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.
Phenergan (promethazine) is now contraindicated in children younger than 2 years because of possible fatal respiratory depression and should be used cautiously in other pediatric patients, according to a new black box warning recently requested by the Food and Drug Administration. The agency requested that the black box warning be added to Phenergan's label after a review of the drug's pediatric adverse events.
STORAGE: Tablets, syrup and injection should be stored at room temperature between 15-25 C (68-77 F). Suppositories should be stored at 2-8 C (36-46 F).
|
