, episodes of confusion, muscle rigidity, elevated blood pressure and rapid heart rate. Severe cases can present with muscle breakdown, elevated potassium levels in the blood due to muscle destruction, life-threatening cardiac arrhythmias due to the elevated blood potassium, and seizures.
