SIDE EFFECTS: Promethazine often causes sedation. In children less than two it can depress respiration and lead to death. Therefore, it should not be used in children less than two years old. Dizziness may also occur. Ironically, promethazine sometimes stimulates patients, particularly children. Such stimulation may be manifest by restlessness, inability to sleep, heart palpitations or even seizures. Promethazine also causes anticholinergic side effects such as blurred vision, dry mouth, dilated pupils, nausea, urinary retention (inability to urinate), impotence, and constipation.
Phenothiazines such as promethazine block dopamine receptors. This effect can lead to increases in blood levels of prolactin, a hormone involved in lactation (formation of breast milk). As a result, phenothiazines can cause the breast to produce fluid ("milk") even when a woman is not pregnant. Additionally, phenothiazines can cause missed menstrual periods, breast enlargement or tenderness, loss of sexual drive, impotence, inability to ejaculate, and priapism. Weight gain also may occur.
Call your doctor immediately if you experience twitching or uncontrollable movements of your eyes, lips, tongue, face, arms, or legs. These could be early signs of dangerous side effects.
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