Kezia Cochran
Phenergan, or Promethazine, is an antihistamine used to treat nausea and vomiting related to certain conditions, such as motion sickness, before/after surgery, or morning sickness during pregnancy. It is also used to treat allergic symptoms such as rashes, itching, and a runny nose. While Phenergan can be beneficial for managing these conditions, it is important to carefully consider the potential risks and benefits before taking this medication during pregnancy. Phenergan has been associated with a risk of respiratory depression in newborns if used late in pregnancy. It is recommended to consult with healthcare providers to discuss the benefits of treating the condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | Phenergan should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. |
| Miscarriage | One small study did not report an increased chance of miscarriage in people taking Phenergan. |
| Birth Defects | Phenergan is not expected to increase the chance of birth defects above the background risk. |
| Pregnancy-Related Problems | It is not known if Phenergan can cause other pregnancy-related problems, such as preterm delivery or low birth weight. |
| Future Learning or Behavior | It is not known if Phenergan increases the chance of behavior or learning issues. |
| Breastfeeding | Phenergan may reduce how much milk a person makes. |
What You'll Learn
Phenergan's effects on the fetus
Phenergan, or Promethazine, is an antihistamine used to treat nausea and vomiting related to certain conditions, such as motion sickness, before/after surgery, or morning sickness during pregnancy. It is also used to treat allergic symptoms such as a rash, itching, and a runny nose.
Phenergan is considered a Pregnancy Category C drug, which means that it should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. There is no evidence that Phenergan increases the risk of miscarriage, and based on the studies reviewed, it is not expected to increase the chance of birth defects above the normal background risk of 3-5%.
However, using Phenergan late in pregnancy might increase the chance of slowed breathing (respiratory depression) in newborns. It is important that healthcare providers are aware if pregnant women are taking Phenergan so that appropriate care can be provided to the baby if respiratory depression occurs. Phenergan has also been associated with an increased risk of cleft lip and palate in newborns, but this finding was not supported by subsequent studies.
Phenergan may also cause other side effects in pregnant women, including drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, blurred vision, or dry mouth. It may also make women more sensitive to sunlight and more susceptible to heat stroke.
In summary, while Phenergan may be prescribed during pregnancy, it is important to carefully consider the potential risks and benefits, and it should only be used when clearly needed. Pregnant women should discuss the risks and benefits with their doctors and should not stop or change their medication without consulting a healthcare provider.
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Phenergan's effects on the mother
Phenergan, or Promethazine, is an antihistamine used to treat nausea and vomiting related to certain conditions, such as motion sickness, before/after surgery, or morning sickness during pregnancy. It is also used to treat allergic symptoms such as a rash, itching, and a runny nose.
Phenergan is considered safe to take during pregnancy, but only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the foetus. It is categorised as a Pregnancy Category C drug, meaning that teratogenic effects have not been demonstrated in rat-feeding studies. However, daily doses of 25mg/kg intraperitoneally have been found to produce fetal mortality in rats.
Phenergan should be used during pregnancy only when clearly needed and after discussing the risks and benefits with a doctor. It is unknown whether Phenergan is excreted in human milk, but due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, a decision should be made whether to discontinue nursing or the drug.
Phenergan has been shown to be more effective than a placebo in reducing nausea in pregnant women. It is also approved for the treatment of nausea and vomiting and can be prescribed by a doctor. However, it is important to note that only a few studies have looked into the effectiveness of Phenergan when used specifically to treat severe pregnancy-related nausea and vomiting.
Phenergan's side effects include drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, blurred vision, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, and jaundice. It may also cause serious side effects such as neuroleptic malignant syndrome, which can be potentially fatal.
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Phenergan's effects on the mother's ability to breastfeed
Phenergan, or Promethazine, is an antihistamine used to treat nausea and vomiting, motion sickness, sedation, vertigo, and allergies. It is not known whether Phenergan is excreted in breast milk, but it is possible that it could be. Due to the potential for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants, it is recommended that a decision be made, in consultation with a healthcare provider, to either discontinue nursing or the drug.
Phenergan has not been studied for use while breastfeeding. However, it is known to cause sleepiness in adults, and it may do the same for a nursing baby. If a baby exhibits symptoms of sleepiness and lack of energy, it is recommended to contact the child's healthcare provider. Additionally, it is possible that Phenergan could reduce the amount of milk a person makes. If a mother is having trouble producing milk, it is advised that she talks with her healthcare provider or a lactation specialist.
It is important to note that this information should not replace medical advice from a healthcare provider. Before making any decisions regarding medication and breastfeeding, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional.
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Phenergan's effects when combined with other drugs
Phenergan (Promethazine) may interact with a wide range of drugs, including:
- Cold or allergy medicine
- Sedatives
- Narcotics
- Sleeping pills
- Muscle relaxers
- Seizure medications
- Antidepressants
- Anxiety medicines
- Lithium
- Atropine
- Belladonna
- Benztropine
- Dimenhydrinate
- Methscopolamine
- Scopolamine
- Blood pressure medications
- Blood thinners
- Bronchodilators
- Bladder or urinary medications
- MAO inhibitors
- Medicines to treat Parkinson's disease, restless leg syndrome, or pituitary gland tumours
- Medicines to treat stomach ulcers or irritable bowel syndrome
Phenergan may also increase, prolong, or intensify the sedative action of other central nervous system depressants, such as alcohol, sedatives, hypnotics, narcotics, narcotic analgesics, general anaesthetics, tricyclic antidepressants, and tranquilizers.
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Phenergan's side effects
Phenergan, or Promethazine, is an antihistamine used to treat nausea and vomiting related to certain conditions, such as motion sickness, before/after surgery, or morning sickness during pregnancy. It is also used to treat allergic symptoms such as a rash, itching, and a runny nose.
Phenergan is available as a generic drug and is typically administered orally or rectally. The average adult dose is 25 mg taken twice daily, and it is recommended that it be taken with food to avoid an upset stomach.
Central Nervous System
- Drowsiness
- Sedation
- Somnolence
- Blurred vision
- Dizziness
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Extrapyramidal symptoms (e.g., oculogyric crisis, torticollis, tongue protrusion)
- Lassitude
- Tinnitus
- Incoordination
- Fatigue
- Euphoria
- Nervousness
- Diplopia
- Insomnia
- Tremors
- Convulsive seizures
- Excitation
- Catatonic-like states
- Hallucinations
Cardiovascular
- Increased or decreased blood pressure
- Tachycardia
- Bradycardia
- Faintness
Dermatologic
- Dermatitis
- Photosensitivity
- Urticaria
Hematologic
- Leukopenia
- Thrombocytopenia
- Thrombocytopenic purpura
- Agranulocytosis
Gastrointestinal
- Dry mouth
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Jaundice
Respiratory
- Asthma
- Nasal stuffiness
- Respiratory depression (potentially fatal)
- Apnea (potentially fatal)
Other
- Angioneurotic edema
- Neuroleptic malignant syndrome (potentially fatal)
It is important to note that Phenergan may not be safe for use during pregnancy and breastfeeding. While studies have shown that it does not increase the risk of birth defects, it may cause slowed breathing in newborns if used late in pregnancy. Additionally, it is unknown whether Phenergan is excreted in human milk, and it may cause serious adverse reactions in nursing infants. Therefore, it is crucial to consult a healthcare provider before taking Phenergan during pregnancy or breastfeeding to weigh the potential benefits against the risks.
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Frequently asked questions
Phenergan should be used during pregnancy only if the potential benefit justifies the potential risk to the fetus. It is recommended that you consult your healthcare provider before making any changes to your medication.
Phenergan is an antihistamine used to treat nausea and vomiting related to certain conditions (e.g. motion sickness, before/after surgery). It is also used to treat allergic symptoms such as a rash, itching, and a runny nose.
Common side effects of Phenergan include ringing in your ears, swelling in your hands or feet, trouble having an orgasm, drowsiness, dizziness, constipation, blurred vision, or dry mouth.
Serious side effects include nausea/vomiting that doesn't stop, fainting, slow heartbeat, mental/mood changes (such as hallucinations, nervousness, irritability), unusual/uncontrolled movements (such as fixed upward stare, neck twisting, tongue movements), shaking (tremor), and difficulty urinating.
Using Phenergan late in pregnancy might increase the chance of slowed breathing (respiratory depression) in newborns. It is important that your healthcare providers know you are taking Phenergan so that if respiratory depression occurs, your baby can receive appropriate care.
